Stainless Steel Gauge Chart – SS 304 316 202 Thickness mm India 2026 | SheetGauge

Stainless Steel Gauge Chart – SS 304, 316, 202 Thickness mm & Inch India 2026

Complete stainless steel gauge to mm and inch conversion chart for SWG, BWG and MSG gauge standards. Includes weight per m² for SS 304, SS 316 and SS 202. Searchable, sortable and mobile-friendly. IS 6911 compliant. Updated 2026.

Live Search & Filter Sortable Columns SWG / BWG / MSG Mobile Friendly IS 6911 Standard

Stainless Steel Gauge Quick Lookup

Select gauge standard and gauge number — get thickness in mm, inch and weight per m² for SS 304, SS 316 and SS 202 instantly

Thickness
2.032
mm
Thickness
0.0800
inch
SS 304 (kg/m²)
16.11
kg/m²
SS 316 (kg/m²)
16.21
kg/m²
SS 202 (kg/m²)
15.75
kg/m²
India predominantly uses SWG (Standard Wire Gauge) for stainless steel sheets. BWG is used in older British-era drawings. MSG (Manufacturer's Standard Gauge) originates from the US and is sometimes referenced in imported SS coil data. Always confirm the gauge standard with your supplier before ordering. See full charts below.

Complete SS Gauge Chart – Thickness, Weight & IS 6911 Reference

Searchable and sortable. Click any column header to sort. Use the search box to find a specific gauge or thickness.

Showing all 24 rows
Gauge (SWG) Thickness (mm) Thickness (inch) SS 304 kg/m² SS 316 kg/m² SS 202 kg/m² Common Use India Availability
3G6.4010.252050.7651.0849.61Heavy structural platesRare
4G5.8930.232046.7347.0245.67Heavy tanks, pressure vesselsRare
5G5.3850.212042.7042.9741.73Industrial vesselsRare
6G4.8770.192038.6738.9237.80Chemical reactorsRare
7G4.4700.176035.4335.6534.64Fabricated structuresRare
8G4.0640.160032.2332.4331.50Heavy fab, base platesRare
10G3.2510.128025.7825.9425.20Structural, tanksRare
12G2.6420.104020.9521.0820.48Kitchen equipment, framesCommon
14G2.0320.080016.1116.2115.75General fabrication, sinksCommon
15G1.8290.072014.5014.6014.17Light fabricationCommon
16G1.6260.064012.8912.9712.60Cladding, kitchen panelsCommon
17G1.4220.056011.2711.3411.02Decorative, signageCommon
18G1.2190.04809.679.739.45Food equipment, SS 202 utensilsCommon
19G1.0160.04008.068.117.87Pharma, light panelsCommon
20G0.9140.03607.257.297.08HVAC liners, duct liningCommon
21G0.8130.03206.456.496.30Light claddingCommon
22G0.7110.02805.645.675.51Roofing liners, false ceilingCommon
23G0.6100.02404.844.874.73Thin panels, trimCommon
24G0.5590.02204.434.464.33Very thin sheetsCommon
25G0.5080.02004.034.053.94Ultra thin, foil-likeRare
26G0.4570.01803.623.653.54Thin panels, stripsRare
27G0.4170.01643.313.333.23Very thin stripsRare
28G0.3760.01482.983.002.91Thin strips, shimsRare
30G0.3050.01202.422.442.36Shims, thin foilRare

* SWG = Standard Wire Gauge — primary gauge standard used across Indian SS sheet industry. kg/m² = Thickness (mm) × Density (g/cm³). SS 304 density 7.93 g/cm³ | SS 316 density 7.98 g/cm³ | SS 202 density 7.75 g/cm³. Source: BIS IS 6911:1992 and BS 3737. Click column headers to sort. "Common" = readily available from Indian stockists in 2026.

