Convert Brown & Sharpe (B&S) gauge to mm and inches for brass and copper sheet. Includes a sheet weight calculator, multi-material comparison, and full gauge reference table for gauges 1–36.
Essential reference numbers before you start
Quick gauge-to-mm lookup and mm-to-gauge finder for brass and copper
Enter gauge, sheet dimensions, and quantity — get instant total weight in kg and lbs
Brown & Sharpe gauge to mm, inches, and weight for brass and copper. Click any row to auto-fill the weight calculator.
| Gauge | Inches | mm | Brass kg/m² | Copper kg/m² | Common Use |
|---|
| Gauge | Inches | mm | Brass kg/m² | Copper kg/m² | Common Use |
|---|
| Gauge | Inches | mm | Brass kg/m² | Copper kg/m² | Common Use |
|---|
* Brown & Sharpe (B&S) gauge system. Brass density = 8.53 g/cm³, Copper density = 8.96 g/cm³. Reference: Metal Supermarkets & Misumi Gauge Chart.
Critical difference: B&S gauge (non-ferrous) and MSG gauge (steel) use different standards. Never substitute based on gauge number alone.
| Gauge | Brass / Copper (B&S) mm | Steel (MSG) mm | Aluminum (B&S) mm | Difference B&S vs MSG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 3.264 | 4.175 | 3.264 | B&S −0.911 mm |
| 10 | 2.588 | 3.416 | 2.588 | B&S −0.828 mm |
| 12 | 2.052 | 2.656 | 2.052 | B&S −0.604 mm |
| 14 | 1.628 | 1.897 | 1.628 | B&S −0.269 mm |
| 16 | 1.290 | 1.518 | 1.290 | B&S −0.228 mm |
| 18 | 1.024 | 1.214 | 1.024 | B&S −0.190 mm |
| 20 | 0.813 | 0.911 | 0.813 | B&S −0.098 mm |
| 22 | 0.643 | 0.759 | 0.643 | B&S −0.116 mm |
| 24 | 0.511 | 0.607 | 0.511 | B&S −0.096 mm |
| 26 | 0.404 | 0.455 | 0.404 | B&S −0.051 mm |
Industry applications for common gauge ranges across both metals
The most common ordering mistake is assuming 18 gauge brass equals 18 gauge steel. B&S gauge 18 = 1.024 mm; MSG (steel) gauge 18 = 1.214 mm. Always quote material type alongside gauge number on purchase orders.
At the same gauge, copper sheet is about 5% heavier than brass (8.96 vs 8.53 g/cm³). For large area projects — copper roofing, cladding — this adds significant structural and freight load. Always calculate by material using the weight calculator above.
Brass and copper are sold in different tempers (Soft/Annealed, Half-Hard, Full-Hard, Spring). Temper does not change the gauge or thickness — only work hardening and spring-back characteristics. For deep drawing, specify Soft or Annealed temper.
Gauge wheels calibrated for steel give wrong readings on brass and copper because the gauge-to-mm values differ. Use a digital micrometer for actual measurement, then match to the B&S chart above to confirm the gauge.
Brass and copper oxidize on the surface over time — the patina on copper (verdigris) or brass tarnish adds a micro-layer but is not significant for engineering purposes. For architectural work, specify pre-patinated sheet if a uniform aged finish is required.
Brass and copper carry significant scrap value. Keep a record of offcut weights using the weight calculator — at current metal prices, even small offcuts from thick gauge sheet can be worth recovering rather than discarding.
Gauges 24–36 (below 0.5 mm) can be scored and snapped cleanly. Gauges 16–22 (0.6–1.3 mm) are best cut with metal shears or a guillotine. Gauges 8–14 (1.6 mm+) typically need a band saw or cold chisel for clean edges without work hardening the cut zone.
Standard brass (C260, 70% Cu / 30% Zn) = 8.53 g/cm³. Gilding metal (C210, 95% Cu / 5% Zn) = 8.86 g/cm³. Naval brass (C464, 60% Cu / 39% Zn / 1% Sn) ≈ 8.41 g/cm³. Use the Custom Density option in the weight calculator for non-standard alloys.