14 AWG Wire Ampacity & Specifications
14 AWG copper wire carries 20A at 75°C (NEC Table 310.16); copper is typically protected by a 15A breaker.
Calculations are built on the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) and cross-checked against the published code tables. How we verify. Last updated June 2026.
14 AWG wire has an ampacity of 20A at 75°C for copper (NEC Table 310.16). Its 60°C and 90°C copper ratings are 15A and 25A. Copper 14 AWG is commonly protected by a 15A breaker, since 14 AWG is limited to 15A overcurrent protection by NEC 240.4(D).
Copper 75°C
20A
Copper 90°C
25A
Aluminum 75°C
—
Copper breaker (75°C)
15A
14 AWG Wire Specifications
| Ampacity — Copper (60 / 75 / 90°C) | 15 / 20 / 25 A |
| Ampacity — Aluminum (60 / 75 / 90°C) | — / — / — A |
| Cross-section | 4,110 circular mils |
| DC resistance — Copper | 3.07 Ω / 1000 ft |
| DC resistance — Aluminum | 5.06 Ω / 1000 ft |
| Typical voltage drop (240V) | 1.9% at 50 ft · 3.8% at 100 ft (at 15A) |
Common Uses for 14 AWG Wire
- 15A lighting and receptacle branch circuits
- Residential general-purpose wiring
Ampacities are from NEC Table 310.16. Copper 14, 12 and 10 AWG are limited to 15A, 20A and 30A overcurrent protection, aluminum 12 and 10 AWG to 15A and 25A (240.4(D)). Terminations rated 60°C or 75°C usually cap the usable ampacity below the 90°C value.
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