23 AWG vs 24 AWG Ethernet Cable: Which Should You Use?
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When contractors compare Ethernet cable, category gets most of the attention: Cat5e, Cat6 or Cat6A. Conductor gauge is just as important for understanding how a cable will behave in a real installation. Two common sizes are 23 AWG and 24 AWG.
The basic rule is simple: a lower AWG number means a larger conductor. A 23 AWG copper conductor is larger than a 24 AWG conductor. That difference affects electrical resistance, cable diameter, flexibility and, in some applications, how much margin you have for Power over Ethernet.
23 AWG vs 24 AWG at a glance
| Consideration | 23 AWG | 24 AWG |
|---|---|---|
| Conductor size | Larger | Smaller |
| Electrical resistance | Generally lower | Generally higher |
| Typical cable feel | Thicker / stiffer | Thinner / more flexible |
| Permanent horizontal runs | Common choice, especially in Cat6 | Also widely used depending on cable design |
| Patch cords | Less common where flexibility is important | Common, although other gauges are also used |
| PoE considerations | Lower resistance can be advantageous | Can work well when the cable is properly specified |
Why larger conductors can help with PoE
Power over Ethernet sends DC power over the same balanced pairs used for data. Every conductor has resistance, and resistance creates voltage drop and heat. All else being equal, the larger 23 AWG conductor generally has less resistance than 24 AWG copper.
That does not mean every PoE installation requires 23 AWG cable. Cable category, conductor material, temperature rating, bundle size, channel length and the power requirements of the device all matter. For high-power or dense PoE projects, however, conductor size is one of the specifications worth checking instead of buying by category name alone.
For permanent commercial runs, browse our Cat6 cable and Cat6A cable selections and review the conductor specification on the product page.
Gauge does not determine Ethernet category
A common mistake is assuming that all Cat6 cable is 23 AWG or that 24 AWG automatically means Cat5e. Ethernet category performance is based on the complete cable construction and its verified electrical performance—not conductor gauge by itself.
Always evaluate the actual product specification. A properly designed 24 AWG cable can be category compliant, just as a 23 AWG cable still needs the correct construction and performance to qualify for Cat6 or Cat6A.
Solid vs stranded matters too
AWG is only part of the conductor story. Permanent in-wall cable is typically solid conductor because solid copper performs well over longer fixed runs and terminates cleanly to punch-down hardware. Flexible patch cords are commonly stranded.
If you are deciding between conductor constructions, see our solid vs stranded Ethernet cable guide.
What contractors should specify
For a bid or material list, do not write only “Cat6 cable.” Specify the items that actually affect installation and performance: category, conductor material, conductor gauge, shielding if required, jacket rating, color, box length and the environment where the cable will be installed.
For many commercial Cat6 permanent links, 23 AWG solid bare copper is a practical specification because it combines a robust conductor with the headroom installers commonly want for Gigabit networking and PoE. Other constructions can be entirely appropriate when their published specifications match the project.
Bottom line
Choose 23 AWG when you want a larger conductor, lower resistance and a common permanent-installation construction. Choose 24 AWG when the specified cable meets the performance requirement and smaller diameter or flexibility is useful. The correct answer depends on the entire channel—not one number on the box.
Need help building a material list for a commercial job? Visit Contractor Pricing or request a project quote.