What extension cord gauge do I need? That’s a good question that you will get answered in this article.
Extension cords play a vital role in almost everyone’s life. Not all the time, an outlet is close enough to access. In this case, you will need one from a nearby outlet to your location.
Many times it has made it easy for people to the plugin. It enables people to recharge a device or supply power to an appliance. They can also provide light. Just like AWG wires, they come in different forms & types.
Summary
We tested a number of products and found that Southwire was the best extension cord manufacturer across a number of gauges. Here are our recommendations for various gauges:
Here’s a quick look at our recommendations:
Table could not be displayed.Why you can trust us & how we picked
We’ve tried and tested all the extension cords we have posted on this page. We have also written extensively on electrical topics and feel we know what we’re talking about. We picked extension cords with different capabilities to reflect the different needs people have.
If you have ever been to an electrical supply store, you will notice they come in different lengths and sizes. The most common length are 25 ft, 50 ft, 100 ft, and 200 ft.
In a recent study by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, extension cords are among the most dangerous electrical products for home use.
The main reason it is dangerous is the incorrect size and use. With that said, people need to know how to prevent them from failing.
Table of Contents
Best 6 gauge
A 6-gauge aluminum extension cord has a rating of 50 amps at an ambient temperature of 167°F or 60 at an ambient temperature of 194°F.
A 6-gauge copper extension wire has a rating of 55 amps at an ambient temperature of 140°F. It’s rated 65 at 167°F and 75 at 194°F. Some thick extension cords are waterproof. It is best practice to check the specifications.
Here’s a great option from PrimeWeld.
Pros
- It can handle 50 amp welding jobs.
- It will be able to handle most electrical needs you have.
- It works for most welders on the market.
- PrimeWeld is a major player in the welding space.
Cons
- It’s only 50′ long.
8 gauge
An 8-gauge aluminum extension cord has a rating of about 40 amps at an ambient temperature rating of 167°F or 45 at an ambient temperature rating of 194°F. An 8-gauge copper extension cord is rated at 40 amps at an ambient temperature of 140°F. It’s rated 50 at 167°F and 55 at 194°F.
Aside from knowing the above information, the safe length for an 8 AWG wire is also important. An 8-gauge extension cord wire is thicker than a 10, making it more heavy-duty than the latter.
It comes in several lengths. Some of them include 25 ft., 50 ft., and 100 ft. You can use an 8-gauge 50 ft. extension wire with a welding machine. Some long cables are retractable, making it easy to pack them up.
Pros
- It’s 40 feet long.
- We love the molded plug.
- It’s very durable.
- It worked with the MIG welder we tried it with.
Cons
- They don’t sell options longer than 40 feet.
Aside from metal welding, there are other welding types available. Some of these types are gas welding and glass welding.
10 gauge
How many Amps & Watts Can it Handle?
A 10-gauge aluminum extension cord has a rating of 30 amps or 3600 watts at an ambient temperature of 167°F or 35 at 194°F. A copper wire of the same AWG has a rating of 30 at 140°F. It’s rated 35 at 167°F and 40 at 194°F.
You can use a 10/3 with a ground wire for an apartment. They’re great for a large air conditioner or an electric dryer. Only appliances mentioned with a rating of up to 30 amps are compatible.
Note that some of these appliances use a NEMA 10-30 three-prong plug, so you may want to pick a multi-outlet option.
Name | 10/3-3 Triple Outlet Ultra Heavy Duty |
Gauge | 10 |
Length | 100′ |
Name | GearIT |
Voltage | 125 Volts |
Pros
- It’s 100 feet long.
- They have many cords available to choose from.
- We love the 3-outlet plug.
Cons
- It might be a bit pricey.
- It still twists and kinks like other cables.
12 gauge

A 12-gauge aluminum extension cord has a rating of 20 amps at 167°F and 25 at 194°F. A copper wire of the same AWG has a rating of 25 at 140°F. It’s rated 25 at 167°F and 30 at 194°F.
You can use a 12/3 cord in various appliances and tools, such as but not limited to:
- air compressors,
- saws,
- drills,
- lawn equipment,
- vacuums,
- chargers,
- heaters,
- and generators.
Some options come in a male-to-male or double-male format. However, never use this as it is dangerous and prone to fire.
Name | 12/3 Outdoor Extension Cord |
Connector Gender | Male-to-Female |
Gauge | 12 |
Input Current | 20 Amps |
Length | 25′ – 100′ |
Store | Addlon |
Voltage | 125 Volts |
Pros
- They offer 25 to 100 feet cords.
- It’s reasonably priced.
- We love that the ends light up.
- Shipping was done nicely.
Cons
- We found no proof it’s ETL-listed.
14 gauge
In the case of a 14-gauge extension cord, it usually only uses copper for the conductive part. It has a rating of 20 amps at an ambient temperature rating of 140°F and 167°F and 25 at 194°F.
16 gauge
A 16-gauge extension cord has a rating of 13 amps, which you can use for a light-duty job. This type can only support devices that are not power-hungry. It is dangerous to use it with a space heater or any heat-generating appliance, such as toasters.

