# Expanded metal standard designations: 1/2-#13, 3/4-#9, 1-1/2-#9 — SWD, LWD, strand width, strand thickness, standard (raised) vs flattened

> What are the dimensions of standard expanded metal such as 1/2 #13, 3/4 #9 or 1-1/2 #9: SWD, LWD, strand width and thickness, and how does flattened differ from standard?

- Category: Hardware › Materials & stock
- Kind: Standard part
- Basis: Coyote Steel's raised-type table (16 styles), Russel Metals' selected styles for steel, aluminum and stainless, AMICO's flattened carbon steel table and two Continental Steel items; numbers only, shown side by side
- Page: https://xemstudio.com/objects/expanded-metal-standard-designations-swd-lwd/ · JSON: https://xemstudio.com/api/geometry?object=expanded-metal-standard-designations-swd-lwd · Plain text: https://xemstudio.com/objects/expanded-metal-standard-designations-swd-lwd/sheet.txt
- License: dimension sheet CC BY 4.0 (Xem Studio); files CC BY 4.0 or their publisher's license
- Use in every chat: add https://xemstudio.com/mcp as a connector (https://xemstudio.com/use-with-ai/)

**Exact dimensions.** True size, with no tolerance added.

## Notes

- Designation: the first number is the nominal diamond size in inches (1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 1, 1-1/2), the second is the approximate gauge of the sheet before it is expanded (No. 20, 18, 16, 13, 10, 9, 6); Coyote Steel adds that No. 9 and No. 10 are exceptions to the pattern, and Continental Steel's footnote says the first number is the width measured centre to centre of bonds. A third number (3/4-No. 9-11) is the gauge after flattening. Aluminum and stainless styles use a thickness in inches instead (1/2-.081, 3/4-.125, 1/2-.050).
- SWD is the short way of the diamond (across the sheet width in the usual orientation), LWD the long way (along the sheet length); SWO and LWO are the openings; strand width is the face of each strand; strand thickness is the gauge of the metal expanded; overall thickness is the height of the finished mesh. The sources define SWD / LWD differently and the numbers are not interchangeable: Coyote Steel prints 'diamond size' (3/4 No. 9: 0.86 × 2.0), Russel Metals prints 'bridge centre to centre' (3/4-9: 0.923 × 2) and AMICO prints 0.923 × 2.10 for the same nominal size. Read the column 'what SWD / LWD are' for each row; compare only like with like.
- Standard (raised) mesh keeps the strands angled out of the plane, so overall thickness is about twice the strand thickness or more (Coyote 3/4 No. 9: 0.290 against strand thickness 0.134); flattened mesh is rolled flat, which lengthens the diamond, thins it and raises its open area (McNichols: flattened has a smooth surface; standard 'greater rigidity and traction'). Continental Steel's two items illustrate it: 3/4-No. 13 standard is 0.185 in thick, 3/4-No. 9-11 flattened is 0.110 in.
- Where sources overlap they agree: 3/4 No. 13 standard is 0.88 × 2.0 in diamond, 0.185 in thick and 0.80 lb per sq ft at Coyote and Continental; 3/4 No. 9 standard is 180 lb per 100 sq ft at Russel Metals and 1.80 lb per sq ft at Coyote. AMICO's table is headed flattened and prints 157 lb per 100 sq ft for 3/4-#9 with strand width 0.165, thickness 0.108 and 64% open; it does not agree with the Continental flattened 3/4-9-11 item (171 lb; SWD 0.857), so treat AMICO's rows as one maker's listing. Russel Metals marks its values approximate and states weight and dimension tolerances elsewhere (not copied).
- Aluminum 'grating' expanded mesh (2.0 lb to 7.0 lb styles) and expanded steel grating (3 lb to 6.25 lb) exist in the Russel Metals and other tables but are left out here. Open area is as printed; it is not recomputed because the strands' exact geometry is not published. No file: the strand twist and bond shape of an expanded sheet are not published as numbers, so a drawn mesh would be invented. Perforated alternative: perforated-metal-round-hole-standard-patterns; woven alternative: woven-wire-mesh-sizes-opening-open-area; walkway grating: bar-grating-designations-19-w-4-naamm.
- McNichols publishes a spec sheet and CAD drawing PDF per expanded metal item; its category page is linked, nothing is copied.