Showing all 22 rows
Gauge (BWG) Thickness (mm) Thickness (inch) SS 304 kg/m² SS 316 kg/m² SS 202 kg/m² Nearest SWG Equivalent
3G6.6040.260052.3752.7051.18≈ 3 SWG
4G6.0450.238047.9448.2446.85≈ 4 SWG
5G5.5880.220044.3144.5943.31≈ 4–5 SWG
6G5.1560.203040.8941.1439.96≈ 5–6 SWG
7G4.5720.180036.2436.4835.43≈ 7 SWG
8G4.1910.165033.2333.4432.48≈ 7–8 SWG
9G3.7590.148029.8129.9929.13≈ 9 SWG
10G3.4040.134026.9927.1626.38≈ 10 SWG
11G3.0480.120024.1724.3223.62≈ 10–11 SWG
12G2.7690.109021.9622.0921.46≈ 11–12 SWG
13G2.4130.095019.1319.2418.70≈ 13 SWG
14G2.1080.083016.7216.8216.34≈ 14 SWG
15G1.8290.072014.5014.6014.17= 15 SWG
16G1.6510.065013.0913.1712.80≈ 16 SWG
17G1.4730.058011.6811.7511.42≈ 16–17 SWG
18G1.2450.04909.879.939.65≈ 18 SWG
19G1.0670.04208.468.518.27≈ 19–20 SWG
20G0.8890.03507.057.096.89≈ 20 SWG
22G0.7110.02805.645.675.51= 22 SWG
24G0.5590.02204.434.464.33= 24 SWG
26G0.4570.01803.623.653.54= 26 SWG
28G0.3810.01503.023.042.95≈ 28 SWG

* BWG = Birmingham Wire Gauge. Used in older British-era Indian industrial drawings and some tube/pipe specifications. BWG numbers differ from SWG values for the same gauge number — always confirm which standard applies. Major difference: BWG 14G = 2.108 mm vs SWG 14G = 2.032 mm (3.7% thicker). Source: ASTM B888 / BS 1052.

Showing all 19 rows
Gauge (MSG) Thickness (mm) Thickness (inch) SS 304 kg/m² SS 316 kg/m² SS 202 kg/m² Nearest SWG / mm
7G4.7630.187537.7738.0136.91≈ 6–7 SWG
8G4.1660.164033.0433.2432.28≈ 7–8 SWG
9G3.7970.149530.1130.3029.43≈ 9 SWG
10G3.4160.134527.0927.2626.47≈ 10 SWG
11G3.0380.119624.0924.2423.54≈ 10–11 SWG
12G2.6570.104621.0721.2020.59≈ 12 SWG
13G2.2780.089718.0618.1717.65≈ 13 SWG
14G1.8970.074715.0415.1414.70≈ 14–15 SWG
15G1.7090.067313.5513.6313.24≈ 15–16 SWG
16G1.5190.059812.0512.1211.77≈ 16–17 SWG
17G1.3670.053810.8410.9110.59≈ 17 SWG
18G1.2140.04789.639.689.41≈ 18 SWG
19G1.0620.04188.428.478.23≈ 19–20 SWG
20G0.9120.03597.237.287.07≈ 20 SWG
21G0.8360.03296.636.676.48≈ 21 SWG
22G0.8530.03366.766.816.61≈ 20–21 SWG
24G0.7010.02765.565.595.43≈ 22–23 SWG
26G0.5790.02284.594.624.49≈ 24 SWG
28G0.4370.01723.473.493.39≈ 27–28 SWG

* MSG = Manufacturer's Standard Gauge — US origin, based on weight per square foot at specific steel density. Commonly used in North American SS sheet specifications and sometimes in imported coil data for India. Not equivalent to SWG or BWG — always cross-check with mm value when converting US drawings to Indian market specifications.

This table shows weight per m² and weight per standard 2500×1250 mm sheet for the three most common SS grades in India — SS 304, SS 316 and SS 202 — against SWG gauge numbers. Densities: SS 304 = 7.93 g/cm³, SS 316 = 7.98 g/cm³, SS 202 = 7.75 g/cm³.
Gauge (SWG) Thickness (mm) SS 304 kg/m² SS 304 per sheet (kg) SS 316 kg/m² SS 316 per sheet (kg) SS 202 kg/m² SS 202 per sheet (kg)
10G3.25125.7880.5725.9481.0725.2078.74
12G2.64220.9565.4621.0865.8720.4863.99
14G2.03216.1150.3516.2150.6615.7549.21
15G1.82914.5045.3214.6045.6114.1744.28
16G1.62612.8940.2812.9740.5212.6039.38
17G1.42211.2735.2311.3435.4311.0234.43
18G1.2199.6730.209.7330.409.4529.52
19G1.0168.0625.188.1125.357.8724.60
20G0.9147.2522.657.2922.797.0822.14
21G0.8136.4520.146.4920.276.3019.68
22G0.7115.6417.615.6717.725.5117.21
23G0.6104.8415.114.8715.204.7314.77
24G0.5594.4313.854.4613.934.3313.54

* Weight per sheet based on standard 2500×1250 mm size (3.125 m²). Formula: kg/m² = Thickness (mm) × Density (g/cm³). Per sheet weight = kg/m² × 3.125 m². For other sheet sizes or circular blanks, use our Steel Sheet Weight Calculator. SS 316 is heavier than SS 304 at the same gauge due to higher molybdenum content increasing density to 7.98 g/cm³.

