--- title: "200 Amp Service Wire Size: Copper and Aluminum | FigureYard" description: "200 amp service wire: 2/0 AWG copper or 4/0 AWG aluminum for a single-family house under NEC Table 310.12, and why a 200 amp subpanel needs more." url: https://figureyard.com/energy/wire-size-for-200-amp-service/ image: https://figureyard.com/og/energy/wire-size-for-200-amp-service.png --- [Electrical, Heating & Insulation](https://figureyard.com/energy/) # Wire Size for a 200 Amp Service A 200 amp service for a single-family house takes 2/0 AWG copper or 4/0 AWG aluminum. These sizes come from the code's dwelling table, which lets the conductors that carry a whole home's load be sized for 83 percent of the rating. 4/0 aluminum is by far the most common choice, usually as SE cable from the meter to the panel or as USE cable underground. Reviewed by FigureYard editorial team · Updated October 13, 2026 · 7 sources *Interactive calculator on the page (inputs: The wire feeds; Load current; Circuit voltage; One-way distance; Conductor; Wire type; Runs for 3 hours or more at a time; Circuit; Allowed voltage drop (%)). The results below are for its default inputs.* **Wire size** **4/0 AWG** aluminum - Current the service wire must carry: **166.0** A - Rated for: **180** A - Voltage drop: **0.67** % - Longest run within 3%: **180** ft Each aluminum size for this circuit | Size | Rated | Drop | Fits | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 4 AWG | 65 A | 3.39% | Too small for the current | | 3 AWG | 75 A | 2.69% | Too small for the current | | 2 AWG | 90 A | 2.13% | Too small for the current | | 1 AWG | 100 A | 1.69% | Too small for the current | | 1/0 AWG | 120 A | 1.34% | Too small for the current | | 2/0 AWG | 135 A | 1.06% | Too small for the current | | 3/0 AWG | 155 A | 0.84% | Too small for the current | | 4/0 AWG | 180 A | 0.67% | Yes | The calculator is preset to a 200 amp whole-house service in aluminum. Enter the distance from the meter to the main panel to see whether a long run calls for more than the table size. ## How to use this calculator 1. Keep the rating at 200 amps, the main breaker. 2. Choose aluminum for the usual SE or USE cable, or copper for an older or a commercial-style installation. 3. Enter the one-way distance from the meter base or the service disconnect to the panel. 4. Feeding a 200 amp subpanel or a second building instead? Switch to a circuit or a subpanel; that feeder carries the full rating and takes larger wire. ## Worked examples ### A panel on the other side of the meter wall The wire feeds: A whole house (service) · Load current: 200 A · Circuit voltage: 240 V · One-way distance: 10 ft · Conductor: Aluminum - Wire size: 4/0 AWG aluminum - Current the service wire must carry: 166.0 A - Rated for: 180 A - Voltage drop: 0.17% - Longest run within 3%: 180 ft ### An underground service from a pedestal The wire feeds: A whole house (service) · Load current: 200 A · Circuit voltage: 240 V · One-way distance: 90 ft · Conductor: Aluminum - Wire size: 4/0 AWG aluminum - Current the service wire must carry: 166.0 A - Rated for: 180 A - Voltage drop: 1.50% - Longest run within 3%: 180 ft ### A copper service entrance The wire feeds: A whole house (service) · Load current: 200 A · Circuit voltage: 240 V · One-way distance: 25 ft - Wire size: 4/0 AWG aluminum - Current the service wire must carry: 166.0 A - Rated for: 180 A - Voltage drop: 0.42% - Longest run within 3%: 180 ft ## Service conductor size for a 200 amp dwelling by distance | One-way distance | Copper | Aluminum | | --- | --- | --- | | 10 ft | 2/0 AWG | 4/0 AWG | | 25 ft | 2/0 AWG | 4/0 AWG | | 50 ft | 2/0 AWG | 4/0 AWG | | 75 ft | 2/0 AWG | 4/0 AWG | Each cell: the smallest conductor under the dwelling service rule that keeps the drop at full rated current within the branch-circuit limit. A longer run can go past the largest size this calculator lists; size it with an electrician. ## Where 2/0 copper and 4/0 aluminum come from The rule asks the conductors to carry 83 percent of the service rating. 