## Sizes

| source | type | designation | SWD (in) | LWD (in) | what SWD / LWD are (source's wording) | SWO (in) | LWO (in) | strand width (in) | strand thickness (in) | overall thickness (in) | open area % | weight / gauge as printed | SWD × LWD (mm, computed) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coyote Steel | raised (standard) | 1/4 No. 20 | 0.26 | 1.0 | diamond size SWD × LWD | 0.13 | 0.69 | 0.076 | 0.036 | 0.125 | 40 | 0.86 lb per sq ft; gauge 20 | 6.6 × 25.4 |
| Coyote Steel | raised (standard) | 1/4 No. 18 | 0.26 | 1.0 | diamond size SWD × LWD | 0.13 | 0.69 | 0.076 | 0.047 | 0.125 | 40 | 1.14 lb per sq ft; gauge 18 | 6.6 × 25.4 |
| Coyote Steel | raised (standard) | 1/2 No. 20 | 0.46 | 1.2 | diamond size SWD × LWD | 0.38 | 0.88 | 0.066 | 0.036 | 0.134 | 71 | 0.43 lb per sq ft; gauge 20 | 11.7 × 30.5 |
| Coyote Steel | raised (standard) | 1/2 No. 18 | 0.51 | 1.2 | diamond size SWD × LWD | 0.38 | 0.95 | 0.089 | 0.047 | 0.161 | 65 | 0.7 lb per sq ft; gauge 18 | 13.0 × 30.5 |
| Coyote Steel | raised (standard) | 1/2 No. 16 | 0.51 | 1.2 | diamond size SWD × LWD | 0.38 | 0.89 | 0.089 | 0.059 | 0.159 | 65 | 0.86 lb per sq ft; gauge 16 | 13.0 × 30.5 |
| Coyote Steel | raised (standard) | 1/2 No. 13 | 0.5 | 1.2 | diamond size SWD × LWD | 0.35 | 0.9 | 0.098 | 0.089 | 0.199 | 61 | 1.47 lb per sq ft; gauge 13 | 12.7 × 30.5 |
| Coyote Steel | raised (standard) | 3/4 No. 16 | 0.88 | 2.0 | diamond size SWD × LWD | 0.7 | 1.64 | 0.095 | 0.059 | 0.183 | 76 | 0.54 lb per sq ft; gauge 16 | 22.4 × 50.8 |
| Coyote Steel | raised (standard) | 3/4 No. 13 | 0.88 | 2.0 | diamond size SWD × LWD | 0.76 | 1.64 | 0.095 | 0.089 | 0.185 | 76 | 0.8 lb per sq ft; gauge 13 | 22.4 × 50.8 |
| Coyote Steel | raised (standard) | 3/4 No. 10 | 0.89 | 2.0 | diamond size SWD × LWD | 0.68 | 1.56 | 0.141 | 0.089 | 0.277 | 69 | 1.2 lb per sq ft; gauge 10 | 22.6 × 50.8 |
| Coyote Steel | raised (standard) | 3/4 No. 9 | 0.86 | 2.0 | diamond size SWD × LWD | 0.6 | 1.45 | 0.137 | 0.134 | 0.29 | 68 | 1.8 lb per sq ft; gauge 9 | 21.8 × 50.8 |
| Coyote Steel | raised (standard) | 1 No. 16 | 1.01 | 2.38 | diamond size SWD × LWD | 0.88 | 1.94 | 0.095 | 0.059 | 0.21 | 82 | 0.47 lb per sq ft; gauge 16 | 25.7 × 60.5 |
| Coyote Steel | raised (standard) | 1-1/2 No. 16 | 1.35 | 3.0 | diamond size SWD × LWD | 1.18 | 2.6 | 0.112 | 0.059 | 0.21 | 85 | 0.4 lb per sq ft; gauge 16 | 34.3 × 76.2 |
| Coyote Steel | raised (standard) | 1-1/2 No. 13 | 1.35 | 3.0 | diamond size SWD × LWD | 1.2 | 2.6 | 0.112 | 0.089 | 0.213 | 85 | 0.6 lb per sq ft; gauge 13 | 34.3 × 76.2 |
| Coyote Steel | raised (standard) | 1-1/2 No. 10 | 1.35 | 3.0 | diamond size SWD × LWD | 1.16 | 2.52 | 0.14 | 0.089 | 0.248 | 81 | 0.79 lb per sq ft; gauge 10 | 34.3 × 76.2 |
| Coyote Steel | raised (standard) | 1-1/2 No. 9 | 1.33 | 3.0 | diamond size SWD × LWD | 1.14 | 2.43 | 0.141 | 0.134 | 0.289 | 76 | 1.19 lb per sq ft; gauge 9 | 33.8 × 76.2 |
| Coyote Steel | raised (standard) | 1-1/2 No. 6 | 1.33 | 3.0 | diamond size SWD × LWD | 1.0 | 2.31 | 0.203 | 0.198 | 0.41 | 70 | 2.5 lb per sq ft; gauge 6 | 33.8 × 76.2 |