Stainless Steel Grades – Density, Properties & Indian Market Use

Key SS grades used for sheet metal in India — density, IS equivalents, common applications and availability in 2026

SS 304 / Grade 08Cr18Ni10
7.93
g/cm³
Most popular SS grade globally and in India. Contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel. Excellent corrosion resistance, formability and weldability. IS equivalent: IS 6911 Grade 08Cr18Ni10. Available in 2B, BA, No.4, HL and mirror finishes from Indian stockists.
Most Common in India
SS 316 / Grade 04Cr17Ni12Mo2
7.98
g/cm³
Contains 2–3% molybdenum for superior chloride and marine corrosion resistance. Higher density than SS 304 due to Mo content. IS equivalent: IS 6911 Grade 04Cr17Ni12Mo2. Premium priced — used in coastal, pharma, chemical and food processing industries in India.
Marine & Pharma Grade
SS 202 / Grade 12Cr17Mn6Ni5N
7.75
g/cm³
Indian domestic substitute for SS 304. Manganese replaces some nickel, reducing cost. Slightly lower corrosion resistance than SS 304. Widely used in Indian kitchenware, utensils, lift interiors, decorative cladding and general fabrication. Lower density = lighter sheets.
Indian Domestic Grade
SS 430 / Grade 10Cr17
7.74
g/cm³
Ferritic stainless steel — magnetic, no nickel content. Lower cost than austenitic grades. Cannot be hardened by heat treatment. Used in Indian appliances, automotive trim, architectural cladding and utensil industry where magnetism or lower cost is a priority.
Ferritic / Magnetic
SS 201 / Grade 12Cr17Mn6Ni5
7.78
g/cm³
Economy austenitic grade similar to SS 202 but with slightly different composition. Used in Indian budget kitchenware, press parts and decorative applications. Sometimes marketed as 200 series stainless in local Indian steel markets — verify grade and composition before use in food or pharma applications.
Economy Grade
SS 316L / Low Carbon
7.98
g/cm³
Low carbon variant of SS 316 (max 0.03% C). Reduces risk of carbide precipitation (sensitisation) during welding. Mandatory for welded chemical plant equipment and pressure vessels in India where post-weld annealing is not feasible. Same density and gauge chart as SS 316.
Welded / Chemical Plant
Quick Density Memory Aid for Indian Market:
SS 304 = 7.93  |  SS 316 = 7.98  |  SS 202 = 7.75  |  SS 430 = 7.74  |  MS = 7.85
SS grades are 1–1.7% heavier than MS at same thickness. SS 202 is the lightest austenitic grade and only slightly heavier than MS.

Stainless Steel Sheet Surface Finishes – India IS 6911

Standard SS sheet finishes available from Indian stockists — code, appearance and typical applications

2B
Cold Rolled, Annealed & Skin Passed
Smooth, semi-reflective. Most common standard finish. Used for industrial and food equipment. Default supply finish from Indian mills.
BA
Bright Annealed
Mirror-like, highly reflective. Annealed in controlled atmosphere. Used in pharma equipment, decorative panels and reflectors.
No. 1
Hot Rolled, Annealed & Pickled
Dull, rough surface. Thicker plates and structural uses. Heavy industrial equipment and vessels. Not for decorative use.
No. 4
Brushed / Satin Finish
Unidirectional linear grain pattern. Most popular decorative finish in India — kitchen appliances, lifts, furniture, façade panels.
HL
Hairline Finish
Fine, continuous directional grain. Used in architectural cladding, elevator interiors, hotel lobbies and decorative fit-out across India.
8K / Mirror
Mirror / 8K Polished
High reflectivity mirror finish. Used in decorative cladding, signage and premium architectural applications in India. Premium priced.
No. 2D
Cold Rolled, Annealed & Pickled
Dull, non-reflective CR finish. Used for deep drawing applications — sinks, cookware blanks and pressed components.
Embossed
Patterned / Chequered
Textured surface patterns — Linen, Hammered, Diamond, Leather. Used for decorative wall panels, lift floors and anti-slip applications.

Surface finish does not affect gauge number, thickness or weight. Finish only affects surface appearance and cost. BA and 8K finishes carry 20–40% price premium over standard 2B. Source: IS 6911:1992 and Euro Inox Surface Finish Guide.

