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How many 2.5 mm² cables fit in 20 mm conduit?

Conduit fill calculator

Worked to AS/NZS 3000:2018. Tables checked 19 Sept 2026.

Conduit fill

34.56%

Permitted fill
40%
Cable area
61.07mm²
Conduit internal area
176.71mm²
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This result is a design aid. Verify it against the current standard.

A drawn result card from the Conduit Fill tool: conduit fill 34.56 %; checked.

Six single‑core 2.5 mm² cables fit in a 20 mm conduit, at a fill of 34.56 %. AS/NZS 3000:2018 Appendix C Paragraph C6.2 sets the space factor the tool uses: 40 % for this number of cables.

The case

The conduit's internal area is 176.71 mm². The six cables take 61.07 mm² of it. A seventh cable takes the fill to 40.32 %, over the limit, and the tool then recommends 25 mm conduit.

Before you install

This count comes from the fill method. Appendix C Tables C10 to C12 also give a maximum-count guide, which can differ. Use the method your design states.

The fill method uses each cable's overall diameter. A multicore cable, or a cable with a thicker sheath, takes more room than its conductor size suggests. Enter the cables you will pull, and leave room for the draw-in.

See also: AS/NZS 3000 Appendix C conduit space factor and Conduit fill and installation methods.

Try it with these inputs

Cables
[{"size":2.5,"cores":"single","count":6}]
Conduit size
20 mm
Country
New Zealand
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Where next

The ideas behind it

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AmpSize is a design aid. Verify results against the current standard.

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