Metal Stud Gauge Chart

Find conventional stud gauge thickness in mils, inches, and mm. Compare 20-gauge drywall vs structural steel and decode common stud labels.

Metal stud gauge and thickness: quick chart

Jump to the full 9-row chart ↓

20 gauge is not one thickness. Conventional 20-gauge drywall = 30 mil (0.0296 in minimum bare steel); conventional 20-gauge structural = 33 mil (0.0329 in minimum). Manufacturer-specific EQ studs may be thinner and require their own performance documentation. AWCI explanation.

Most requested conventional metal stud gauges — bare steel, excluding coating
Gauge	Class	Minimum bare steel
25 ga	18 mil	0.0179 in 0.455 mm
20 DW	30 mil	0.0296 in 0.752 mm
20 structural	33 mil	0.0329 in 0.836 mm
18 ga	43 mil	0.0428 in 1.087 mm
16 ga	54 mil	0.0538 in 1.367 mm
14 ga	68 mil	0.0677 in 1.720 mm

All nine conventional classes, design thicknesses, and color cues · Values verified against SFIA’s 2026 guide.

Find a gauge thickness or decode a stud label

Select a conventional class for exact minimum/design values, or decode a four-part stud/track designation such as 362S162-43. This is a dimensional reference, not a capacity or substitution approval.

Example: 362S162-43 represents a 3-5/8 in web, S stud shape, 1-5/8 in flange, and 43-mil conventional class (18 gauge). All nine source rows and definitions remain readable without JavaScript.

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Full metal stud gauge chart — 25 through 10 gauge

Conventional U.S. cold-formed steel framing. The minimum and design columns are uncoated base-steel thicknesses. Gauge is a reference label; EQ products require their own manufacturer data.

9 reference rows

Swipe the chart sideways on a small screen. Select a column heading to sort.

Conventional metal stud thickness classes. Minimum and design values exclude coatings; millimeters are converted and rounded.

25 gauge	18	0.0179	0.0188	0.455	0.478	None
22 gauge	27	0.0269	0.0283	0.683	0.719	Black
20 drywall gauge	30	0.0296	0.0312	0.752	0.792	Pink
20 structural gauge	33	0.0329	0.0346	0.836	0.879	White
18 gauge	43	0.0428	0.0451	1.087	1.146	Yellow
16 gauge	54	0.0538	0.0566	1.367	1.438	Green
14 gauge	68	0.0677	0.0713	1.720	1.811	Orange
12 gauge	97	0.0966	0.1017	2.454	2.583	Red
10 gauge	118	0.1180	0.1242	2.997	3.155	Blue

Reference values match the SFIA 2026 technical guide and MarinoWARE. Colors are manufacturer identification cues, not universal acceptance criteria. The mm values here are calculated from the published inch figures, rounded to three decimals. Do not use these thicknesses as a stand-alone member or assembly selection.

20-gauge metal studs: drywall vs structural vs EQ

There is no single universal thickness for the words “20-gauge stud.” In conventional framing, the 30-mil drywall class and the 33-mil structural class have different minimum and design values. An EQ label can refer to still another proprietary product.

Do not substitute based on a gauge name alone
Product description	Minimum bare thickness	Design thickness	Important distinction
20 gauge drywall (30 mil)	0.0296 in (0.752 mm)	0.0312 in	Conventional 30-mil framing class
20 gauge structural (33 mil)	0.0329 in (0.836 mm)	0.0346 in	Conventional 33-mil framing class
Example: ClarkDietrich ProSTUD 20 EQ	0.0181 in (0.460 mm)	0.0190 in	Proprietary EQ example, not a conventional 33-mil substitute by label

The specific EQ example is taken from ClarkDietrich’s product catalog. A different EQ manufacturer or product line may use another thickness. For fire-rated walls, verify the specific assembly listing before substituting products.

How to read a metal stud label

A designation such as 362S162-43 identifies the profile and thickness class. Read it from left to right before comparing a quotation or a delivery tag. The SFIA nomenclature guide describes the system.

362: Nominal web-depth designation for a 3-5/8 in stud.
S: A stud-shaped member. T identifies track; other profile letters identify other products.
162: Nominal flange-width designation for 1-5/8 in.
43: The 43-mil thickness class, commonly called 18 gauge. The conventional minimum bare thickness is 0.0428 in; design thickness is 0.0451 in.