How to Read This SS Gauge Chart – Step by Step

Simple guide for Indian engineers, fabricators and procurement teams

1

Identify Your Gauge Standard

Confirm whether your drawing or supplier uses SWG (most common in India), BWG (older British drawings) or MSG (US/imported specs). The same gauge number gives very different thicknesses across standards — e.g., 14 SWG = 2.032 mm, 14 BWG = 2.108 mm, 14 MSG = 1.897 mm.

2

Use Quick Lookup

Enter your gauge standard and gauge number in the Quick Lookup box at the top of this page. Get instant thickness in mm and inch plus weight per m² for SS 304, SS 316 and SS 202 without scrolling through the full chart.

3

Search & Sort the Charts

Use the search box above each chart to filter by gauge number or type a thickness value to find the nearest gauge. Click any column header to sort ascending or descending. Use the thickness range filter to show only thin, light, medium or heavy gauges.

4

Check Weight per m²

Weight per m² = Thickness (mm) × Density (g/cm³). For SS 304 at 1.626 mm (16 SWG): 1.626 × 7.93 = 12.89 kg/m². Multiply by your sheet area in m² to get weight per sheet. Use the Weight by Grade tab for pre-calculated standard sheet weights.

5

Calculate Full Order Weight

Once you have kg per sheet from the chart, multiply by quantity for total kg and divide by 1000 for metric tonnes (MT). For exact calculation with custom sheet sizes, circular blanks or any quantity, use our Steel Sheet Weight Calculator.

6

Verify with Supplier MTC

For IS 6911 certified SS sheets, always verify gauge and actual thickness from the Mill Test Certificate (MTC). IS 6911 allows thickness tolerance of −0.04 mm to +0.10 mm for sheets under 1.6 mm. Actual weight may vary up to ±4% from nominal gauge weight.

Pro Tips – Stainless Steel Gauge Selection for India

Best practices from Indian SS fabricators, kitchen equipment manufacturers and architectural metalwork contractors

Never Mix SWG and BWG on One Project

The most common SS procurement error in India is mixing gauge standards on the same project. Always specify millimetres (mm) on your purchase order to completely avoid gauge ambiguity. Write: "SS 304 2B, 1.626 mm (16 SWG)" — never just "16 gauge SS". This eliminates the SWG vs BWG confusion that costs fabricators money every year.

Commercial Kitchen Gauge Standards

Indian commercial kitchen equipment standards (FSSAI and NSF equivalent) typically specify: worktops 16G SWG (1.626 mm) SS 304, sinks 18G SWG (1.219 mm) SS 304, storage racks 18G SWG SS 304, heavy duty prep tables 14G SWG (2.032 mm) SS 304. Never substitute SS 202 for SS 304 in food-contact surfaces — FSSAI audits flag this as a hygiene risk.

Architectural Cladding Gauge Guide

Standard Indian architectural SS cladding practice: façade panels minimum 1.5 mm (≈ 16G SWG) with backing, lift interiors 1.0–1.2 mm SS 304 HL or No.4, balustrade infill panels 1.5–2.0 mm SS 316 (coastal), signage letters 1.5–2.0 mm. Thinner than 1.0 mm requires a backing framework for rigidity and is prone to oil-canning on large flat areas.

Indian SS Sheet Prices 2026

Approximate ex-Mumbai stockist prices April 2026: SS 304 2B 1.0–3.0 mm: ₹2,00,000–₹2,30,000/MT; SS 316 2B: ₹2,90,000–₹3,30,000/MT; SS 202 2B: ₹1,20,000–₹1,45,000/MT; SS 304 No.4 carry 15–20% premium over 2B; SS 304 8K mirror carry 30–40% premium. Prices change weekly with LME nickel — always confirm current rates with Jindal Stainless, Chromeni or local stockist.

Minimum Bend Radius by Gauge

SS 304 requires larger bend radii than MS due to its higher work hardening rate. Approximate minimum inside bend radius: up to 16G SWG = 1×t; 14G–12G = 1.5×t; 10G and above = 2×t (where t = thickness). Across the grain direction requires 20–30% larger radius than along the grain. Incorrect bend radius causes cracking especially in heavy gauges — always trial bend before production runs.

