WIRE·FILL·CHARTNEC 2023 · CH. 9
FIG. 01 — REFERENCE TABLE

THHN Wire Fill Chart

THHN maximum conductors across every common conduit type — EMT, IMC, RMC, PVC Sch 40, PVC Sch 80, FMC, LFNC, and ENT — NEC 2023.

THHN is the most-pulled conductor insulation in the US. This wire fill chart switches between every conduit type at a single click so you can pick the right raceway. For mixed-gauge runs, switch to the conduit fill calculator.

TABLE · EMT × THHN
NEC 2023 · CH. 9
Maximum number of THHN (90°C dry) conductors per EMT — Electrical Metallic Tubing trade size at NEC fill limits.
TRADE →
WIRE ↓
1/2"3/4"1"1-1/4"1-1/2"2"2-1/2"3"3-1/2"4"
14 AWG1221356183138241364476608
12 AWG916254461100176266347443
10 AWG51016283863111167218279
8 AWG3591622366496126161
6 AWG146111626466991116
4 AWG124791628425671
3 AWG113681324364760
2 AWG112571120303950
1 AWG11135815222937
1/01134712192431
2/01123610152026
3/0111358131722
4/011147101418
2501113581114
300112571012
35011146811
40011136710
5001113568
600112456
700111345
750111345
80011345
90011234
100011234

EMT — Electrical Metallic Tubing × THHN (90°C dry) · NEC 2023 Ch.9 Tables 4 & 5 · 40% (3+), 31% (2), 53% (1)

FIG. 02

NOTES & CONTEXT

What is THHN?

THHN stands for Thermoplastic High Heat-resistant Nylon-coated. Rated 90°C in dry locations, it's the workhorse of US commercial wiring. The dual-rated THWN-2 carries the same Table-5 dimensions as THHN but adds a 90°C wet rating — that's why most modern building wire is stamped THHN/THWN-2 on the same conductor.

THHN wire fill chart math

A 12 AWG THHN conductor occupies 0.0133 in² (Table 5). At NEC's 40% fill, a 1/2" EMT's 0.304 in² interior allows 0.304 × 0.40 = 0.1216 in² of conductor area — so 0.1216 ÷ 0.0133 = 9 conductors. That's the number you'll see in the chart above.

THHN vs RHH conductor area — why insulation matters

The same #12 copper conductor in RHH insulation is 0.0260 in² — almost double THHN's. That's why the chart shows fewer conductors for RHH at the same conduit size. Always confirm the insulation marking before sizing the conduit.

THHN in wet locations

Single-stamped THHN (not THWN-2) is dry-only. If your conduit ever sees moisture — outdoor PVC, underground feeds, even condensation in unconditioned attics — you need THWN-2 or XHHW-2. The fill chart values are the same, so this is purely a code-compliance choice, not a sizing one.

FIG. 03

FAQ

THHN is Thermoplastic High Heat-resistant Nylon-coated — a 90°C dry-rated building wire with PVC primary insulation and a nylon outer jacket. It's the workhorse conductor for US commercial wiring, almost always dual-stamped THHN/THWN-2 for 90°C wet rating as well.