2 AWG Wire Specs
Ampacity, geometry, resistance, conduit fill and maximum run length for 2 AWG conductors in copper and aluminium.
Quick answer
2 AWG copper carries about 108 A at 75 °C (92 A at 60 °C, 122 A at 90 °C). The bare conductor is 0.2576 in (6.54 mm) and 66,371 circular mils, with 0.1563 Ω per 1000 ft. It pairs with a 100 A breaker at 75 °C terminations.
Copper 75 °C
108A
Aluminium 75 °C
84A
Diameter
0.2576in
Circular mils
66,371
Full specification
| Size designation | 2 AWG |
|---|---|
| AWG gauge number | 2 |
| Circular mils | 66,371 |
| kcmil | 66.37 |
| Bare diameter (in) | 0.2576 |
| Bare diameter (mm) | 6.543 |
| Cross-section (mm²) | 33.62 |
| THHN/THWN-2 OD (in) | 0.384 |
| Insulated area (sq in) | 0.1158 |
| Copper resistance (Ω/1000 ft) | 0.1563 |
| Aluminium resistance (Ω/1000 ft) | 0.2561 |
| Max standard breaker (Cu, 75 °C) | 100 A |
Published standard — source: Geometry computed from the ASTM B258 AWG formula; resistance from standard resistivityFormula estimate — source: Ampacity from the site model
Ampacity with derating
Estimated ampacity from the 90 °C column at various ambient temperatures and conductor counts.
| Conductors in raceway | 30 °C ambient | 40 °C ambient | 50 °C ambient | 60 °C ambient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 122 A | 111 A | 100 A | 86 A |
| 6 | 98 A | 89 A | 80 A | 69 A |
| 9 | 85 A | 78 A | 70 A | 60 A |
| 15 | 61 A | 56 A | 50 A | 43 A |
| 25 | 55 A | 50 A | 45 A | 39 A |
Source & method: The governing value is also capped by the termination rating, commonly 75 °C, which for this size is 108 A. Run your own conditions.
Maximum run length at 3% voltage drop
One-way distance for 2 AWG copper before drop exceeds 3%.
| Load | 120 V 1Ø | 240 V 1Ø | 208 V 3Ø | 480 V 3Ø |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 A | 926 ft | 1,852 ft | 1,853 ft | 4,277 ft |
| 15 A | 617 ft | 1,234 ft | 1,235 ft | 2,851 ft |
| 20 A | 463 ft | 926 ft | 926 ft | 2,138 ft |
| 30 A | 308 ft | 617 ft | 617 ft | 1,425 ft |
| 40 A | 231 ft | 463 ft | 463 ft | 1,069 ft |
| 50 A | 185 ft | 370 ft | 370 ft | 855 ft |
How many 2 AWG conductors fit in conduit
Maximum count of this size alone, at the fill percentage matching the resulting count.
| Conduit | 1/2" | 3/4" | 1" | 1-1/4" | 1-1/2" | 2" | 2-1/2" | 3" | 3-1/2" | 4" |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EMT | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 11 | 20 | 30 | 39 | 50 |
| IMC | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 17 | 27 | 36 | 47 |
| RMC | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 11 | 16 | 25 | 34 | 44 |
| PVC Sch 40 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 16 | 25 | 33 | 43 |
| PVC Sch 80 | — | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 22 | 30 | 38 |
Neighbouring sizes
Frequently asked
- How many amps can 2 AWG wire carry?
- 2 AWG copper is estimated at 92 A at 60 °C, 108 A at 75 °C and 122 A at 90 °C, at 30 °C ambient with no more than three current-carrying conductors. Aluminium of the same size is about 84 A at 75 °C.
- What breaker size goes with 2 AWG copper?
- The largest standard overcurrent device that 2 AWG copper supports at 75 °C is 100 A. For a continuous load, the load itself must not exceed 80% of that rating.
- What is the diameter of 2 AWG wire?
- The bare conductor is 0.2576 inches (6.543 mm) in diameter, which is 66,371 circular mils. With THHN/THWN-2 insulation the nominal outside diameter is about 0.384 inches.
- What is the resistance of 2 AWG wire?
- About 0.1563 ohms per 1000 feet for copper and 0.2561 ohms per 1000 feet for aluminium, at 75 °C.
- How far can I run 2 AWG wire?
- Distance depends on load and voltage. At 20 A on a 120 V single-phase circuit, 2 AWG copper stays under 3% voltage drop for about 463 feet one-way. Doubling the voltage roughly doubles the allowable distance.
Materials for this size
Materials for this size
Wire, cable and terminations for 2 AWG.
- THHN/THWN-2 2 AWG copper2 AWG copperBuilding wire in the size this page covers (2 AWG copper).Check price on Amazon →
- NM-B cable 2 AWG2 AWGRomex-type cable for dry indoor branch circuits at this size.Check price on Amazon →
- Wire connectors for 2 AWG2 AWGPush-in or twist-on connectors rated for this conductor size.Check price on Amazon →
- Terminal lugs & anti-oxidantCopper-rated mechanical lugs for panel and disconnect terminations.Check price on Amazon →
Links go to Amazon search results, not a single listing — confirm ratings, insulation type and listing details before buying, and make sure the part is approved for your application.
Related charts & calculators
- Voltage Drop CalculatorPercent drop, end voltage and minimum conductor for any run length.
- Conduit Fill CalculatorFill percentage and maximum conductor count for EMT, RMC, IMC and PVC.
- Breaker Size CalculatorOvercurrent device rating and minimum conductor from load current.
- Wire Ampacity CalculatorDerated ampacity for ambient temperature and bundled conductors.
- Box Fill CalculatorVolume allowances for conductors, clamps, devices and grounds per NEC 314.16.
- Ampacity ChartEstimated allowable ampacity by conductor size, material and insulation rating.