--- title: What do the thermocouple wire color codes mean? description: Thermocouple wire color codes table for ASTM and IEC standards image: https://blog.tewire.com/hs-fs/hub/290101/file-788790612.jpg ---  [888-483-9473](tel:888-483-9473) [![](https://blog.tewire.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Templates/Custom/Blog2024GGC/files/logo.svg)](https://www.tewire.com) [![](https://blog.tewire.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Templates/Custom/Blog2024GGC/files/logo-small.png)](https://www.tewire.com) [![](https://blog.tewire.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Templates/Custom/Blog2024GGC/files/trac-logo.svg) Accuclave Tracking](https://www.traclookup.tewire.com/trac.php) [Blog](https://blog.tewire.com/blog) | [Contact Us](https://tewire.com/contact-us/) | [888-483-9473](tel:18884839473) - [Products](https://tewire.com/products/) - [Applications](https://tewire.com/industries-applications.php) - [Aerospace Composites](https://tewire.com/aerospace-composites/) - [Industrial OEM](https://tewire.com/industrial-oem/) - [Metallurgy](https://tewire.com/metallurgy/) - [Medical](https://tewire.com/applications/medical/) - [Engine Testing](https://tewire.com/applications/engine-testing/) - [Power Generation](https://tewire.com/applications/power-generation/) - [Technical Info](https://tewire.com/technical-info/) - [Industrial Application Guide](https://tewire.com/industrial-application-guide/) - [Calibration Services](https://tewire.com/calibration-services/) - [Reference Standards](https://tewire.com/reference-standards/) - [International Color Codes](https://tewire.com/international-color-codes/) - [Wire Chemical Properties](https://tewire.com/wire-chemical-properties/) - [Properties Insulating Materials](https://tewire.com/properties-insulating-materials/) - [Calculator Page](https://tewire.com/technical-info/calculator-page/) - [About](https://tewire.com/about-us/) - [TE Wire Company History](https://tewire.com/te-wire-company-history/) - [Customer Commitment](https://tewire.com/customer-commitment/) - [Careers](https://marmon.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Marmon_Careers/details/Machine-Operator_JR0000000881?hiringCompany=0eca42ee49b00180368582638f108621) - [Accuclave Tracking](https://www.traclookup.tewire.com/trac.php) - [Blog](https://blog.tewire.com/blog) - [Resource Library](https://tewire.com/resource-library/) - [Contact Us](https://tewire.com/contact-us/) - [Request a quote](https://tewire.com/request-a-quote/) - [Products](https://tewire.com/products/) - [Applications](https://tewire.com/industries-applications.php) - [Aerospace Composites](https://tewire.com/aerospace-composites/) - [Industrial OEM](https://tewire.com/industrial-oem/) - [Metallurgy](https://tewire.com/metallurgy/) - [Medical](https://tewire.com/applications/medical/) - [Engine Testing](https://tewire.com/applications/engine-testing/) - [Power Generation](https://tewire.com/applications/power-generation/) - [Technical Info](https://tewire.com/technical-info/) - [Industrial Application Guide](https://tewire.com/industrial-application-guide/) - [Calibration Services](https://tewire.com/calibration-services/) - [Reference Standards](https://tewire.com/reference-standards/) - [International Color Codes](https://tewire.com/international-color-codes/) - [Wire Chemical Properties](https://tewire.com/wire-chemical-properties/) - [Properties Insulating Materials](https://tewire.com/properties-insulating-materials/) - [Calculator Page](https://tewire.com/technical-info/calculator-page/) - [About](https://tewire.com/about-us/) - [TE Wire Company History](https://tewire.com/te-wire-company-history/) - [Customer Commitment](https://tewire.com/customer-commitment/) - [Careers](https://marmon.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Marmon_Careers/details/Machine-Operator_JR0000000881?hiringCompany=0eca42ee49b00180368582638f108621) - [Accuclave Tracking](https://www.traclookup.tewire.com/trac.php) - [Blog](https://blog.tewire.com/blog) - [Resource Library](https://tewire.com/resource-library/) - [Contact Us](https://tewire.com/contact-us/) - [Request a quote](https://tewire.com/request-a-quote/) ## TE Wire & Cable Thermocouple Solutions Blog ### Stay Up to Date on the Latest from TE Wire & Cable Subscribe ### Subscribe to our blog # What do the thermocouple wire color codes mean? Topics: [Thermocouple Selection](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/topic/thermocouple-selection) , [thermocouple color codes](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/topic/thermocouple-color-codes) Posted by [Vlad Fedorchak](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/author/vlad-fedorchak) February 11, 2014 SHARE [mailto:?subject=New%20%20Blog%20Post&body=https://blog.tewire.com/blog/what-do-the-thermocouple-wire-color-codes-mean](mailto:?subject=New%20%20Blog%20Post&body=https://blog.tewire.com/blog/what-do-the-thermocouple-wire-color-codes-mean) [![](https://blog.tewire.com/hs-fs/hub/290101/file-788790612.jpg)](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/what-do-the-thermocouple-wire-color-codes-mean)   Most countries developed their own thermocouple wire color codes years ago. Today, there are two governing bodies that are globally recognized for setting the accepted color codes standards:  ASTM International (formerly known as American Society for Testing and Materials or [ASTM](http://www.astm.org/)) and International Electrotechnical Commission ([IEC](http://www.iec.ch/index.htm)). ASTM E230-03 is the standard adopted by the United States. The standard recognized in Europe is IEC 584-3.   The table provided below defines the thermocouple calibration types in the left column (i.e., Type J, K, E, T, N, S) and the alloy combination for the positive (+) and negative (-) leads. The standard insulation colors for the different thermocouple leads are illustrated in the remaining columns below the country.   ![WireColorCodes](https://blog.tewire.com/hs-fs/hub/290101/file-788790612.jpg)     Important: The color chart represents the standards for thermocouple extension accuracy wire.  