NEC Tables · Chapter 9

Chapter 9, Table 5 — conductor dimensions

The other half of every fill calc: how much space each insulated conductor actually takes.

Free · NEC 2023 · Updated
Type: FFH-2, RFH-1, RFH-2, RFHH-2, RHH*, RHW* , RHW-2*, RHH, RHW, RHW-2, SF-1, SF-2, SFF-1, SFF-2, TF, TFF, THHW, THW, THW-2, TW, XF, XFF · in.2
approximate dimensions from Chapter 9, Table 5
Exam trapSame copper, different jacket: 12 THW is nearly 40% fatter than 12 THHN. The exam loves asking why the fill count dropped when the wire type changed.

Table 5 lists the approximate cross-sectional area and diameter for every common insulation type and size. Divide a conduit’s 40% area (Table 4) by the value here and you have your max count — insulation type matters, which is why THHN and THW of the same gauge give different fills.

TypeSize (AWG or kcmil)Approximate AreaApproximate Diameter
TypeSize (AWG or kcmil)mm2in.2mmin.
Type: FFH-2, RFH-1, RFH-2, RFHH-2, RHH*, RHW* , RHW-2*, RHH, RHW, RHW-2, SF-1, SF-2, SFF-1, SFF-2, TF, TFF, THHW, THW, THW-2, TW, XF, XFF
RFH-2,FFH-2, RFHH-2189.3550.01453.4540.136
RFH-2,FFH-2, RFHH-21611.100.01723.7590.148
RHH, RHW, RHW-21418.900.02934.9020.193
RHH, RHW, RHW-21222.770.03535.3850.212
RHH, RHW, RHW-21028.190.04375.9940.236
RHH, RHW, RHW-2853.870.08358.2800.326
RHH, RHW, RHW-2667.160.10419.2460.364
RHH, RHW, RHW-2486.000.133310.460.412
RHH, RHW, RHW-2398.130.152111.180.440
RHH, RHW, RHW-22112.90.175011.990.472
RHH, RHW, RHW-21171.60.266014.780.582
RHH, RHW, RHW-21/0196.10.303915.800.622
RHH, RHW, RHW-22/0226.10.350516.970.668
RHH, RHW, RHW-23/0262.70.407218.290.720
RHH, RHW, RHW-24/0306.70.475419.760.778
RHH, RHW, RHW-2250405.90.629122.730.895
RHH, RHW, RHW-2300457.30.708824.130.950
RHH, RHW, RHW-2350507.70.787025.431.001
RHH, RHW, RHW-2400556.50.862626.621.048
RHH, RHW, RHW-2500650.51.008228.781.133
RHH, RHW, RHW-2600782.91.213531.571.243
RHH, RHW, RHW-2700874.91.356133.381.314
RHH, RHW, RHW-2750920.81.427234.241.348
RHH, RHW, RHW-2800965.01.495735.051.380
RHH, RHW, RHW-290010571.637736.681.444
RHH, RHW, RHW-2100011431.771938.151.502
RHH, RHW, RHW-2125015152.347943.921.729
RHH, RHW, RHW-2150017382.693847.041.852
RHH, RHW, RHW-2175019593.035749.941.966
RHH, RHW, RHW-2200021753.371952.632.072
SF-2, SFF-2187.4190.01153.0730.121
SF-2, SFF-2168.9680.01393.3780.133
SF-2, SFF-21411.100.01723.7590.148
SF-1, SFF-1184.1940.00652.3110.091
RFH-1, TF, TFF, XF, XFF185.1610.00882.6920.106
TF, TFF, XF, XFF167.0320.01092.9970.118
TW, XF, XFF, THHW, THW, THW-2148.9680.01393.3780.133
TW, THHW, THW, THW-21211.680.01813.8610.152
TW, THHW, THW, THW-21015.680.02434.4700.176
TW, THHW, THW, THW-2828.190.04375.9940.236
RHH*, RHW*, RHW-2*1413.480.02094.1400.163
RHH*, RHW*, RHW-2*, XF, XFF1216.770.02604.6230.182
