Gauge Size Guide

Needle gauges can be confusing. And as an important parameter for bioprinting, you want to select the correct tip for your syringes. The gauge size of a needle indicates what the diameter of the lumen (opening) is. The higher the gauge, the smaller the diameter. For example, a 30 gauge needle has a narrower lumen than a 25 gauge needle. Different companies use different measurements for gauges, so it is important to specify inner diameter. Read on for the Allevi Gauge Size Guide.

A higher gauge (smaller inner diameter) leads to a higher resolution. However, trying to extrude material through a smaller opening will increase the required pressure for printing. This will then exert more stress on the material and any cells in it. High shear stress and pressure can decrease cell viability. Print speed may also be affected by your gauge size choice because flow rate is directly related to the area (in this case the area of the lumen) your material is flowing through.

Below, we have tables with information for the tips available at the Allevi shop.

Plastic (Straight 0.25″, 0.5″, or 1.0″)

Gauge Size	Inner Diameter (mm)	Color
23	0.330	Orange
24	0.300	Blue-Green
25	0.250	Red
26	0.240	Peach
27	0.200	Clear
28	0.190	Grey
30*	0.152	Lavender
32	0.100	Yellow
34	0.080	Teal

Metal (Tapered 0.25″)

Gauge Size	Inner Diameter (mm)	Color
19	0.864	Tan
25	0.437	White
27	0.335	Red
30	0.223	Black

Plastic (Tapered 1.25″)

Gauge Size	Inner Diameter (mm)	Color
25	0.280	Red
27	0.203	Clear

If you have any further questions, please reach out to [email protected]!