In this article we’ll take a closer look at the various sizes of cable ties, their bundle diameter and tensile strength.
There is a wide range of sizes to choose from, and the large selection of options can seem daunting when deciding which size and strength is best for the task at hand.
We’ll take a closer look at the different sizes available sizes and unpack the jargon behind bundle diameter and tensile strength to provide all the information you’ll need to choose the right solution.
How are cable ties measured?
Cable ties are measured in millimetres. The length of the cable tie is measured from the head of the tie to the tail, and the width is measured from side to side on the body of the tie.
The best common size is 300mm which is 12” however the sizes available go from 80mm to 1,530mm.
What is meant by the cable tie bundle diameter?
Bundle diameter refers to the size of the bundle of cables or wires that can be secured, which is measured in millimetres.
It is important to choose a cable tie with a large enough bundle diameter.
Consider purchasing cable ties with additional space, as it’s better to have extra space that can be trimmed if needed, than too have too little space.
What is cable tie tensile strength?
Tensile strength is measured as the level of resistance or load a cable tie can endure without the material failing under tension. The units of measure are typically kilograms or pounds.
We use minimum tensile strength in our datasheets and technical materials. This refers to the minimum threshold strength that a cable tie is certified to before it breaks under load. In reality, quality cable ties will generally outperform this stated strength.
Minimum tensile strengths vary, primarily based on the width of the cable tie.
What sizes do cable ties come in and what are the strongest cable ties?
The smallest cable ties are as small as 80mm in length, and 2.5mm in width for standard nylon cable ties, making them idea for tasks that require a smaller surface area than the standard sized cable ties.
The strongest cable ties, in terms of minimum tensile strength, can withstand weight up to 166kg for 1000mm x 7.9mm stainless steel cable ties, making them ideal for heavy duty industrial applications.
We have included three charts below covering standard nylon, releasable and stainless steel cable ties, to provide an overview of the different sizes, bundle diameters and tensile strengths of the main types of cable ties.
Standard Nylon Cable Ties (Black, white and coloured cable ties have the same tensile strength and bundle diameter)
SKU | Size | Min. Tensile Strength (kg) | Max Bundle Diameter (mm) |
GCT8025 | 80mm x 2.5mm | 8 | 16 |
GCT10025 | 100mm x 2.5mm | 8 | 22 |
GCT12025 | 120mm x 2.5mm | 8 | 28 |
GCT12048 | 120mm x 4.8mm | 22 | 27 |
GCT15036 | 150mm x 3.6mm | 18 | 36 |
GCT15076 | 150mm x 7.6mm | 55 | 32 |
GCT16025 | 165mm x 2.5mm | 8 | 43 |
GCT16048 | 160mm x 4.8mm | 22 | 39 |
GCT18036 | 180mm x 3.6mm | 18 | 46 |
GCT20025 | 200mm x 2.5mm | 8 | 55 |
GCT20036 | 200mm x 3.6mm | 18 | 53 |
GCT20048 | 203mm x 4.8mm | 22 | 52 |
GCT20076 | 200mm x 7.6mm | 55 | 52 |
GCT24076 | 240mm x 7.6mm | 55 | 65 |
