---
title: "Spring Gauge (Wire Gauge)"
description: "What spring or wire gauge means on a mattress spec, why thicker wire feels firmer, and how gauge relates to spring tension."
url: "https://bedguide.co.uk/glossary/spring-gauge/"
category: "glossary"
primary_entity: "spring gauge"
date_published: 2026-10-21
date_modified: 2026-10-21
---

# Spring Gauge (Wire Gauge)

> Spring gauge means the thickness of the wire in a mattress spring. Thicker wire usually holds more load and feels firmer. Coil size and shape also change how a spring contours. Mini springs in comfort layers can use thin wire and still raise the headline spring count. Read gauge, coil type and where the springs sit.

**Definition.** Spring gauge is the thickness of the steel wire used to make mattress springs. Thicker wire usually holds more load and feels firmer.

Also called: wire gauge, spring wire thickness, coil gauge.

Gauge is one of the main inputs to spring tension. Shops may describe it in
millimetres or with a gauge number, so ask which system they use.

Compare gauge only between springs of the same type. A thin-wire mini spring in
a top layer is not the support unit underneath.

Full guide: [wire gauge, coil types and
microcoils](/mattresses/wire-gauge-and-coil-types).

---

Source: https://bedguide.co.uk/glossary/spring-gauge/ · BedGuide — independent UK bed guide; paid links are labelled (see /how-we-make-money/). Facts checked against official sources where possible; see https://bedguide.co.uk/editorial-policy. Report an error: https://bedguide.co.uk/corrections.