String Gauges

String gauges are identified as a series of (typically 6) numbers, expressing the thickness of each string (in inches). A light regular (.009”–.046”) gauge, for instance, features a 0.009 in thick high E and a 0.046 in thick low E.

The following tables summarize the basic properties for some of the most popular electric guitar string gauges.

Warning

The figures for the tension of the strings are calculated assuming the nominal steel density and might be slightly inaccurate, especially for wounded strings. (If you look for string tension calculators online, you will definitely get different numbers, depending on the underlying assumptions).

Still, the tables are useful as approximate indications, and for a relative comparison between different gauges.

Summary table for a Extra super light gauge (0.008–0.038), with a standard E4-B3-G3-D3-A2-E2 tuning, assuming a 648.0 mm scale length (total tension 346.73 N, or 77.95 lb).

Note	Diameter [in]	Diameter [mm]	Frequency [Hz]	Tension [N]	Tension [lb]
E4	0.008	0.203	329.628	46.458	10.444
B3	0.010	0.254	246.942	40.740	9.159
G3	0.015	0.381	195.998	57.746	12.982
D3	0.021	0.533	146.832	63.521	14.280
A2	0.030	0.762	110.000	72.755	16.356
E2	0.038	0.965	82.407	65.514	14.728

Summary table for a Light gauge (0.009–0.042), with a standard E4-B3-G3-D3-A2-E2 tuning, assuming a 648.0 mm scale length (total tension 419.57 N, or 94.32 lb).

Note	Diameter [in]	Diameter [mm]	Frequency [Hz]	Tension [N]	Tension [lb]
E4	0.009	0.229	329.628	58.799	13.219
B3	0.011	0.279	246.942	49.296	11.082
G3	0.016	0.406	195.998	65.702	14.770
D3	0.024	0.610	146.832	82.967	18.652
A2	0.032	0.813	110.000	82.779	18.610
E2	0.042	1.067	82.407	80.032	17.992

Summary table for a Light regular gauge (0.009–0.046), with a standard E4-B3-G3-D3-A2-E2 tuning, assuming a 648.0 mm scale length (total tension 471.94 N, or 106.10 lb).

Note	Diameter [in]	Diameter [mm]	Frequency [Hz]	Tension [N]	Tension [lb]
E4	0.009	0.229	329.628	58.799	13.219
B3	0.011	0.279	246.942	49.296	11.082
G3	0.016	0.406	195.998	65.702	14.770
D3	0.026	0.660	146.832	97.370	21.890
A2	0.036	0.914	110.000	104.768	23.553
E2	0.046	1.168	82.407	96.002	21.582

Summary table for a Regular gauge (0.010–0.046), with a standard E4-B3-G3-D3-A2-E2 tuning, assuming a 648.0 mm scale length (total tension 513.75 N, or 115.50 lb).

Note	Diameter [in]	Diameter [mm]	Frequency [Hz]	Tension [N]	Tension [lb]
E4	0.010	0.254	329.628	72.591	16.319
B3	0.013	0.330	246.942	68.851	15.478
G3	0.017	0.432	195.998	74.171	16.674
D3	0.026	0.660	146.832	97.370	21.890
A2	0.036	0.914	110.000	104.768	23.553
E2	0.046	1.168	82.407	96.002	21.582

Summary table for a Regular heavy gauge (0.010–0.052), with a standard E4-B3-G3-D3-A2-E2 tuning, assuming a 648.0 mm scale length (total tension 628.39 N, or 141.27 lb).

Note	Diameter [in]	Diameter [mm]	Frequency [Hz]	Tension [N]	Tension [lb]
E4	0.010	0.254	329.628	72.591	16.319
B3	0.013	0.330	246.942	68.851	15.478
G3	0.017	0.432	195.998	74.171	16.674
D3	0.032	0.813	146.832	147.496	33.158
A2	0.042	1.067	110.000	142.600	32.058
E2	0.052	1.321	82.407	122.679	27.579

Summary table for a Medium gauge (0.011–0.049), with a standard E4-B3-G3-D3-A2-E2 tuning, assuming a 648.0 mm scale length (total tension 589.43 N, or 132.51 lb).

Note	Diameter [in]	Diameter [mm]	Frequency [Hz]	Tension [N]	Tension [lb]
E4	0.011	0.279	329.628	87.835	19.746
B3	0.014	0.356	246.942	79.851	17.951
G3	0.018	0.457	195.998	83.154	18.694
D3	0.028	0.711	146.832	112.927	25.387
A2	0.038	0.965	110.000	116.732	26.242
E2	0.049	1.245	82.407	108.932	24.489

Summary table for a Heavy gauge (0.012–0.052), with a standard E4-B3-G3-D3-A2-E2 tuning, assuming a 648.0 mm scale length (total tension 769.43 N, or 172.98 lb).

Note	Diameter [in]	Diameter [mm]	Frequency [Hz]	Tension [N]	Tension [lb]
E4	0.012	0.305	329.628	104.531	23.500
B3	0.016	0.406	246.942	104.296	23.447
G3	0.024	0.610	195.998	147.830	33.233
D3	0.032	0.813	146.832	147.496	33.158
A2	0.042	1.067	110.000	142.600	32.058
E2	0.052	1.321	82.407	122.679	27.579