Barbed Wire Gauge Guide — 1.57MM, 1.8MM, and 2.0MM

Barbed wire has been a staple of Australian fencing for over a century, and it still has an important role in modern rural fencing. But barbed wire comes in different gauges, and choosing the right one matters for both effectiveness and longevity.

UNDERSTANDING GAUGE

In barbed wire, the "gauge" refers to the diameter of the main line wires (the two twisted wires that form the core of the barbed wire). The barbs themselves are a separate, lighter wire twisted around the line wires at regular intervals.

We stock three options, all on 500m rolls:

1.57mm HT — $85 per 500m roll

1.8mm MT — $125 per 500m roll

2.0mm MT — $135 per 500m roll

The thicker the wire, the stronger it is, the heavier the roll, and the more it costs. Simple as that.

1.57MM HIGH TENSILE — THE LIGHT OPTION

This is the lightest barbed wire we carry. Being high tensile, it's strong for its diameter — HT wire has a higher breaking strain than MT wire of the same size. But it's still physically thin wire that won't take heavy stock punishment.

Best for:

  • Deterrent lines on top of mesh fencing (where it doesn't need to be structural)
  • Internal fences for well-behaved stock
  • Properties where you need to cover a lot of ground on a budget
  • Sheep fencing (sheep don't test barbed wire like cattle do)

At $85 for 500m, it's the most economical option. That's 17 cents per metre — about as cheap as effective stock deterrence gets.

1.8MM MEDIUM TENSILE — THE ALL-ROUNDER

This is the middle ground and our most popular barbed wire. The 1.8mm MT wire gives good strength, reasonable handling characteristics (MT is easier to work with than HT), and enough heft to deter cattle.

Best for:

  • General-purpose boundary fencing
  • Top and bottom lines on cattle mesh fences
  • Mixed stock properties
  • Most standard fencing applications

At $125 for 500m (25 cents per metre), it's good value for a product that does most jobs well.

2.0MM MEDIUM TENSILE — THE HEAVY OPTION

This is the thickest barbed wire we stock. The 2.0mm line wires are noticeably heavier and more rigid than the 1.8mm. This wire is built for serious cattle country where stock pressure is real and fences need to be tough.

Best for:

  • Heavy cattle properties
  • Bull paddocks and yards
  • Boundary fences in areas with stock pressure from neighbours' animals
  • Any application where durability and strength are paramount

At $135 for 500m (27 cents per metre), it's only $10 more than the 1.8mm but noticeably stronger and more durable.

HOW MANY STRANDS DO YOU NEED?

The number of barbed wire strands depends on your fencing setup:

With mesh: Usually 1-2 strands of barbed wire above the mesh. The mesh does the containment work; the barbed wire adds height and discourages stock from reaching over or pushing against the top of the mesh.

Plain wire and barbed: Some fences use barbed wire as the main containment — typically 5-7 strands for cattle, spaced from near ground level up to about 120cm. This was the standard before mesh became common and is still used in some areas.

Cattle only (above mesh): One strand 50-100mm above the mesh is usually enough for cattle.

Sheep with cattle (above mesh): Two strands above the mesh, spaced 100mm apart, keeps cattle from reaching over while sheep ignore it anyway.

DO YOU ALWAYS NEED BARBED WIRE?

Not always. Some applications where you might skip it:

Horse fencing: Barbed wire and horses are a bad combination. Horses can get seriously tangled and injured. Use plain wire or nothing above horse mesh.

Dog-proof fencing: Barbed wire doesn't add much to predator exclusion. The mesh does the work.

Garden and lifestyle fencing: For small blocks and lifestyle properties, barbed wire may be unnecessary and can be a hazard for children, pets, and wildlife.

HANDLING AND SAFETY

Barbed wire demands respect. Always:

  • Wear heavy leather gloves
  • Wear long sleeves and eye protection
  • Unroll from the roll using a wire spinner or dispenser — never try to uncoil barbed wire by hand
  • Keep tension on the wire as you unroll — slack barbed wire whips and tangles
  • Cut with proper wire cutters, not pliers

Barbed wire injuries are one of the most common fencing injuries in rural Australia. Take your time and don't rush the job.

All three gauges are in stock at Outback Fencing Supplies, 76 Astill Drive, Orange. Give us a call on 0434 093 077 if you need advice on quantities for your fencing job.

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