What breaker size for 6 AWG wire?

6 AWG copper at 75 °C terminations supports up to a 50 A overcurrent device, based on an estimated ampacity of 59 A. Aluminium of the same size supports less: about 46 A.

How many amps can 6 AWG handle?

Estimated 50 A at 60 °C, 59 A at 75 °C and 67 A at 90 °C for copper, at 30 °C ambient with no more than three current-carrying conductors.

How does a continuous load change the breaker size?

Continuous loads are sized at 125% of the load current before rounding up to the next standard device rating, so a breaker carries no more than 80% of its rating continuously.

Can the breaker be larger than the wire ampacity?

Only in specific permitted cases such as motor and transformer circuits, where the device protects against short circuit and ground fault while overload protection is provided separately. For ordinary branch circuits, the device must not exceed the conductor ampacity after derating.

6 AWG Breaker Size & Ampacity

6 AWG copper is estimated at 59 A at 75 °C, supporting a 50 A overcurrent device. Breaker pairing and derating shown.

Quick answer

6 AWG copper pairs with a 50 A breaker at 75 °C terminations, from an estimated ampacity of 59 A. Aluminium of the same size is about 46 A. A continuous load on that circuit should not exceed 47 A, since continuous loads are sized at 125%.

Max breaker (Cu, 75 °C)

50A

Copper 60 / 75 / 90 °C

50 / 59 / 67A

Aluminium 75 °C

46A

Max continuous load

47A

Ampacity and breaker pairing

Estimated ampacity by material and insulation temperature rating, with the largest standard device each supports.

Material	60 °C	75 °C	90 °C	Max device @ 75 °C
Copper	50 A	59 A	67 A	50 A
Aluminium	39 A	46 A	52 A	45 A

Formula estimate

Derated ampacity and the device that still fits

Ambient temperature and conductor count reduce the usable ampacity before the breaker is chosen.

Conductors in raceway	30 °C ambient	40 °C ambient	50 °C ambient	60 °C ambient
3	67 A → 50 A	61 A → 50 A	55 A → 50 A	47 A → 45 A
6	54 A → 50 A	49 A → 45 A	44 A → 40 A	38 A → 35 A
9	47 A → 45 A	43 A → 40 A	38 A → 35 A	33 A → 30 A
15	34 A → 30 A	31 A → 30 A	27 A → 25 A	24 A → 20 A
25	30 A → 30 A	28 A → 25 A	25 A → 25 A	21 A → 20 A

90 °C insulation, copper, capped in practice by the 75 °C termination rating.

Source & method: Continuous-load example: a 47 A continuous load needs 59 A of design current and a 60 A device. Size your own load.

Neighbouring sizes

Smaller8 AWG44 A copper at 75 °C Larger4 AWG80 A copper at 75 °C

Frequently asked

What breaker size for 6 AWG wire?: 6 AWG copper at 75 °C terminations supports up to a 50 A overcurrent device, based on an estimated ampacity of 59 A. Aluminium of the same size supports less: about 46 A.
How many amps can 6 AWG handle?: Estimated 50 A at 60 °C, 59 A at 75 °C and 67 A at 90 °C for copper, at 30 °C ambient with no more than three current-carrying conductors.
How does a continuous load change the breaker size?: Continuous loads are sized at 125% of the load current before rounding up to the next standard device rating, so a breaker carries no more than 80% of its rating continuously.
Can the breaker be larger than the wire ampacity?: Only in specific permitted cases such as motor and transformer circuits, where the device protects against short circuit and ground fault while overload protection is provided separately. For ordinary branch circuits, the device must not exceed the conductor ampacity after derating.