What Gauge Extension Cord for a Table Saw?
For a typical 120V benchtop or contractor table saw drawing roughly 15A, our Appliance Amp Draw → Gauge table calls for a minimum of 14 AWG at 25ft, 12 AWG at 50ft, 10 AWG at 100ft, and 8 AWG at 150ft. Check your specific saw's nameplate amperage first.
Motors are more sensitive to undersized cords than lighting
Motors draw substantially more sustained current than lights or electronics and are more sensitive to voltage drop — an undervolted motor runs hotter and weaker, which can shorten its own service life over time. That's why a general-purpose light-duty cord is the wrong choice for a saw even if it "works."
Reels must be fully unwound
If you're running a saw off a cord reel, unwind it completely first. A coiled reel traps heat far worse than a straight cord run and can overheat even at a gauge that's otherwise correct for the distance.
This page is general reference, not an electrical code determination.
Frequently Asked Questions
For a typical 120V benchtop or contractor table saw drawing about 15A, our Appliance Amp Draw to Gauge table calls for a minimum of 14 AWG at 25ft, 12 AWG at 50ft, 10 AWG at 100ft, and 8 AWG at 150ft. Check your saw's nameplate for its actual rated amps first.
Motors draw substantially more continuous current than lights or small electronics, and are more sensitive to voltage drop — an undervolted motor runs hotter, weaker, and can shorten its own life. That's why a general-purpose 16 AWG cord that's fine for a lamp is undersized for a saw.
Startup surge is brief and higher than running current, but standard cord-sizing practice (including our table) uses running/steady-state draw, consistent with how nameplate amperage is rated. If your saw trips breakers or bogs down on startup even on a correctly-sized cord, that's more likely an underpowered circuit or extension cord chain than the gauge itself.
Only fully unwound. A coiled reel traps heat far worse than a straight cord — running a saw off a still-wound reel can overheat the cord even if the gauge is otherwise correct for the distance.