Wire Wrap Calculator
Estimate how much wire you need for wire-wrapping projects. Enter your stone size, gauge, and style to get a length estimate.
| AWG | Diameter (mm) | Diameter (in) | Best Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | 1.02mm | 0.040" | Heavy frames, sculptural pieces Frame |
| 20 | 0.81mm | 0.032" | Frames, pendants, rings Frame |
| 22 | 0.64mm | 0.025" | General wrapping, small frames |
| 24 | 0.51mm | 0.020" | Coiling, detailed accents Coiling |
| 26 | 0.41mm | 0.016" | Weaving, coiling, lashing Weaving |
| 28 | 0.32mm | 0.013" | Fine weaving, intricate patterns Weaving |
| 30 | 0.25mm | 0.010" | Very fine detail and embellishment |
Wire wrap jewelry basics
Choosing your gauge: Use heavier gauges (18-20 AWG) for structural frames that hold the stone in place. Medium gauges (22-24 AWG) work for the main wrapping. Fine gauges (26-30 AWG) are used for decorative weaving, coiling, and fine details.
Wire hardness: Dead soft wire is most flexible and easiest to wrap but holds shape less well. Half-hard is the most popular — flexible enough to work with but holds its form. Full hard is used for ring shanks where spring-back is needed.
Wire materials: Copper is the best for practice — affordable and easy to work with. Silver (sterling or fine) and gold-filled wire are used for finished pieces. Gold-filled has a thick layer of gold bonded to a base metal core, making it more affordable than solid gold while still being tarnish-resistant.
Wire length tip: Always cut more than you think you need. Running out of wire mid-wrap is a common beginner mistake. Add at least 20% extra to any calculated estimate. Wire can always be trimmed; running short means starting over.