House Wiring Wire-Size Guide: Which Finolex Gauge for Each Room

One of the first questions every home builder faces is: which wire size do I need? Indian house wires are sold by cross-sectional area in square millimetres (sq mm), and using the right gauge keeps your home safe and your bills low. Here's a simple, practical guide.

What the sq mm number means

The bigger the sq mm, the more current the wire can safely carry. Under-sizing a wire causes heating and is a fire risk; over-sizing wastes money. Match the gauge to the load.

Room-by-room wire size guide

• 0.75 – 1.0 sq mm — lighting circuits, bulbs, tube lights and ceiling points.
• 1.0 – 1.5 sq mm — fan points and general 5A lighting/utility circuits.
• 2.5 sq mm — 6A/16A power sockets, fridge, TV, washing machine, kitchen points.
• 4.0 sq mm — air-conditioners, geysers and other high-load 16A appliances.
• 6.0 sq mm — sub-mains, heavy kitchen loads and longer runs.
• 10 sq mm and above — main incoming line and meter-to-DB connections (consult your electrician).

How many coils will a home need?

Finolex wires come in 90-metre, 180-metre and 300-metre coils. As a rough starting point, a 2BHK often needs several 90M coils across the common gauges, while a 3BHK or duplex needs more. The exact count depends on your floor plan and number of points — the easiest way is to share your wiring list with us for a precise material estimate.

Don't forget FR vs FR-LSH

For most homes, Finolex FR (flame-retardant) is the standard choice. If you want lower smoke and halogen emission in case of fire — recommended for bedrooms, kids' rooms and enclosed spaces — choose Finolex FR-LSH or Finolex Ultra. Read our FR vs FR-LSH vs Ultra comparison to decide.

Not sure what to order? Upload your wiring list and we'll prepare a complete, correctly-sized Finolex quote — delivered to your site by the next day.