For standard limit and special limit accuracy thermocouple wire, ASTM calls out a different jacket color – brown.   For additional information on the different thermocouple calibration types and temperature ratings, [read this blog](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/the-abcs-of-thermocouple-wire-calibration-types-what-do-they-mean).     [![Thermocouple Wire Color Codes Reference Guide](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/290101/7aa8d7aa-931e-4cd7-a26a-1852d12d68e1.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/290101/7aa8d7aa-931e-4cd7-a26a-1852d12d68e1) ### EXPLORE BY TOPIC - [Aerospace Composites (41)](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/topic/aerospace-composites) - [Autoclave Thermocouples (34)](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/topic/autoclave-thermocouples) - [aerospace (17)](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/topic/aerospace) - [high-temperature wire (16)](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/topic/high-temperature-wire) - [low-drift cable (15)](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/topic/low-drift-cable) More Topics - [Aerospace Composites (41)](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/topic/aerospace-composites) - [Autoclave Thermocouples (34)](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/topic/autoclave-thermocouples) - [aerospace (17)](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/topic/aerospace) - [high-temperature wire (16)](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/topic/high-temperature-wire) - [low-drift cable (15)](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/topic/low-drift-cable) - [thermocouple (15)](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/topic/thermocouple) - [Thermocouple Selection (14)](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/topic/thermocouple-selection) - [NADCAP (13)](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/topic/nadcap) - [Thermocouple Traceability (12)](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/topic/thermocouple-traceability) - [composites curing (12)](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/topic/composites-curing) - [products (10)](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/topic/products) - [metallurgy (9)](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/topic/metallurgy) - [Quality (7)](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/topic/quality) - [Thermocouple 101 (7)](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/topic/thermocouple-101) - [Tradeshows (7)](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/topic/tradeshows) - [type K (7)](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/topic/type-k) - [wire design (7)](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/topic/wire-design) - [industrial (6)](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/topic/industrial) - [type n (6)](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/topic/type-n) - [AMS2750E (5)](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/topic/ams2750e) ### Latest Blog Posts --- ## Latest Blog Posts [![](https://blog.tewire.com/hubfs/tew-peeksense.jpg)](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/aerospace-thermocouples-rated-for-higher-temperatures) ## [Aerospace Thermocouples Rated for Higher Temperatures](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/aerospace-thermocouples-rated-for-higher-temperatures) Aerospace-Sector Thermocouples Rated for Higher Temperatures Thermocouples are versatile temperature sensing devices used in a wide variety of applications, from household appliances, to industrial furnaces to ...   [READ MORE](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/aerospace-thermocouples-rated-for-higher-temperatures) [![](https://blog.tewire.com/hubfs/tew-blog-autoclave-800x450.jpg)](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/the-role-of-aerospace-thermocouples) ## [The Role of Aerospace Thermocouples](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/the-role-of-aerospace-thermocouples) What is the Role of Thermocouples in Aerospace Engineering? In the aerospace industry, precision and reliability are critical to final product safety and performance. Within aircraft manufacturing, autoclaves play a ...   [READ MORE](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/the-role-of-aerospace-thermocouples) [![tew-blog-jkwires-800x450.jpg](https://blog.tewire.com/hubfs/tew-blog-jkwires-800x450.jpg)](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/understanding-the-differences-in-type-j-and-type-k-thermocouples) ## [Understanding the Differences in Type J and Type K Thermocouples](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/understanding-the-differences-in-type-j-and-type-k-thermocouples) J or K? Understanding the Differences in Thermocouple Wire Types Numerous industrial applications rely on thermocouple (TC) wires for accurate temperature readings during manufacturing processes. Unique applications ...   [READ MORE](https://blog.tewire.com/blog/understanding-the-differences-in-type-j-and-type-k-thermocouples) ##### [See All Posts](https://blog.rmbproducts.com/educational-blog) [![](https://blog.tewire.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Templates/Custom/Blog2024GGC/files/technical-info-icon.svg) Technical Info View Our Guides](https://www.tewire.com/technical-info) [![](https://blog.tewire.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Templates/Custom/Blog2024GGC/files/resources-icon.svg) Resources View Our Library](https://www.tewire.com/resources) ![](https://blog.tewire.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Templates/Custom/Blog2024GGC/files/logo-footer.png) 107 North 5th Street, Saddle Brook, NJ 07663-6167 (888)-483-9473 | (201)-845-9400 © 2022 - 2026 TE Wire and Cable, All Rights Reserved.[Privacy Policy](https://tewire.com/te-wire-privacy-policy/)[Sitemap](https://tewire.com/sitemap/)[Terms & Conditions](https://tewire.com/terms-and-conditions/)