| Russel Metals (approximate values) | standard steel | 3/16-22 | 0.203 | 0.5 | bridge centre to centre | 0.11 | 0.313 | 0.047 | 0.03 | — | — | 56 lb per 100 sq ft | 5.2 × 12.7 |
| Russel Metals (approximate values) | standard steel | 1/4-18 | 0.25 | 1 | bridge centre to centre | 0.11 | 0.718 | 0.072 | 0.048 | — | — | 114 lb per 100 sq ft | 6.3 × 25.4 |
| Russel Metals (approximate values) | standard steel | 1/2-13 | 0.5 | 1.2 | bridge centre to centre | 0.312 | 0.938 | 0.096 | 0.09 | — | — | 147 lb per 100 sq ft | 12.7 × 30.5 |
| Russel Metals (approximate values) | standard steel | 3/4-9 (10 ga.) | 0.923 | 2 | bridge centre to centre | 0.688 | 1.56 | 0.15 | 0.135 | — | — | 180 lb per 100 sq ft | 23.4 × 50.8 |
| Russel Metals (approximate values) | standard steel | 1-10H | 1 | 2.3 | bridge centre to centre | 0.75 | 1.56 | 0.18 | 0.135 | — | — | 200 lb per 100 sq ft | 25.4 × 58.4 |
| Russel Metals (approximate values) | standard steel | 1-1/2-9 (10 ga.) | 1.33 | 3 | bridge centre to centre | 1.16 | 2.45 | 0.142 | 0.135 | — | — | 120 lb per 100 sq ft | 33.8 × 76.2 |
| Russel Metals (approximate values) | flattened steel | 3/16-22F | 0.218 | 0.5 | bridge centre to centre | 0.094 | 0.343 | 0.063 | 0.027 | — | — | 72 lb per 100 sq ft | 5.5 × 12.7 |
| Russel Metals (approximate values) | flattened steel | 1/2-16F | 0.5 | 1.25 | bridge centre to centre | 0.312 | 1 | 0.096 | 0.056 | — | — | 82 lb per 100 sq ft | 12.7 × 31.8 |
| Russel Metals (approximate values) | flattened steel | 1-1/2-9F (10 ga.) | 1.33 | 3.2 | bridge centre to centre | 1 | 2.56 | 0.158 | 0.11 | — | — | 114 lb per 100 sq ft | 33.8 × 81.3 |
| Russel Metals (approximate values) | standard aluminum | 3/16-.032 | 0.203 | 0.5 | bridge centre to centre | 0.08 | 0.313 | 0.06 | 0.032 | — | — | 28 lb per 100 sq ft | 5.2 × 12.7 |
| Russel Metals (approximate values) | standard aluminum | 1/2-.081 | 0.5 | 1.2 | bridge centre to centre | 0.375 | 0.937 | 0.08 | 0.081 | — | — | 41 lb per 100 sq ft | 12.7 × 30.5 |
| Russel Metals (approximate values) | standard aluminum | 3/4-.125 | 0.923 | 2 | bridge centre to centre | 0.687 | 1.68 | 0.169 | 0.125 | — | — | 65 lb per 100 sq ft | 23.4 × 50.8 |
| Russel Metals (approximate values) | standard stainless | 5/16-20ST | 0.333 | 1.0 | bridge centre to centre | 0.219 | 0.75 | 0.078 | 0.037 | — | — | 86 lb per 100 sq ft | 8.5 × 25.4 |
| Russel Metals (approximate values) | standard stainless | 1/2-16ST | 0.5 | 1.2 | bridge centre to centre | 0.437 | 0.94 | 0.08 | 0.062 | — | — | 84 lb per 100 sq ft | 12.7 × 30.5 |
| Russel Metals (approximate values) | standard stainless | 1-1/2-9ST | 1.33 | 3.0 | bridge centre to centre | 1.13 | 2.5 | 0.155 | 0.14 | — | — | 137 lb per 100 sq ft | 33.8 × 76.2 |
| AMICO (page headed flattened, carbon steel A1011) | flattened | 1/4" - #20 | 0.25 | 1.05 | as printed | — | — | 0.079 | — | 0.029 (called 'Thickness') | 37 | 74 lb per 100 sq ft | 6.3 × 26.7 |
| AMICO (page headed flattened, carbon steel A1011) | flattened | 1/4" - #18 | 0.25 | 1.05 | as printed | — | — | 0.08 | — | 0.038 (called 'Thickness') | 36 | 100 lb per 100 sq ft | 6.3 × 26.7 |