Type: RHH*, RHW*, RHW-2*, THHN, THHW, THW, THW-2, TFN, TFFN, THWN, THWN-2, XF, XFF
RHH,* RHW,* RHW-2,* XF, XFF1021.480.03335.2320.206
RHH*, RHW*, RHW-2*835.870.05566.7560.266
TW, THW, THHW, THW-2, RHH*, RHW*, RHW-2*646.840.07267.7220.304
TW, THW, THHW, THW-2, RHH*, RHW*, RHW-2*462.770.09738.9410.352
TW, THW, THHW, THW-2, RHH*, RHW*, RHW-2*373.160.11349.6520.380
TW, THW, THHW, THW-2, RHH*, RHW*, RHW-2*286.000.133310.460.412
TW, THW, THHW, THW-2, RHH*, RHW*, RHW-2*1122.60.190112.500.492
TW, THW, THHW, THW-2, RHH*, RHW*, RHW-2*1/0143.40.222313.510.532
TW, THW, THHW, THW-2, RHH*, RHW*, RHW-2*2/0169.30.262414.680.578
TW, THW, THHW, THW-2, RHH*, RHW*, RHW-2*3/0201.10.311716.000.630
TW, THW, THHW, THW-2, RHH*, RHW*, RHW-2*4/0239.90.371817.480.688
TW, THW, THHW, THW-2, RHH*, RHW*, RHW-2*250296.50.459619.430.765
TW, THW, THHW, THW-2, RHH*, RHW*, RHW-2*300340.70.528120.830.820
TW, THW, THHW, THW-2, RHH*, RHW*, RHW-2*350384.40.595822.120.871
TW, THW, THHW, THW-2, RHH*, RHW*, RHW-2*400427.00.661923.320.918
TW, THW, THHW, THW-2, RHH*, RHW*, RHW-2*500509.70.790125.481.003
TW, THW, THHW, THW-2, RHH*, RHW*, RHW-2*600627.70.972928.271.113
TW, THW, THHW, THW-2, RHH*, RHW*, RHW-2*700710.31.101030.071.184
TW, THW, THHW, THW-2, RHH*, RHW*, RHW-2*750751.71.165230.941.218
TW, THW, THHW, THW-2, RHH*, RHW*, RHW-2*800791.71.227231.751.250
TW, THW, THHW, THW-2, RHH*, RHW*, RHW-2*900874.91.356133.381.314
TW, THW, THHW, THW-2, RHH*, RHW*, RHW-2*1000953.81.478434.851.372
TW, THW, THHW, THW-2, RHH*, RHW*, RHW-2*125012001.860239.091.539
TW, THW, THHW, THW-2, RHH*, RHW*, RHW-2*150014002.169542.211.662
TW, THW, THHW, THW-2, RHH*, RHW*, RHW-2*175015982.477345.111.776
TW, THW, THHW, THW-2, RHH*, RHW*, RHW-2*200017952.781847.801.882
TFN, TFFN183.5480.00552.1340.084
TFN, TFFN164.6450.00722.4380.096
THHN, THWN, THWN-2146.2580.00972.8190.111
THHN, THWN, THWN-2128.5810.01333.3020.130
THHN, THWN, THWN-21013.610.02114.1660.164
THHN, THWN, THWN-2823.610.03665.4860.216
THHN, THWN, THWN-2632.710.05076.4520.254
THHN, THWN, THWN-2453.160.08248.2300.324
THHN, THWN, THWN-2362.770.09738.9410.352
THHN, THWN, THWN-2274.710.11589.7540.384
THHN, THWN, THWN-21100.80.156211.330.446
THHN, THWN, THWN-21/0119.70.185512.340.486
THHN, THWN, THWN-22/0143.40.222313.510.532
THHN, THWN, THWN-23/0172.80.267914.830.584
THHN, THWN, THWN-24/0208.80.323716.310.642
THHN, THWN, THWN-2250256.10.397018.060.711
THHN, THWN, THWN-2300297.30.460819.460.766
Type: FEP, FEPB, PAF, PAFF, PF, PFA, PFAH, PFF, PGF, PGFF, PTF, PTFF, TFE, THHN, THWN, THWN-2, Z, ZF, ZFF, ZHF
THHN, THWN, THWN-2350338.20.524220.750.817
THHN, THWN, THWN-2400378.30.586321.950.864
THHN, THWN, THWN-2500456.30.707324.100.949
THHN, THWN, THWN-2600559.70.867626.701.051
THHN, THWN, THWN-2700637.90.988728.501.122
THHN, THWN, THWN-2750677.21.049629.361.156
