What is the Correct Spelling Baling Wire or Bailing Wire?

The correct spelling is baling wire, although if you search for bailing wire online, you'll get near enough the same results. This is because the two spellings have become somewhat (incorrectly) interchangeable, and many companies still refer to it as bailing wire. Baling and bailing are known as homophones, two words that have separate meanings, yet they sound exactly the same. Bear in mind, however, that currently, Google will suggest the correction of baling wire if you search instead for bailing wire. There is also no difference in the product that the words are describing, so one type of wire will not differ in function from another simply because of the name. The term bailing usually refers to either the releasing of a prisoner on bail, bailing out a bank or an institution (providing it with money to keep it afloat), or to leaving an area (informally). Baling, on the other hand, often refers to the bundling of goods, the primary function of what baling wire is used for. As a noun, a bale describes a tightly packed bundle of materials like hay, cardboard, or scrap metal. To find out more, you can check out this blog post on bailing wire vs baling wire.

Do You Have a Wire Gauge Chart to Choose the Correct Size?

Gauge refers to the thickness of a wire. Gauges operate on an inverse scale, which means the smaller the gauge number, the larger the circumference of the wire. Typically, baling wire starts at around 9 gauge, and can go all the way up to the incredibly thin 35-gauge variety. Choosing the right type of baling wire can be tough if you don’t know what to look for, yet it’s essential if you want to ensure maximum quality and functionality. You can find a reliable wire gauge chart by clicking here. You can find a wide range of different gauge baling wire online, but if you’re not sure which one will work best, don’t hesitate to contact the manufacturer of your baling machine; they should be able to give you advice on which size go for. For paper, it’s worth going for a lighter gauge, like a 14, but for tougher materials like plastics, you’ll probably need to go as low as 12. It’s worth noting that the properties of the wire can differ based on whether they’re galvanized or annealed, even if they’re the same gauge. Remember that it’s crucial to check your baler’s specifications before you start using the wire, as it may have limitations as to what gauge you can use.

Which Wire is Best for Cardboard Baling?

Generally, you'll want to use either an 11, 12, or 13 gauge wire for baling cardboard. The 11 gauge wire is the thickest and, therefore, more suited to packing denser bales. It is important to consider your baler, however, as this will likely determine the type of wire that you'll need. This can differ between make and model, and there will likely be a users manual that will have the right info. If not, you could always call up the manufacturer and ask them directly. You wouldn't want to risk damaging your baler by using the wrong materials with it. For example, a smaller vertical baler that generates smaller bales may need a smaller gauge, like a 14. In contrast, a horizontal baler that operates at a larger scale may require an 11, even though you're baling the same material. Cardboard baling wire is usually very tough, no matter the gauge, so the main point to concern yourself with is whether or not your chosen type of wire is compatible with the machine you're using. It's worth noting that this can vary extensively, so make sure you find the right wire for your specific machine and the type of material you hope to bale.

What is baling wire used for?

Baling wire is used to secure waste and scrap materials into neatly manageable bundles, making them easier to transport. It's perfect for aiding waste management in the recycling industry, and cutting down on wastage in general, no matter the area of work that you're in. Baling wire can come in many different forms, for example, galvanized baling wire is exceptionally strong and durable, and it's able to withstand the harsh conditions of the recycling process with ease. Galvanized baling wire is strong enough to survive being submerged into a molten liquid for some time, making it suitable for the galvanization of other types of metal. Black annealed baling wire is developed using the annealing process, a cycle of carefully measured heating and cooling, which is what gives it the increased level of ductility and elongation. Baling wire can be threaded through a baling machine to secure the scrap or waste material, or it can be tied by hand, as it's incredibly ductile, making it an extremely versatile material and an essential one in the recycling and agriculture industries. Baling wire has long been regarded as a fix-all type of material, so it's always handy to have some around the workspace.

Why is it called baling wire?

It's called baling wire because it refers to the job it's used for, securing bales of scrap material like hay and cardboard. The word bale might have its roots in the old Germanic language, relating to ball. Bales are the bundles of material compressed in a baling machine, and the wire is what binds this material together, holding it in place for easier maneuverability. Baling wire has been used extensively since the 1800s (this is likely when the term began gaining widespread popularity), but it's come a long way since then in both form and function. From humble origins, baling wire has become a critical material in the recycling and agricultural industries, largely due to the phenomenal rise of modern machinery like advanced baling machines and tractors.The words baling wire are often interchanged (incorrectly) with bailing wire, yet searching for either term on Google will likely still send you to the right place. By galvanizing either stainless steel or iron wire, manufacturers can make baling wire tougher than ever before. This process involves submerging the wire in a molten metal coating (usually zinc) in order to make it more durable and corrosion resistant. Baling wire can also be developed using the annealing process, which is when the wire is exposed to a cycle of heating and cooling over time.