Ordering Surplus for SS Projects

For SS 304 and SS 316 projects, order 5–8% surplus above net weight for cutting losses, trial pieces and storage scrap. SS offcuts have high scrap value (≈ ₹80–100/kg for SS 304 scrap in 2026) — always segregate SS scrap from MS. Store SS sheets on wooden dunnage — never on bare MS racks which cause iron contamination, leading to rust staining on the SS surface that is difficult to remove.

Need to Calculate Total SS Sheet Weight?

Use our free interactive Steel Sheet Weight Calculator — supports SS 304, SS 316, SS 202, circular and rectangular sheets, gauge to mm, all units.

Open Sheet Weight Calculator

Related Gauge Charts & Weight Calculators – SheetGauge India

More free reference charts and weight calculators for Indian fabricators and engineers

Frequently Asked Questions – SS Gauge Chart India

Common questions from Indian SS fabricators, kitchen equipment manufacturers and procurement teams

What gauge is 1.6 mm stainless steel in SWG?
1.6 mm stainless steel corresponds to approximately 16 SWG. Exact 16 SWG = 1.626 mm — which is commonly rounded to 1.6 mm in Indian market quotations. At 16 SWG, SS 304 weighs 12.89 kg/m² and SS 202 weighs 12.60 kg/m². This is one of the most widely used gauges for SS kitchen equipment cladding, lift interiors and general fabrication in India. A standard 2500×1250 mm sheet at 16 SWG SS 304 weighs approximately 40.28 kg.
What is the thickness of 18 gauge stainless steel in mm?
18 gauge stainless steel thickness depends on the gauge standard:
• 18 SWG = 1.219 mm (used in India — most common)
• 18 BWG = 1.245 mm (British Wire Gauge)
• 18 MSG = 1.214 mm (US Manufacturer's Standard)

In India, 18G SWG (1.219 mm) SS 304 is the standard gauge for commercial kitchen sinks, light food equipment, pharma panels and SS 202 cookware blanks. Weight = 1.219 × 7.93 = 9.67 kg/m². Always specify "18 SWG" or "1.2 mm" to avoid confusion when ordering from Indian stockists.
Which SS gauge standard is used in India — SWG, BWG or MSG?
India primarily uses SWG (Standard Wire Gauge) for stainless steel sheets — inherited from the British engineering system used during colonial-era industrialisation. The vast majority of Indian stockists, fabricators, kitchen equipment manufacturers and drawing offices reference SWG gauge numbers. BWG appears in older drawings and some tube/pipe specifications. MSG is sometimes used in imported coil data and US-origin engineering drawings. Best practice: always specify thickness in millimetres alongside the gauge number to eliminate ambiguity, as per current IS 6911:1992 practice.
What is the weight of SS 304 sheet per square metre at 1 mm thickness?
SS 304 weighs 7.93 kg/m² per 1 mm thickness (density 7.93 g/cm³). Simple formula: kg/m² = Thickness (mm) × 7.93. Examples: 1.5 mm = 11.90 kg/m², 2 mm = 15.86 kg/m², 3 mm = 23.79 kg/m². Compare with MS (7.85 kg/m² at 1 mm) and SS 202 (7.75 kg/m² at 1 mm). SS 304 is 1% heavier than MS at the same thickness. For SS 316, use density 7.98 — giving 7.98 kg/m² per mm thickness.
Is SS 202 a good substitute for SS 304 in India?
SS 202 is an acceptable substitute for SS 304 in non-critical, non-food-contact applications like decorative cladding, lift interiors, furniture, signage and general fabrication where appearance and cost savings matter more than superior corrosion resistance. SS 202 costs approximately 35–45% less than SS 304 in India (2026 prices).

Do not substitute SS 202 for SS 304 in: food-contact surfaces (FSSAI requirement), pharmaceutical equipment (GMP requirement), coastal or marine environments, chemical plant equipment or any application where pitting corrosion is a risk. In high humidity coastal areas like Mumbai, Chennai and Kochi, SS 202 sheets can show rust staining within 1–2 years in outdoor applications where SS 304 would perform for decades.
What is the difference between SS 304 and SS 304L gauge chart data?
SS 304 and SS 304L have identical density (7.93 g/cm³) and therefore identical gauge chart values — thickness, weight per m² and weight per sheet are the same for both. The "L" suffix means low carbon (max 0.03% C vs 0.08% for standard 304). The difference is only in metallurgical properties: SS 304L has better resistance to carbide precipitation (sensitisation) during welding, making it preferred for heavy welded fabrication. For weight calculation, procurement and gauge specification purposes, treat SS 304 and SS 304L as identical. Same applies to SS 316 and SS 316L (both density 7.98 g/cm³).