Kitchen Outlet Circuit (20A, 120V) Wire Gauge — NEC 2023 Sizing Guide
Standard 20A 120V kitchen small-appliance branch circuit. Use 10 AWG copper. 20A at 50 ft on 120V: 2.07% voltage drop.
10 AWG
copper conductor
2.07%
voltage drop
30A
ampacity
Advanced options — derating, breaker & conduit
10 AWGcopper
Ampacity OKVD 2.07%VD GOVERNS
Long run (50 ft) requires upsizing from 12 AWG to 10 AWG for voltage drop.
Ampacity30Aat 60°C
Voltage drop2.07%2.49V
At load117.5Vreceiving end
Circular mils10,3805.26 mm²
Min for ampacity
12 AWG
6,530 CM
Min for ≤3% VD ← governs
10 AWG
10,380 CM
⚠Long run (50 ft) governs — upsized from 12 AWG to 10 AWG for ≤3% VD.
Copper vs Aluminum (for 20A at 50 ft on 120V)
Copper
12 AWG
VD: 3.3% · 3.31 mm²
Aluminum
10 AWG
VD: 3.4% · 5.26 mm²
Kitchen Outlet Circuit (20A, 120V)
Standard 20A 120V kitchen small-appliance branch circuit.
For a 20A load at 50 ft on 120V, use 10 AWG copper.
Kitchen outlets — NEC requires 20A for kitchen small-appliance circuits
Required wire gauge
Voltage drop governs
10 AWG copper
30A ampacity | 2.07% voltage drop | 120V system
Circuit specifications
NEC 2023 compliant. Min wire for ampacity: 12 AWG. Min wire for 3% VD: 10 AWG.
Preset distance sensitivity
How Kitchen Outlet Circuit (20A, 120V) sizing changes as one-way run distance changes.
Preset voltage drop by distance
Visual Analysis1 series6 points
Interactive line view for 1 series and 6 sampled points, built for quick reading and clear comparison.
Trend
Upward
Min
1.65
Max
2.6
Insight
Preset voltage drop by distance shows an upward pattern, with a visible peak around 100 ft at 2.6.X-axis: One-way distanceY-axis: Voltage drop (%)
Preset voltage drop by distance
Installation planning checklist
Checklist values are generated from the preset and must be confirmed against the actual equipment and local code before installation.
Copper vs aluminum preset alternatives
Preset alternatives keep the same load, voltage, distance, and voltage-drop target while changing conductor material.
Preset assumptions
This preset models 20A, 120V single-phase, 50 ft one-way, copper conductor, 60C temperature rating, and 3% maximum voltage drop.
Presets are planning shortcuts for common search intents. The equipment nameplate, MCA/MOCP values, continuous-load status, conductor count, ambient temperature, and local amendments can change the final answer.
Common use: Kitchen outlets — NEC requires 20A for kitchen small-appliance circuits
Safety and code review notes
Confirm breaker size, conductor insulation, terminal temperature rating, grounding conductor, raceway fill, GFCI/AFCI rules, and wet-location requirements before installation.
For EV chargers, HVAC equipment, motors, spas, detached structures, and service feeders, nameplate and local-code rules can override a generic ampacity calculation.
This preset has warnings: Long run (50 ft) governs — upsized from 12 AWG to 10 AWG for ≤3% VD.
Wire sizing derivation
Load: 20A at 120V (single-phase), 50 ft, copper at 60°C
Step 1 — Ampacity: find smallest wire where derated ampacity ≥ 20A → 12 AWG (base 20A, no derating)
Step 2 — Voltage drop: allowed VD = 120V × 3% = 3.5999999999999996V
CM = (2 × 12.9 × 20A × 50ft) / 3.5999999999999996V = 7,167 CM → 10 AWG
Step 3 — Recommended: 10 AWG (VD governs)
Breaker: NEC 240.6(A): use 20A breaker (next standard size ≥ 20A)
Ground wire: NEC Table 250.122: 20A OCPD → EGC ≥ 12 AWG Cu (or 10 AWG Al)
Power loss: 48W in run — ~420.5 kWh/yr (~$58.87/yr @ $0.14/kWh)
Cost: ~$0.72/ft × 100 ft = ~$72 (2024 retail THHN)
Conduit: minimum 3/4" EMT for 3 conductors of 10 AWG
Verification: 30A ≥ 20A ✓ | VD 2.07% ≤ 3% ✓
Preset wire sizing FAQ
Can I use this preset for every residential project?
No. The preset is a high-confidence planning model for a common setup, but equipment nameplate values, local code, and installation conditions can override it.
No. The preset is a high-confidence planning model for a common setup, but equipment nameplate values, local code, and installation conditions can override it.
Why does distance change wire size?
Longer runs increase circuit resistance and voltage drop, so the same amperage can require a larger conductor at longer distances.
Longer runs increase circuit resistance and voltage drop, so the same amperage can require a larger conductor at longer distances.
Can aluminum replace copper in this preset?
Only with AL-rated terminations and approved installation methods. Use the material alternatives table to compare gauge, ampacity, voltage drop, and cost.
Only with AL-rated terminations and approved installation methods. Use the material alternatives table to compare gauge, ampacity, voltage drop, and cost.
What field details must be checked?
Confirm breaker size, conductor material, insulation, terminal temperature, raceway fill, conductor count, ambient temperature, wet-location rules, and local amendments.
Confirm breaker size, conductor material, insulation, terminal temperature, raceway fill, conductor count, ambient temperature, wet-location rules, and local amendments.
Other common circuits
Electric Dryer (30A, 240V)10 AWG copper30A • 240V • 25ftEV Charger Level 2 (50A, 240V)8 AWG copper50A • 240V • 50ftElectric Range / Oven (50A, 240V)6 AWG copper50A • 240V • 25ftHot Tub / Spa (50A, 240V)8 AWG copper50A • 240V • 60ftSubpanel Feeder (100A, 240V)1 AWG aluminum100A • 240V • 75ftWorkshop Tool Circuit (30A, 240V)10 AWG copper30A • 240V • 75ft