What kind of wire is baling wire?

Baling wire is ultra-strong, highly durable, galvanized steel or iron wire. The galvanization process refers to the act of hot dipping (submerging) stainless steel or iron wire in a bath of molten zinc.The resulting metallurgical reaction causes the zinc to bond with the steel, creating a protective coating, enabling it to withstand erosion with ease. This process enables the baling wire to become exceptionally resilient and able to resist even the harshest weather and wear and tear for extensive periods of time. You can also find baling wire in the form of black annealed wire, an incredibly sturdy and versatile material that's created using a meticulous cycle of heating and cooling, causing it to increase in ductility for maximum ease of use. You can find out more about the properties of this wire here. Due to its many unique properties, including its ability to stand up to harsh conditions, baling wire is essential in the recycling and agricultural industries, and it's generally found in any type of baling application, include office recycling. Its main purpose is to secure bales (compact bundles of waste and scrap material) and hold them in place, making them easier to store, handle and transport, greatly aiding the waste management process.

The American wire gauge chart

The American Wire Gauge (AWG) is a standardized wire gauge measurement system used predominantly in North America. It is a logarithmic stepped system, where wire diameter and gauge are inversely related. Gauge refers to the number of times a wire has been drawn and stretched through progressively smaller dies during manufacturing. A 10 gauge wire, for example, has been drawn through ten dies, decreasing its diameter each time.

AWG standardizes wire sizes so recyclers can easily identify and select the right gauge and corresponding properties (tensile strength, load strength, size, etc.) for different baling applications.

American wire gauge chart in inches and mm

Here is the American wire gauge chart for steel wire in relation to the gauges we carry.

AWG gauge	Diameter in inches	Diameter in millimeters
9	0.1144	2.906
10	0.1019	2.588
11	0.0907	2.304
12	0.0808	2.052
13	0.0720	1.828
14	0.0641	1.628

Every AWG gauge corresponds to a specific diameter, as shown in the chart. Larger gauges have smaller diameters, while smaller gauges have larger diameters.

The general rule of thumb is for every 6 gauge decrease, the wire diameter doubles.

Check out our baling wire gauge guide for more information regarding wire gauge and tensile strength.

What’s the difference between AWG and SWG?

British standard wire gauge (SWG) and AWG are both wire gauge systems used to measure the diameter of wire. SWG is an old British wire measurement system that was commonly used in the past.

Both systems serve a similar purpose, but AWG is more widely used today and is recognized as the standard in North America for categorizing wire of all types.

Because gauges are different diameters across AWG and SWG, don’t confuse the two.

Gauge	AWG Diameter (in)	AWG Diameter (mm)	SWG Diameter (in)	SWG Diameter (mm)
9	0.1144	2.905	0.1443	3.665
10	0.1019	2.588	0.1285	3.264
11	0.0907	2.305	0.1144	2.906
12	0.0808	2.052	0.1019	2.588
13	0.0720	1.828	0.0907	2.305
14	0.0641	1.628	0.0808	2.052

How to choose wire gauge size

Wire gauge is important because baling wire thickness determines how well a wire can handle the pressure and weight of the materials being baled, ultimately impacting the strength, safety, and cost-effectiveness of the baling process.

Wire size choice is influenced by factors such as the type of materials being baled (cardboard, plastic, metal), the type of baling equipment used, and the size and density of bales.

To choose the correct size wire for your baler, it is important to consult your baling machine manufacturer. Here is a list of common wire gauges used for baling recyclables across the most popular baler styles:

Vertical balers

Cardboard: 12–14 gauge
Newspaper: 12–13 gauge
Plastic shrink wrap: 13–14 gauge
Other plastics: 12–13 gauge
Foam: 11 gauge

Horizontal balers

Cardboard: 11–13 gauge
Newspaper: 12–13 gauge
Plastic shrink wrap: 11–12 gauge
Other plastics: 11–12 gauge
Foam: 11 gauge

Auto-tie balers

Cardboard: 10–12 gauge
Newspaper: 10–12 gauge
Plastic shrink wrap: 10–12 gauge
Other plastics: 10–12 gauge
Foam: 10–11 gauge

Baling wire products we offer

Baling Wire Direct sells the following high-quality baling wire products.

Baling Wire FAQ

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The American wire gauge chart

American wire gauge chart in inches and mm

What’s the difference between AWG and SWG?

How to choose wire gauge size

Vertical balers

Horizontal balers

Auto-tie balers

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