Is 16 gauge 1.5 mm

No, 16 gauge is not equal to 1.5 mm the actual dimension depends on which gauge standard you're referencing. For wire gauge (AWG), 16 gauge wire has a diameter of approximately 1.291 mm, which is somewhat close to 1.5 mm but not equivalent. For sheet metal gauge, 16 gauge steel thickness is approximately 1.52 mm (0.0598 inches), which is very close to 1.5 mm. For other materials or regional gauge standards, 16 gauge may indicate different thicknesses entirely.

The near-coincidence between 16 gauge sheet steel (1.52 mm) and 1.5 mm often causes confusion and leads people to assume equivalence, but even this 0.02 mm difference matters in precision work where tolerances are tight. Additionally, sheet metal gauge standards vary by material: 16 gauge aluminum is thicker (1.29 mm in some standards) than 16 gauge steel, and manufacturer-specific gauge tables may define 16 gauge differently. For wire, 16 AWG at 1.291 mm is noticeably thinner than 1.5 mm—this 0.2 mm difference affects current-carrying capacity, flexibility, and mechanical strength significantly in electrical and mechanical applications. When specifications reference gauge numbers, always convert to actual millimeter or inch measurements using the appropriate standard (AWG for wire, manufacturer's gauge table for sheet metal, USS/manufacturer standard for other materials) rather than assuming gauge numbers translate directly to millimeter values. This prevents material selection errors and ensures components meet design requirements.