THHN, THWN, THWN-2800715.21.108530.181.188
THHN, THWN, THWN-2900794.31.231131.801.252
THHN, THWN, THWN-21000869.51.347833.271.310
PF, PGFF, PGF, PFF, PTF, PAF, PTFF, PAFF183.7420.00582.1840.086
PF, PGFF, PGF, PFF, PTF, PAF, PTFF, PAFF164.8390.00752.4890.098
PF, PGFF, PGF, PFF, PTF, PAF, PTFF, PAFF, TFE, FEP, PFA, FEPB, PFAH146.4520.01002.8700.113
TFE, FEP, PFA, FEPB, PFAH128.8390.01373.3530.132
TFE, FEP, PFA, FEPB, PFAH1012.320.01913.9620.156
TFE, FEP, PFA, FEPB, PFAH821.480.03335.2320.206
TFE, FEP, PFA, FEPB, PFAH630.190.04686.1980.244
TFE, FEP, PFA, FEPB, PFAH443.230.06707.4170.292
TFE, FEP, PFA, FEPB, PFAH351.870.08048.1280.320
TFE, FEP, PFA, FEPB, PFAH262.770.09738.9410.352
TFE, PFAH, PFA190.260.139910.720.422
TFE, PFA, PFAH, Z1/0108.10.167611.730.462
TFE, PFA, PFAH, Z2/0130.80.202712.900.508
TFE, PFA, PFAH, Z3/0158.90.246314.220.560
TFE, PFA, PFAH, Z4/0193.50.300015.700.618
ZF, ZFF, ZHF182.9030.00451.9300.076
ZF, ZFF, ZHF163.9350.00612.2350.088
Z, ZF, ZFF, ZHF145.3550.00832.6160.103
Z127.5480.01173.0990.122
Z1012.320.01913.9620.156
Z819.480.03024.9780.196
Z627.740.04305.9440.234
Z440.320.06257.1630.282
Z355.160.08558.3820.330
Z266.390.10299.1950.362
Z181.870.126910.210.402
Type: KF-1, KF-2, KFF-1, KFF-2, XHH, XHHW, XHHW-2, ZW
XHHW, ZW, XHHW-2, XHH148.9680.01393.3780.133
XHHW, ZW, XHHW-2, XHH1211.680.01813.8610.152
XHHW, ZW, XHHW-2, XHH1015.680.02434.4700.176
XHHW, ZW, XHHW-2, XHH828.190.04375.9940.236
XHHW, ZW, XHHW-2, XHH638.060.05906.9600.274
XHHW, ZW, XHHW-2, XHH452.520.08148.1790.322
XHHW, ZW, XHHW-2, XHH362.060.09628.8900.350
XHHW, ZW, XHHW-2, XHH273.940.11469.7030.382
XHHW, XHHW-2, XHH198.970.153411.230.442
XHHW, XHHW-2, XHH1/0117.70.182512.240.482
XHHW, XHHW-2, XHH2/0141.30.219013.410.528
XHHW, XHHW-2, XHH3/0170.50.264214.730.58
XHHW, XHHW-2, XHH4/0206.30.319716.210.638
XHHW, XHHW-2, XHH250251.90.390417.910.705
XHHW, XHHW-2, XHH300292.60.453619.300.76
XHHW, XHHW-2, XHH350333.30.516620.600.811
XHHW, XHHW-2, XHH400373.00.578221.790.858
XHHW, XHHW-2, XHH500450.60.698423.950.943
XHHW, XHHW-2, XHH600561.90.870926.751.053
XHHW, XHHW-2, XHH700640.20.992328.551.124
XHHW, XHHW-2, XHH750679.51.053229.411.158
XHHW, XHHW-2, XHH800717.51.112230.231.190
XHHW, XHHW-2, XHH900796.81.235131.851.254
XHHW, XHHW-2, XHH1000872.21.351933.321.312
XHHW, XHHW-2, XHH125011081.718037.571.479
XHHW, XHHW-2, XHH150013002.015640.691.602
XHHW, XHHW-2, XHH175014922.312743.591.716
XHHW, XHHW-2, XHH200016822.607346.281.822
KF-2, KFF-2182.0000.0031.5750.062
KF-2, KFF-2162.8390.00431.880.074
KF-2, KFF-2144.1290.00642.2860.090
KF-2, KFF-2126.0000.00922.7430.108
KF-2, KFF-2108.9680.01393.3780.133
KF-1, KFF-1181.6770.00261.4480.057
162.3870.00371.7530.069
143.5480.00552.1340.084
125.3550.00832.6160.103
108.1940.01273.2260.127
Notes that change the answer — 9.5

