Support: Rope Selection:
Measuring Rope Diameter


The correct diameter of a wire rope is the diameter of a circumscribed circle that will enclose all the strands. It's the largest cross-sectional measurement. You should make the measurement carefully with calipers.

Correct Measurement

Wire rope is normally made slightly larger than its catalog (or nominal) size. The following chart lists the size tolerances of standard wire rope.

Nominal Rope Diameter

Tolerance
Under                   Over

0 - 1/8"

-0                 +8%

Over 1/8" - 3/16"

-0                 +7%

Over 3/16" - 5/16"

-0                 +6%

Over 5/16"

-0                 +5%