WireGaugeCalc Free calculator · NEC cited · works offline
80 Amps Aluminum Wire
80 amps aluminum wire sizing is quick with WireGaugeCalc, since you enter 80 amps and aluminum and it returns the conductor from the NEC 310.16 ampacity table.
The calculator reads the correct termination temperature column, so the answer matches how the breaker and lugs are rated.
So you get an aluminum size that carries the 80 amp load without guessing across columns.
Open the calculatorEnter any two values and read the rest.
Ohm’s law: V = I × R and P = V × I. Field aid only, verify against the current NEC and your local authority having jurisdiction.
Why Aluminum Needs A Larger Size
Aluminum has more resistance than copper, so an 80 amp aluminum conductor is one or two sizes larger than the copper version.
The termination temperature sets the column you read, so a 75C rated lug lets you use a smaller conductor than a 60C rated one.
Reading the right column for the 80 amp load keeps the conductor safe at the connection points.
What You Get For An 80 Amp Aluminum Run
Pick the load, the metal, and the termination rating and the result shows:
- Aluminum conductor size for 80 amps from NEC 310.16
- The 60C and 75C column readings side by side
- A copper compare so you can weigh the trade
- The ampacity headroom above the 80 amp load
- A note when terminations cap the usable column
One app for every NEC calculation
WireGaugeCalc keeps the calculations you reach for most in one place:
- Voltage drop and wire sizing for any run
- Conduit fill for EMT, PVC, and RMC
- Box fill and junction box sizing
- Ampacity and temperature derating
- Motor circuit and load calculations
- Conduit bend offsets and saddles
Built for the field, works offline
The whole app runs on your phone, so it keeps working in a basement, an attic, or a job site with no signal.
There is no account to create and nothing to load. Open it, run the number, and get back to work.
- No signup and no signal needed
- Answers in a tap, not a spreadsheet
- Same tool on phone, tablet, and desktop
Every result cites the NEC article
Each answer shows the table or formula it came from, so you can check the method and learn the code as you go.
That makes the app useful on the job and during exam prep, since the reasoning is right next to the number.
Switch the code year your job runs on
Jurisdictions adopt the NEC at different times, so you can match the calculation to the code in force:
- NEC 2017, 2020, and 2023 tables
- Copper and aluminum conductors
- 60, 75, and 90 degree C terminations
- Single-phase and three-phase systems
Run the number, then get back to work
Stop flipping through a paper book or hopping between calculator sites. Enter your values, read the code-cited answer, and move on. Free to use, no signup.
Open the calculatorFrequently asked questions
What size aluminum wire is good for 80 amps?
At the 75C column, 80 amps usually calls for 4 AWG aluminum, while the 60C column pushes it larger. Verify the size against the current NEC and your local authority having jurisdiction.
Why is aluminum wire bigger than copper for 80 amps?
Aluminum carries less current per size because it has higher resistance, so it needs more cross-section to match the same 80 amp ampacity as copper.
Is WireGaugeCalc free to use?
Yes. Every calculator is free to run with no signup. A paid tier adds saved projects, PDF reports, and extra code years, but the core math stays free.
Does it work without internet?
Yes. The app runs on your device, so it keeps working with no signal on a job site, in a basement, or in an attic.
Are the results code accurate?
Results follow published NEC tables and standard formulas, and each answer shows the article it came from. It is a field aid, not a stamp of approval, so verify against the current code and your local authority before you wire anything.
Which NEC code year does it use?
You can switch between NEC 2017, 2020, and 2023, since jurisdictions adopt the code at different times. Pick the year your job runs on.