PE Rating – Fishing Line Diameter Chart

 Below is a guide that lists the diameter (in millimetres) of each PE rating.

PE #                                      Diameter

                                       PE 0.6 ………………………….. 0.128mm
                                       PE 0.8 ………………………….. 0.148mm
                                       PE 1 …………………………….. 0.165mm
                                       PE 1.2 ………………………….. 0.185mm
                                       PE 1.5 ………………………….. 0.205mm
                                       PE 1.7 ………………………….. 0.218mm
                                       PE 2 …………………………….. 0.235mm
                                       PE 2.5 ………………………….. 0.260mm
                                       PE 3 …………………………….. 0.285mm
                                       PE 3.5 ………………………….. 0.310mm
                                       PE 4 …………………………….. 0.330mm
                                       PE 5 …………………………….. 0.370mm
                                       PE 6 …………………………….. 0.405mm
                                       PE 7 …………………………….. 0.435mm
                                       PE 8 …………………………….. 0.470mm
                                       PE 10 …………………………… 0.520mm
                                       PE 12 …………………………… 0.570mm
                                       PE 14 …………………………… 0.620mm
                                       PE 16 …………………………… 0.660mm
                                       PE 18 …………………………… 0.700mm
                                       PE 20 …………………………… 0.740mm
                                       PE 22 …………………………… 0.780mm
                                       PE 24 …………………………… 0.810mm
                                       PE 28 …………………………… 0.870mm

The PE standard of measurement is based on a numbering system known as “gouw”, the system that the Japanese originally used to measure the diameter of silk thread. This measurement system has since been applied to monofilament and braided fishing lines. The “PE” stands for Polyethylene, the fibre used to make Dyneema and Spectra braided lines.

The PE rating is a constant measurement, so while two lines advertised as being rated to 50lb may actually test at different breaking strains, two lines with the same PE rating will always be the same diameter. As a very general rule, you can multiply the PE# by 10 to get an approximate breaking strain of a braided line, i.e. PE4 x 10 = 40lb, as it will rarely test below (10xPE#). However, the breaking strain can vary a great deal between different lines of the same diameter. This is especially true in many of the high end braids that use more strands and a tighter weave, resulting in a rounder, smoother finish and higher breaking strain for the same diameter as lines of lesser quality. For instance, YGK Galis Ultra Jig Man X8 in PE5 is rated to 86lb, but Sunline Super PE PE5 is rated to 50lb. Higher end lines are often specialised for either casting or vertical jigging, and usually carry a higher price tag to match their superior finish and higher breaking strain/diameter ratio.