GCT25025 | 250mm x 2.5mm | 8 | 68 |
GCT25048 | 250mm x 4.8mm | 22 | 68 |
GCT28048 | 280mm x 4.8mm | 22 | 77 |
GCT280127 | 280mm x 12.7mm | 114 | 73 |
GCT30036 | 292mm x 3.6mm | 18 | 76 |
GCT30048 | 300mm x 4.8mm | 22 | 83 |
GCT30076 | 300mm x 7.6mm | 55 | 80 |
GCT37036 | 368mm x 3.6mm | 18 | 105 |
GCT37048 | 368mm x 4.8mm | 22 | 105 |
GCT37076 | 370mm x 7.6mm | 55 | 101 |
GCT380127 | 380mm x 12.7mm | 114 | 105 |
GCT39048 | 385mm x 4.8mm | 22 | 110 |
GCT40025 | 400mm x 2.5mm | 8 | 116 |
GCT43048 | 432mm x 4.8mm | 22 | 125 |
GCT45048 | 450mm x 4.8mm | 22 | 131 |
GCT45076 | 450mm x 7.6mm | 55 | 128 |
GCT45090 | 450mm x 9.0mm | 80 | 128 |
GCT480127 | 480mm x 12.7mm | 114 | 137 |
GCT50048 | 500mm x 4.8mm | 22 | 147 |
GCT55048 | 550mm x 4.8mm | 22 | 162 |
GCT55076 | 550mm x 7.6mm | 55 | 160 |
GCT55090 | 550mm x 9.0mm | 80 | 160 |
GCT580127 | 580mm x 12.7mm | 114 | 169 |
GCT61090 | 610mm x 9.0mm | 80 | 177 |
GCT63048 | 635mm x 4.8mm | 22 | 189 |
GCT71090 | 710mm x 9.0mm | 80 | 209 |
GCT730127 | 730mm x 12.7mm | 114 | 216 |
GCT75076 | 750mm x 7.6mm | 55 | 218 |
GCT78090 | 762mm x 9.0mm | 80 | 227 |
GCT81290 | 812mm x 9.0mm | 80 | 243 |
GCT880127 | 880mm x 12.7mm | 114 | 264 |
GCT91490 | 914mm x 9.0mm | 80 | 275 |
GCT1030127 | 1030mm x 12.7mm | 114 | 312 |
GCT116890 | 1168mm x 9.0mm | 80 | 356 |
GCT122090 | 1219mm x 9.0mm | 80 | 372 |
GCT150090 | 1500mm x 9.0mm | 80 | 462 |
GCT1530127 | 1530mm x 12.7mm | 114 | 470 |
Releasable Nylon Cable Ties (Black, white and coloured releasable cable ties have the same tensile strength and bundle diameter)
SKU | Size | Min. Tensile Strength (kg) | Max Bundle Diameter (mm) |
GCT10036RELB | 100mm x 3.6mm | 18 | 25 |
GCT20048RELB | 200mm x 4.8mm | 22 | 55 |
GCT25048RELB | 250mm x 4.8mm | 22 | 74 |
GCT30048RELB | 300mm x 4.8mm | 22 | 88 |
GCT37048RELB | 370mm x 4.8mm | 22 | 102 |
GCT78090RELB | 780mm x 9.0mm | 79 | 227 |
GCT15076RELB | 150mm x 7.6mm | 22 | 35 |
GCT20076RELB | 200mm x 7.6mm | 22 | 50 |
GCT25076RELB | 250mm x 7.6mm | 22 | 65 |
GCT30076RELB | 300mm x 7.6mm | 22 | 80 |
GCT37076RELB | 370mm x 7.6mm | 22 | 108 |
Stainless Steel Cable Ties (Coated cable ties have the same tensile strength and bundle diameter)
SKU | Size | Min. Tensile Strength (kg) | Max Bundle Diameter (mm) |
GCT15046SS | 150mm x 4.6mm | 89 | 46 |
GCT20046SS | 200mm x 4.6mm | 89 | 62 |
GCT26046SS | 260mm x 4.6mm | 89 | 75 |
GCT30046SS | 300mm x 4.6mm | 89 | 94 |
GCT36046SS | 360mm x 4.6mm | 89 | 113 |
GCT52046SS | 520mm x 4.6mm | 89 | 164 |
GCT62046SS | 620mm x 4.6mm | 89 | 190 |
GCT84046SS | 840mm x 4.6mm | 89 | 265 |
GCT100046SS | 1000mm x 4.6mm | 89 | 311 |
GCT15079SS | 150mm x 7.9mm | 160 | 46 |
GCT20079SS | 200mm x 7.9mm | 160 | 62 |
GCT30079SS | 300mm x 7.9mm | 160 | 94 |
GCT36079SS | 360mm x 7.9mm | 160 | 113 |
GCT52079SS | 520mm x 7.9mm | 160 | 164 |
GCT62079SS | 620mm x 7.9mm | 160 | 190 |
GCT84079SS | 840mm x 7.9mm | 160 | 265 |
GCT100079SS | 1000mm x 7.9mm | 160 | 311 |
For more information, check out our other guides on which type and material cable tie is best suited to which application and environment.
For any other questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly staff either by live chat, email or phone.