If you're estimating freight, calculating cable tray loads, or double-checking a spool before it goes on the truck, this page has the numbers: weight charts for bare copper, THHN, XHHW-2, and aluminum wire, from 14 AWG through 1000 kcmil. All weights are pounds per 1000 feet; divide by 1000 for pounds per foot.
Want the math done for you? Our wire weight calculator takes a gauge, insulation type, and length and returns total pounds instantly.
How to Read These Charts
Wire weight is published per 1000 feet by convention. Two quick conversions cover everything else:
- Per foot: divide by 1000. Bare 2/0 copper at 410.9 lbs/1000 ft is about 0.41 lbs per foot.
- Total weight: multiply pounds per foot by your run length, then by the number of conductors. A 250 ft pull of three 4/0 THHN conductors is 0.71 × 250 × 3 ≈ 533 lbs, before the reel.
Copper Wire Weight Chart (Bare, THHN, XHHW-2)
| Size | Bare Copper (lbs/1000 ft) | THHN Copper (lbs/1000 ft) | XHHW-2 Copper (lbs/1000 ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 AWG | 12.7 | 16 | 17 |
| 12 AWG | 20.2 | 25 | 26 |
| 10 AWG | 32.0 | 39 | 40 |
| 8 AWG | 50.9 | 66 | 63 |
| 6 AWG | 81.0 | 98 | 94 |
| 4 AWG | 128.9 | 155 | 149 |
| 3 AWG | 162.5 | 190 | 185 |
| 2 AWG | 204.9 | 235 | 230 |
| 1 AWG | 258.4 | 300 | 293 |
| 1/0 AWG | 325.8 | 370 | 364 |
| 2/0 AWG | 410.9 | 460 | 453 |
| 3/0 AWG | 518.1 | 570 | 562 |
| 4/0 AWG | 653.3 | 710 | 698 |
| 250 kcmil | 771.9 | 845 | 834 |
| 300 kcmil | 926.3 | 985 | 992 |
| 350 kcmil | 1,081 | 1,165 | 1,152 |
| 400 kcmil | 1,235 | 1,296 | 1,310 |
| 500 kcmil | 1,544 | 1,640 | 1,626 |
| 600 kcmil | 1,853 | 1,934 | 1,961 |
| 750 kcmil | 2,316 | 2,480 | 2,429 |
| 1000 kcmil | 3,088 | 3,300 | 3,236 |
Bare copper weights follow the standard AWG tables (a handy shortcut: kcmil sizes weigh about 3.09 lbs per 1000 ft per kcmil). THHN and XHHW-2 weights are nominal and vary a few percent between manufacturers depending on stranding and exact wall thickness; use the manufacturer's spec sheet when the number goes on an engineering document.
Aluminum Wire Weight Chart (Bare, XHHW-2)
| Size | Bare Aluminum (lbs/1000 ft) | XHHW-2 Aluminum (lbs/1000 ft) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 AWG | 24.6 | 33 |
| 4 AWG | 39.1 | 48 |
| 2 AWG | 62.2 | 73 |
| 1 AWG | 78.4 | 92 |
| 1/0 AWG | 98.9 | 113 |
| 2/0 AWG | 124.8 | 139 |
| 3/0 AWG | 157.2 | 172 |
| 4/0 AWG | 198.4 | 213 |
| 250 kcmil | 234.4 | 253 |
| 300 kcmil | 281.4 | 300 |
| 350 kcmil | 328.3 | 348 |
| 400 kcmil | 375.2 | 396 |
| 500 kcmil | 469.0 | 490 |
| 600 kcmil | 562.8 | 590 |
| 750 kcmil | 703.2 | 730 |
| 1000 kcmil | 937.9 | 967 |
Copper vs. Aluminum: The Weight Trade
Aluminum weighs about 30% as much as copper for the same conductor size. It doesn't carry as much current, though, so an aluminum feeder is typically sized one or two gauges larger than its copper equivalent. Even after upsizing, the aluminum run usually comes in at roughly half the weight, which is exactly why long service feeders and utility spans lean aluminum: less weight to pull, less weight to support, and lower freight. For the full trade-off, see our copper vs. aluminum building wire guide.
Why Insulated Wire Weighs More Than Bare
The difference between the bare column and the THHN or XHHW-2 columns is the insulation: PVC with a nylon jacket for THHN, cross-linked polyethylene for XHHW-2. That extra weight is what buys the 90°C rating and abrasion resistance for conduit and tray work. As conductor size grows, the insulation wall grows with it, so the gap between bare and insulated widens at the big end of the chart.
What These Charts Are Useful For
- Shipping and freight estimates. Knowing the weight before you order avoids surprises on freight class and cost.
- Cable tray load calculations. Distributed weight drives support spacing and tray rating.
- Spool and reel handling. Confirming total weight before a spool is lifted or moved on site.
- Scrap and material estimating. Contractors reconciling copper usage against a job, or valuing recovered conductor.
Need a Specific Size or Type?
These charts cover the most commonly stocked constructions. For USE-2, DLO, welding cable, or anything outside this range, our team can pull exact specs and current pricing from the manufacturer data. Try the wire weight calculator for quick totals, browse the catalog, or request a quote.