The code is a useful starting point. The order must also identify member length, manufacturer, yield strength, coating, quantity and any assembly-specific requirements. A matching designation alone does not establish that two proprietary products are interchangeable.

Metal stud sizes: web, flange, track and thickness are separate

The first three or four digits of a conventional designation indicate the web-depth class in hundredths of an inch. The letter identifies member shape, and the next three digits identify the flange or track-leg dimension. The final suffix is the thickness class in mils.

Examples of common conventional framing designators
Code	Meaning
362S162-43	3-5/8 in web, stud, 1-5/8 in flange, 43-mil class
600S162-54	6 in web, stud, 1-5/8 in flange, 54-mil class
362T125-33	3-5/8 in web, track, 1-1/4 in leg class, 33-mil class

These are designation examples, not guarantees of manufacturer stock availability or stud/track fit. Track clear dimensions, lip shapes, coating and structural properties must be checked using the exact submittal. Other AISI member letters (U, F, L) and proprietary codes use different conventions and are not decoded by this tool. The AISI S220 product-designator requirements provide the standard framework.

Gauge, mils, minimum thickness and design thickness

One mil is 0.001 inch. In a steel-framing designation, the mil value names a thickness class; it is not an instruction to replace the published minimum or design value with an exact decimal. For example, a conventional 33-mil stud has a 0.0329 in minimum and a 0.0346 in design thickness.

Minimum thickness is the acceptance threshold for the uncoated base steel. Design thickness is the thickness used in the published section properties. The standard rows shown here have a minimum approximately 95% of design thickness, subject to published rounding. The MarinoWARE thickness table publishes both values.

To convert a listed thickness to millimeters, multiply inches by 25.4. The chart retains four decimal places in inches and shows the millimeter conversion to three decimal places; rounding does not change the manufacturer’s acceptance tolerance.

Do not substitute a generic sheet-metal gauge table for this framing chart. The same gauge number can have different thickness meanings in different products and industries.

What does EQ mean on a metal stud?

EQ means equivalent performance for a specified product application; it does not mean equal steel thickness. Manufacturers use proprietary shapes, steel strengths and details to achieve documented performance with different base-metal thicknesses. Compare the exact product’s submittal and limiting-height table.

For a concrete example, ClarkDietrich’s current catalog lists ProSTUD 20 at 0.0190 in design thickness and 0.0181 in minimum thickness. Those values are different from the conventional 30-mil and 33-mil rows. Its name does not turn it into a conventional 33-mil structural stud. See the manufacturer’s framing catalog, page 8.

For a fire-rated wall, use the precise assembly listing, including any named proprietary member and certification requirements. UL distinguishes generic minimum-thickness members from listed EQ alternatives. A thicker or similarly named replacement is not automatically an approved substitution.

How to choose the right stud thickness

Identify the wall or framing application. A non-load-bearing partition, curtain wall and load-bearing wall do not have the same design checks.
Use the specified section and performance. Confirm depth, flange, spacing, height, loading and deflection limits with the project documents and manufacturer’s tables.
Match the bare-steel minimum and product type. Resolve an ambiguous “20 gauge” note before procurement.
Confirm connections and finishes. Fasteners, bridging, track, corrosion protection and fire or acoustic assemblies must suit the selected system.
Check the delivery identification. Compare the printed member label and submittal against the approved order.

A thickness chart identifies material. It does not determine allowable wall height, axial capacity, screw pull-out, wind resistance or a fire rating. Those depend on the complete member and assembly.

Checking thickness and color in the field

Start with the printed designation and manufacturer documentation. A micrometer reading over a galvanized or other coated surface includes the coating; this chart’s acceptance values refer to bare base steel. An unexplained difference should be resolved with the supplier and the applicable inspection procedure.

Color is a fast identification cue, not the full specification. The conventional colors in this chart follow the cited manufacturer table. Proprietary lines can use other labels or colors, and field paint or damage can hide the marking. Verify the numerical designation, steel strength and product name before treating members as equivalent.

Useful order wording: identify the complete product designation, length, minimum bare-metal thickness or specified proprietary product, yield strength, coating and approved assembly. A purchase order that says only “3-5/8 in, 20 gauge” leaves important choices unresolved.

Why a metal stud gauge chart differs from a sheet metal gauge chart

In cold-formed framing, the gauge number is a reference designation and the actual minimum bare-steel and design thicknesses come from the framing standard or product submittal. Generic sheet-metal charts can use different gauge conventions for steel, stainless steel and aluminum. Do not use a generic sheet-metal thickness table as a substitute for these framing values.

