What Size Wire for an Electric Dryer?
Wire and breaker sizing for an Electric Dryer — the typical 240V circuit, plus the code details (NEC 310.16) that change the answer.
Calculations are built on the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) and cross-checked against the published code tables. How we verify. Last reviewed June 2026.
On a 30A 240V circuit (NEMA 14-30) at 75°C terminations.
Protected by a 30A breaker (NEC 240.6).
GFCI required. The 2023 NEC (210.8(D) for specific appliances, 210.8(A) for kitchen/outdoor receptacles) requires GFCI protection here. Verify the code edition your jurisdiction has adopted.
Electric Dryer Circuit Details
- Electric dryers use a 30A 240V circuit — 10 AWG copper.
- Modern code requires a 4-wire NEMA 14-30 (two hots, neutral, ground).
- Gas dryers only need a standard 120V 15A outlet.
Long run to your electric dryer?
Over distance, voltage drop can require a larger wire than the table above. See the 30A wire size by distance:
Size it for your exact install
Open the calculator pre-filled with 30A at 240V to add distance, material and temperature.