What Is the Voltage Drop for 10 AWG at 10A and 200 Feet?

10 AWG copper carrying 10 amps over 200 feet on a single-phase / DC circuit drops 4.96 volts (4.13% on a 120V source). This sits past the 3% target NEC 210.19(A) Informational Note 4 cites for branch circuits, but within the 5% target for feeder+branch total. Which one applies depends on whether this run is a branch circuit, a feeder, or a feeder+branch combined: if it's a branch circuit, it's past target; if it's a feeder alone or part of a feeder+branch combined system, the 5% total is the figure to check against whatever the upstream drop adds. Both are planning targets, not code requirements.

10 AWG, 10A, 200ft · single-phase / DC

4.96 V drop (4.13% on 120V)

On 120V circuit4.13%

On 240V circuit2.07%

Circuit basis: This uses the single-phase / DC round-trip formula (factor of 2) for the voltage drop across the two circuit conductors. For a three-phase line-to-line run use the three-phase version of the page (append ?type=3ph). Switch to the three-phase version →

Gauge

10 AWG

Amps

Feet

Drop @ 120V

4.96V (4.13%)

Assumes a 120V source on a single-phase / DC circuit. Use the circuit-basis link above to switch between single-phase/DC and three-phase.

Voltage Drop Formula (single-phase / DC)

V_drop = (2 × L × I × R) ÷ 1000

(2 × 200 × 10 × 1.24) ÷ 1000 = 4.96 V

DC and single-phase AC use the round-trip factor of 2. Current travels out to the load on one conductor and returns on another.

For a three-phase circuit at the same amps and distance, see the three-phase version (uses √3 instead of 2, so the drop is about 13.4% lower).

Percentage

%VD = (V_drop ÷ V_source) × 100

On 120V: (4.96 ÷ 120) × 100 = 4.13%

On 240V: (4.96 ÷ 240) × 100 = 2.07%

How This Estimate Changes with Run Length and Gauge

Gauge That Meets the 3% Target

The smallest gauge in our table that clears the 3% drop target at 10A over 200ft on 120V is 8 AWG. Shorter runs, higher source voltage, or a higher drop tolerance (feeder-only applications often accept up to 5%) can change the pick. Run the full wire-size calculator with your actual variables.

Impact of Distance

Voltage drop is proportional to distance. Here is 10 AWG at 10A at different distances:

Distance	Drop (V)	% on 120V	% on 240V	NEC (120V)
25ft	0.62V	0.5167%	0.2583%	OK
50ft	1.24V	1.03%	0.5167%	OK
75ft	1.86V	1.55%	0.775%	OK
100ft	2.48V	2.07%	1.03%	OK
150ft	3.72V	3.1%	1.55%	Caution
200ft	4.96V	4.13%	2.07%	Caution
300ft	7.44V	6.2%	3.1%	Past 5%

Same Run, Different Wire Gauges

How does wire gauge affect voltage drop for 10A at 200 feet on 120V single-phase / DC? Only gauges whose branch-circuit OCP cap is at or above the 10A load are listed, since thinner gauges would fail the ampacity check before drop even matters.

Gauge	Drop (V)	% on 120V	% on 240V	3% Target (120V)
10 AWG	4.96V	4.13%	2.07%	Caution
8 AWG	3.11V	2.59%	1.3%	OK
6 AWG	1.96V	1.64%	0.8183%	OK
4 AWG	1.23V	1.03%	0.5133%	OK
3 AWG	0.98V	0.8167%	0.4083%	OK
2 AWG	0.776V	0.6467%	0.3233%	OK

Related Calculations

cable Wire size: 10A, 200ft bolt Watts to amps calculator functions Voltage drop formula

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the voltage drop for 10 AWG at 10A and 200ft?expand_more

10 AWG carrying 10A over 200ft has a 4.96V drop (4.13% on 120V). Reference: 2.07% on 240V.

What wire gauge should I use instead of 10 AWG for this run?expand_more

This run is at 4.13% on 120V, past the 3% branch-circuit drop target. If you want to land under 3% at 10A over 200ft on 120V, the smallest gauge in our table that clears it is 8 AWG at 2.59%. Going up one size from 10 AWG is not always enough, each AWG step only drops the resistance by roughly 20-25%, so on long runs or high currents you often have to skip one or two sizes to meet the target. NEC 210.19(A) Informational Note 4 frames 3% as a recommendation, not a code requirement, so the right answer for you also depends on the load (motor startup, sensitive electronics) and how much drop is tolerable.

Does wire material affect voltage drop?expand_more

Yes. Aluminum has roughly 1.3 to 1.4 times the resistance of copper at the NEC Chapter 9 Table 8 75°C reference temperature, so for the same voltage drop an aluminum conductor is typically one to two gauges larger than copper. The exact gap depends on whether ampacity or voltage drop is binding, and the install still needs anti-oxidant compound and aluminum-rated lugs.

How do I reduce voltage drop?expand_more

Use a larger wire gauge (lower AWG number), shorten the run, or increase the source voltage. Each option reduces the percentage drop, and higher source voltage is usually the most effective change for long runs because the drop is a smaller fraction of a larger reference.

Does 10 AWG meet the 3% drop target at 10A and 200ft on 120V?expand_more

On 120V, this run sits at 4.13%, which is past the 3% branch target; within the 5% feeder+branch total. NEC 210.19(A) Informational Note 4 cites 3% for branch circuits and 5% for total feeder+branch drop as performance recommendations, not hard code requirements.

This calculator provides estimates for reference purposes only. Always consult a licensed electrician and verify compliance with the National Electrical Code (NEC) and local electrical codes before performing any electrical work.