| AMICO (page headed flattened, carbon steel A1011) | flattened | 1/2" - #20 | 0.5 | 1.26 | as printed | — | — | 0.079 | — | 0.029 (called 'Thickness') | 68 | 37 lb per 100 sq ft | 12.7 × 32.0 |
| AMICO (page headed flattened, carbon steel A1011) | flattened | 1/2" - #18 | 0.5 | 1.26 | as printed | — | — | 0.097 | — | 0.038 (called 'Thickness') | 61 | 61 lb per 100 sq ft | 12.7 × 32.0 |
| AMICO (page headed flattened, carbon steel A1011) | flattened | 1/2" - #16 | 0.5 | 1.26 | as printed | — | — | 0.098 | — | 0.048 (called 'Thickness') | 61 | 77 lb per 100 sq ft | 12.7 × 32.0 |
| AMICO (page headed flattened, carbon steel A1011) | flattened | 1/2" - #13 | 0.5 | 1.26 | as printed | — | — | 0.107 | — | 0.072 (called 'Thickness') | 57 | 126 lb per 100 sq ft | 12.7 × 32.0 |
| AMICO (page headed flattened, carbon steel A1011) | flattened | 3/4" - #16 | 0.923 | 2.1 | as printed | — | — | 0.111 | — | 0.048 (called 'Thickness') | 76 | 47 lb per 100 sq ft | 23.4 × 53.3 |
| AMICO (page headed flattened, carbon steel A1011) | flattened | 3/4" - #14 | 0.923 | 2.1 | as printed | — | — | 0.105 | — | 0.06 (called 'Thickness') | 77 | 56 lb per 100 sq ft | 23.4 × 53.3 |
| AMICO (page headed flattened, carbon steel A1011) | flattened | 3/4" - #13 | 0.923 | 2.1 | as printed | — | — | 0.106 | — | 0.072 (called 'Thickness') | 77 | 67 lb per 100 sq ft | 23.4 × 53.3 |
| AMICO (page headed flattened, carbon steel A1011) | flattened | 3/4" - #10 | 0.923 | 2.1 | as printed | — | — | 0.16 | — | 0.072 (called 'Thickness') | 65 | 102 lb per 100 sq ft | 23.4 × 53.3 |
| AMICO (page headed flattened, carbon steel A1011) | flattened | 3/4" - #9 | 0.923 | 2.1 | as printed | — | — | 0.165 | — | 0.108 (called 'Thickness') | 64 | 157 lb per 100 sq ft | 23.4 × 53.3 |
| AMICO (page headed flattened, carbon steel A1011) | flattened | 1" - #16 | 1.0 | 2.52 | as printed | — | — | 0.098 | — | 0.048 (called 'Thickness') | 80 | 38 lb per 100 sq ft | 25.4 × 64.0 |
| AMICO (page headed flattened, carbon steel A1011) | flattened | 1-1/2" - #16 | 1.33 | 3.15 | as printed | — | — | 0.119 | — | 0.048 (called 'Thickness') | 82 | 35 lb per 100 sq ft | 33.8 × 80.0 |
| AMICO (page headed flattened, carbon steel A1011) | flattened | 1-1/2" - #14 | 1.33 | 3.15 | as printed | — | — | 0.116 | — | 0.06 (called 'Thickness') | 83 | 43 lb per 100 sq ft | 33.8 × 80.0 |
| AMICO (page headed flattened, carbon steel A1011) | flattened | 1-1/2" - #13 | 1.33 | 3.15 | as printed | — | — | 0.116 | — | 0.072 (called 'Thickness') | 83 | 51 lb per 100 sq ft | 33.8 × 80.0 |
| AMICO (page headed flattened, carbon steel A1011) | flattened | 1-1/2" - #9 | 1.33 | 3.15 | as printed | — | — | 0.158 | — | 0.108 (called 'Thickness') | 76 | 105 lb per 100 sq ft | 33.8 × 80.0 |
| Continental Steel FEM-750-171 | flattened | 3/4"-No. 9-11 | .857 | 2.10 | SWD / LWD | — | — | — | — | .110 | — | 171 lb per 100 sq ft; gauge 9 before expanding, 11 after flattening | 21.8 × 53.3 (page prints mm) |
| Continental Steel SEM-750-80 | standard | 3/4"-No. 13 | .880 | 2.0 | diamond size | — | — | — | — | .185 | — | 80 lb per 100 sq ft | 22.4 × 50.8 |