For ordinary sheet goods outside framing, use the Sheet Metal Gauge Chart. When specifying studs, state the mil class or required minimum base steel thickness and separately verify the steel grade, coating, member geometry and full wall assembly requirements.

Metal Stud Gauge Chart FAQs

How thick is a 20-gauge metal stud?

Conventional 20-gauge drywall framing is commonly 30 mil, with 0.0296 in minimum bare-steel thickness and 0.0312 in design thickness. Conventional 20-gauge structural framing is 33 mil, with 0.0329 in minimum and 0.0346 in design thickness. EQ products have manufacturer-specific values.

Is 18 gauge thicker than 20 gauge?

For the conventional framing rows shown here, yes. The 18-gauge / 43-mil row has a 0.0428 in minimum bare thickness, compared with 0.0329 in for 20-gauge structural / 33-mil and 0.0296 in for 20-gauge drywall / 30-mil.

Is 33 mil exactly 0.033 inch?

It is a thickness-class designation. Use the published minimum of 0.0329 in and design thickness of 0.0346 in for the conventional 33-mil row instead of treating the designation as an exact measured value.

Can I use an EQ stud wherever a 20-gauge stud is specified?

Only when the exact product satisfies the project specification, required performance and applicable assembly listing. EQ is not a universal thickness or structural interchangeability rule.

Does this chart include galvanized coating thickness?

No. The listed minimum and design values refer to base steel. A measurement over the coating can be higher and cannot by itself establish the bare-metal thickness.

Which gauge is best for a load-bearing wall?

There is no single correct gauge for every load-bearing wall. Use an engineered member selection that considers loads, wall height, spacing, bracing, openings, connections and deflection, then match the exact specified product.

How thick is a 25-gauge steel stud?

In the standard conventional framing table, 25 gauge corresponds to the 18-mil class, with 0.0179 in (0.455 mm) minimum bare steel and 0.0188 in (0.478 mm) design thickness. A proprietary 25 EQ product can use different values.

How thick is a 22-gauge metal stud?

The conventional 22-gauge / 27-mil class has 0.0269 in (0.683 mm) minimum bare-steel thickness and 0.0283 in (0.719 mm) design thickness.

What does 362S162-43 mean?

The designation represents a 3-5/8 in web, S-shaped stud, 1-5/8 in flange and 43-mil thickness class (commonly called 18 gauge). It does not, by itself, verify steel yield strength, availability, performance or interchangeability.

Are metal stud gauge colors universal?

No. Color markings are manufacturer identification cues. Read the printed stud designation and approved product documentation rather than choosing by paint or color alone.

Is 20-gauge structural the same as 20-gauge EQ?

No. Conventional 20-gauge structural is the 33-mil class, while EQ products can meet specified performance criteria with different dimensions and steel thicknesses. Verify the exact product and assembly listing.

Are studs and tracks measured the same way?

Stud designations use a web depth and flange class. Track designations identify a web depth and a leg class. The mating parts must be selected from the same approved system and checked for the required clear dimensions and fit.

Sources and data basis

This chart documents conventional U.S. framing thickness classes. Metric values are calculated with 25.4 mm per inch. The decoder maps common designation codes; it does not certify a product or infer a load capacity.

SFIA — 2026 Technical Product GuidePrimary cross-check of all nine conventional designation, minimum and design thickness values.
AISI S220-20 — North American Standard for Cold-Formed Steel Nonstructural FramingFour-part product designation and minimum base-steel thickness requirements for standard nonstructural members; follow adopted code editions.
MarinoWARE — Steel Framing NomenclatureConventional gauge, mil, minimum/design thickness and color values.
SFIA / BuildSteel — How to Order Cold-Formed Steel FramingProduct-designator explanation and an independent industry thickness table.
AWCI — How Thick Is 20 Gauge Steel Framing?20-gauge drywall, structural and EQ distinctions.
ClarkDietrich — Framing Product Catalog, page 8May 2026 catalog; proprietary ProSTUD example.
UL Solutions — Fire-Rated Wall Stud Metal ThicknessGeneric and proprietary EQ members in listed wall assemblies.

Source cross-check: October 29, 2026. Manufacturer product lines, code editions and assembly listings may change; verify current documents for design and procurement.