All About Wire Gauges

Chart from whimsie.com 14 - 16 Gauge  Very thick wire often used as a base or frame for pieces that must hold their shapes. Use 14 to 16 gauge wire for bracelet bases, as inserts inside beaded or coiled bracelets (such as those using circular peyote or brick stitch), for beaded napkin rings and other projects requiring some sort of rigidity. 16 gauge wire is also often used for clasps and closures – depending on their style. 18 Gauge Thick wire that is ideal for making clasps or for use with beads with large holes (some lampworked beads). Can also be used for large jump rings (especially if you are using fine silver and are going to fuse them together) and chains. 20 Gauge  20 gauge wire is a good, general purpose medium size wire especially good for making jump rings, head and eye pins, earwires and smaller clasps. 22 Gauge A lightweight wire used mostly for for wirewrapping beads and odd shaped stones. Some beaders use this gauge for bead crochet or knitting. I use this gauge wire to make head and eye pins when I’m using keishi pearls. 24 Gauge A thin wire used for wirewrapping smaller beads such as crystal and pearls. This is typically the gauge wire used for most bead crochet and bead knitting projects. 26 Gauge  Extremely thin wire used for wirewrapping very small beads. I’ve seen some metalworkers use this gauge wire when making a “corset” wrap to connect several pieces of metal together. Higher gauge wires such as 28 and 30 gauge wires are used for some freeform wirewrapping as well as wire knitting and crochet. Remember - like metal and sewing needles, the larger the number the thinner the gauge. Now, go bead something.