*Types RHH, RHW, and RHW-2 without outer covering.

Values derived from the 2023 National Electrical Code for exam study. Verify installations against the adopted code and local amendments.

Race your codebook — 3 lookups on this table

Q1

An electrician is reviewing a nameplate on equipment rated for use in a hazardous location and needs to determine what surface temperature the "T4" marking corresponds to. Which section contains the table listing these temperature classifications?

  1. A 500.8(D)(1)
  2. B 500.8(C)(4)
  3. C 500.8(C)(3)
  4. D 500.8(C)(5)
Show answer & explanation

Correct: B — 500.8(C)(4)

Table 500.8(C)(4), Classification of Maximum Surface Temperature, is hosted at 500.8(C)(4), which governs equipment temperature marking and specifies use of the T-code table. 500.8(D)(1) addresses how Class I temperature is determined, not the T-code table itself, and 500.8(C)(3) covers material classification groups, not temperature.

Q2

A major repair garage services vehicles that run on natural gas. The shop also stores these lighter-than-air-fueled vehicles inside the building. Which section provides the table establishing the extent of the classified locations for this facility?

  1. A 511.3(C)
  2. B 511.3(D)
  3. C 511.3(B)
  4. D 511.3(A)
Show answer & explanation

Correct: B — 511.3(D)

511.3(D) hosts Table 511.3(D), which covers major repair garages where vehicles using lighter-than-air gaseous fuels like natural gas or hydrogen are repaired or stored. 511.3(C) instead governs heavier-than-air fuels such as LPG or Class I liquids, which don't apply to a natural-gas facility.

Q3

A minor repair garage repairs vehicles fueled by LPG, a heavier-than-air gas. Which section contains the table used to determine the extent of the classified locations throughout the shop for this type of fuel?

  1. A 511.3(B)
  2. B 511.3(D)
  3. C 511.3(E)
  4. D 511.3(C)
Show answer & explanation

Correct: D — 511.3(C)

511.3(C) hosts Table 511.3(C), specifically addressing major and minor repair garages where vehicles using Class I liquids or heavier-than-air gaseous fuels such as LPG are repaired. 511.3(D) applies only to lighter-than-air fuels, which doesn't fit LPG.

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