## Where the files are

- Coyote Steel: [Expanded Metal, Raised Type: style designation, % open area, gauge, weight per sq ft, diamond size SWD × LWD, opening SWO × LWO, strand width × thickness, overall thickness](https://coyotesteel.com/products_expanded_raised.shtml) — web — Distributor page; numbers only
- Russel Metals: [Expanded mesh terminology and types: standard steel, flattened steel, aluminum and stainless styles with weight, SWD / LWD bridge centre to centre, openings, strand thickness and width (approximate values)](https://www.russelmetals.com/en/product/grating-mesh-and-perforated/expanded-metal/) — web — Distributor page; numbers only
- AMICO: [Flattened expanded metal, carbon steel (ASTM A1011): designation, SWD, LWD, strand width, thickness, open area %, weight lb per 100 sq ft](https://amicoglobal.com/flattened-expanded-metal/) — web — Maker page; numbers only
- Continental Steel: [Flattened expanded metal 3/4"-No. 9-11 (FEM-750-171): SWD, LWD, thickness, weight, gauge before and after flattening](https://continentalsteel.com/item/expanded-metal-and-gratings/flattened-expanded-metal/fem-750-171) — web — Distributor page; numbers only
- Continental Steel: [Standard expanded metal 3/4"-No. 13 (SEM-750-80): diamond size 0.880 × 2.0 in, thickness 0.185 in, weight 80 lb per 100 sq ft](https://titanium-stainless-steel.continentalsteel.com/printitem/expanded-metal-and-gratings/standard-expanded-metal/sem-750-80?plpver=10) — web — Distributor page; numbers only
- McNichols: [Expanded metal: standard, flattened, grating and designer items with per-item spec sheet and CAD drawing PDFs](https://www.mcnichols.com/expanded-metal/standard) — PDF, DWG — Maker site terms (drawings per item; DWG may need a login) (verify at link)

## Questions

**What does 3/4 #9 expanded metal mean?**

A 3/4 in nominal diamond expanded from about 9 gauge sheet. Coyote Steel prints its diamond as 0.86 × 2.0 in with strands 0.137 wide and 0.134 thick, 0.290 in overall, 68% open, 1.80 lb per sq ft.

**What are SWD and LWD in expanded metal?**

Short way and long way of the diamond: the two dimensions of one diamond, SWD across the sheet width and LWD along its length. Sources measure them differently (diamond size or bridge centre to centre), so check which one a table uses.

**What is the difference between flattened and standard expanded metal?**

Flattened is rolled flat for a smooth surface and a longer, thinner diamond; standard (raised) keeps the angled strands for rigidity and traction. Example: 3/4-No. 13 standard is 0.185 in thick, 3/4-No. 9-11 flattened is 0.110 in (Continental Steel).

**What does the second number in 1/2-#13 mean?**

The approximate gauge of the sheet before it was expanded (Continental Steel and Coyote Steel).

## Fits with

- [Perforated metal standard round-hole patterns: hole diameter × center pitch, 60° staggered, open area % and gauge (McNichols, Hendrick, EDCON) + 60 × 45 mm sample plates](https://xemstudio.com/objects/perforated-metal-round-hole-standard-patterns/)
- [Woven wire mesh sizes: mesh count, wire diameter, opening and open area — 2 to 325 mesh (square weave, market and mill grade)](https://xemstudio.com/objects/woven-wire-mesh-sizes-opening-open-area/)
- [Bar grating designations: 19-W-4, 19-W-2, 15-SGI-2, 11-W-4 — bearing bar spacing, cross bar spacing, bearing bar sizes and weight per sq ft (NAAMM MBG 531 style)](https://xemstudio.com/objects/bar-grating-designations-19-w-4-naamm/)
- [Sheet metal gauge chart: steel, galvanized, stainless and aluminum (10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 gauge in inches and mm)](https://xemstudio.com/objects/sheet-metal-gauge-chart-steel-galvanized-stainless-aluminum/)
- [Aluminum angles (equal and unequal leg): 1 x 1 x 1/8, 2 x 2 x 1/4, 3 x 3 x 1/4, 4 x 3 x 3/8 sizes and weights](https://xemstudio.com/objects/aluminum-angles/)
- [Square and rectangular steel tube sizes by gauge (1x1, 1-1/2, 2x1 in; 16, 14, 11 ga) + ASTM A500 corner radius limit, weight per foot](https://xemstudio.com/objects/steel-square-rectangular-tube-gauge-sizes/)