Simple Explanation

A number that tells you how thick a wire is—the lower the number, the thicker the wire.

Concise Technical Definition

A unit of measurement (typically AWG, American Wire Gauge) used to indicate the diameter of a wire; smaller numbers represent thicker wires.

Layman-Friendly Analogy

Like shoe sizes in reverse—smaller numbers mean bigger wires.

Industry Usage Summary

Wire gauge (especially AWG) is critical in audio, electrical, and speaker setups to ensure proper current handling and minimize resistance over distance.

Engineering Shortcut

AWG: ↓gauge = ↑thickness = ↓resistance.

Full Technical Explanation

Gauge, most commonly referring to American Wire Gauge (AWG), is a standardized unit used to define the diameter of electrical wire. In this system, a lower gauge number corresponds to a thicker wire, capable of carrying more current with less resistance. A change of 3 in gauge roughly doubles or halves the cross-sectional area of the wire. For example, 10-gauge wire is much thicker (and lower resistance) than 16-gauge. In audio applications, thicker (lower gauge) wire is preferred for longer cable runs or high-power systems to maintain signal integrity and avoid power loss.