What Is the Voltage Drop for 10 AWG at 16A and 100 Feet?

10 AWG at 16A and 100 feet: 3.97V drop (3.31% on 120V), computed on the single-phase / DC basis. Every conductor has resistance, and longer runs at higher currents drop more voltage. Use this calculation to check whether your run clears the 3% branch-circuit drop target before pulling wire.

10 AWG, 16A, 100ft · single-phase / DC

3.97 V drop (3.31% on 120V)

On 120V circuit3.31%

On 240V circuit1.65%

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

3.97V (3.31%)

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 × 100 × 16 × 1.24) ÷ 1000 = 3.97 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: (3.97 ÷ 120) × 100 = 3.31%

On 240V: (3.97 ÷ 240) × 100 = 1.65%

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 16A over 100ft 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 16A at different distances:

Distance	Drop (V)	% on 120V	% on 240V	NEC (120V)
25ft	0.992V	0.8267%	0.4133%	OK
50ft	1.98V	1.65%	0.8267%	OK
75ft	2.98V	2.48%	1.24%	OK
100ft	3.97V	3.31%	1.65%	Caution
150ft	5.95V	4.96%	2.48%	Caution
200ft	7.94V	6.61%	3.31%	Past 5%
300ft	11.9V	9.92%	4.96%	Past 5%

Same Run, Different Wire Gauges

How does wire gauge affect voltage drop for 16A at 100 feet on 120V single-phase / DC? Only gauges whose branch-circuit OCP cap is at or above the 16A 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	3.97V	3.31%	1.65%	Caution
8 AWG	2.49V	2.07%	1.04%	OK
6 AWG	1.57V	1.31%	0.6547%	OK
4 AWG	0.9856V	0.8213%	0.4107%	OK
3 AWG	0.784V	0.6533%	0.3267%	OK
2 AWG	0.6208V	0.5173%	0.2587%	OK

Related Calculations

cable Wire size: 16A, 100ft bolt Watts to amps calculator functions Voltage drop formula

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the voltage drop for 10 AWG at 16A and 100ft?expand_more

10 AWG carrying 16A over 100ft has a 3.97V drop (3.31% on 120V). Reference: 1.65% on 240V.

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.

Is voltage drop worse on 120V or 240V?expand_more

Same wire, same amps, same distance: the volts dropped are identical. But the percentage is worse on 120V because the drop is a larger fraction of the source voltage. This run would be 1.65% on 240V versus 3.31% on 120V.

Does 10 AWG meet the 3% drop target at 16A and 100ft on 120V?expand_more

On 120V, this run sits at 3.31%, 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.

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.

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.