2/0 AWG copper is rated 175 amps and 4/0 AWG aluminum 180 amps in the higher temperature column, and both clear that share of a 200 amps service. The calculator applies the same rule, so its answer for this rating matches the table row. ## A 200 amp subpanel is a different answer The allowance belongs only to the conductors that carry the whole load of one dwelling. A 200 amp feeder to a subpanel, a garage or a second house must carry the full rating from the regular table: 3/0 AWG copper is rated 200 amps, and aluminum goes beyond the largest size listed here. For a smaller feed see the [100 amp subpanel](https://figureyard.com/energy/wire-size-for-100-amp-subpanel/) page. ## Who installs the service The service entrance belongs partly to the utility: they set the meter, often specify the meter base and the underground conductors, and will not energize a new service until the inspector signs it off. Plan the upgrade with them and a licensed electrician; the calculator is for knowing what to expect on the quote, and the [100 amp service](https://figureyard.com/energy/wire-size-for-100-amp-service/) page shows the smaller version. ## Common questions ### What size wire for a 200 amp service? 2/0 AWG copper or 4/0 AWG aluminum for the service of a single-family house, under NEC Table 310.12. ### Is 4/0 aluminum good for 200 amps? For a whole-house service, yes: it is rated 180 amps, more than the share of the rating the dwelling rule requires. For a 200 amp subpanel feeder it is too small. ### Is 2/0 copper good for 200 amp service? Yes, for a single-family service: 2/0 copper is rated 175 amps in the higher temperature column, and the rule asks for 83 percent of the rating. ### What size wire for a 200 amp subpanel? Larger than the service: a feeder to a subpanel carries the full rating, so 3/0 AWG copper, rated 200 amps, or a larger aluminum conductor. ## Related calculators - [Wire Size Calculator](https://figureyard.com/energy/wire-size-calculator/) - [Wire Size for a 100 Amp Service](https://figureyard.com/energy/wire-size-for-100-amp-service/) - [Wire Size for a 100 Amp Subpanel](https://figureyard.com/energy/wire-size-for-100-amp-subpanel/) - [Voltage Drop Calculator](https://figureyard.com/energy/voltage-drop-calculator/) - [Amp Calculator](https://figureyard.com/energy/amp-calculator/) Reviewed by FigureYard editorial team on 2026-10-13. Formulas are tested against published values, and material figures come from the sources below. [How we build our calculators](https://figureyard.com/editorial-policy/). ## Sources - [Michigan State University Electrical Tech Note 227: Sizing Conductors to Minimize Voltage Drop (Table 227.1, dc resistance at 75 °C)](https://www.maec.msu.edu/download_file/view/147/303) - [Cerrowire Voltage Drop Table (rev. 09/2018)](https://www.cerrowire.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Cerrowire_Voltage-Drop_210521.pdf) - [Electrical License Renewal (reproduces NEC 210.19(A)(1) text): 210.19(A)(1) Branch Circuits.](https://www.electricallicenserenewal.com/Electrical-Continuing-Education-Courses/NEC-Content.php?sectionID=818) - [Encore Wire (Prysmian): Wire Ampacity Size Table](https://www.encorewire.com/products/tools-and-resources/calculators/wire-size-table.html) - [City and County of Denver (Denver Residential Code 2021, adopting the 2021 IRC); viewer hosted by UpCodes: Chapter 36 Services: Denver Residential Code 2021 (based on the 2021 International Residential Code), Section E3603.1.1 Ungrounded Service Conductors](https://up.codes/viewer/denver/irc-2021/chapter/36/services) - [Cerrowire Ampacity Chart (ampacities based on the 2017 NEC Table 310.16)](https://www.cerrowire.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Cerrowire_Ampacity_Chart_210405.pdf) - [Mesa County (Colorado) Community Development Department, Building Division: Homeowner's Wiring Guideline 2020 (Administrative Review Application Process), effective March 1, 2021](https://www.mesacounty.us/sites/default/files/2022-12/residential-wiring-guideline-2020-nec-effective-3-1-2021.pdf)