What width of copper tape should I buy?

Match the width to the job. Narrow 5 mm and 10 mm tape suits stained glass, fine craft and tight curves; 20 mm and 24 mm are versatile all-rounders for shielding and general use; and 50 mm is best for slug barriers and lining larger surfaces where you want maximum coverage and an unbroken band.

Is the only difference between widths the coverage?

Essentially yes. All five widths use the same genuine, conductive, solderable copper foil with the same self-adhesive backing. The width changes how much surface you cover and how easily the tape follows tight curves — not the metal itself.

Which width is best for a slug barrier?

Wider tape makes a more reliable slug barrier because the band is harder to bridge. For pots and raised beds, 24 mm or 50 mm is the safest choice; narrower tape works on small containers or doubled up as two bands.

Does a wider roll last longer?

Each width is sold by the roll at its own stated length. A wider tape covers more area per metre, so for a big job you may use fewer metres of a wide roll than of a narrow one. Check the length on each product page and estimate the metres your project needs.

Buying guide

Which copper tape width? A 5mm to 50mm sizing guide

Written by the Little Copper Garden team Last updated 4 June 2026

Choose your copper tape width by the job: narrow for fine work, wide for coverage. Our range runs 5 mm, 10 mm, 20 mm, 24 mm and 50 mm — all the same genuine conductive, solderable foil, so only the coverage and how tightly it curves changes. This guide from Little Copper Garden matches each width to its best use.

Which copper tape width should you choose?

As a rule of thumb: 5–10 mm for stained glass and fine craft, 20–24 mm as all-rounders for shielding and general use, and 50 mm for slug barriers and lining larger surfaces. The table below maps each width to the jobs it does best.

Copper tape width to best use — all five widths share the same conductive, solderable foil.
Width	Best use
5 mm	Stained glass on thin glass, fine craft and tight curves
10 mm	Stained glass, edging, paper circuits and detailed craft
20 mm	All-rounder — guitar/electronics shielding and general use
24 mm	All-rounder — shielding, repairs and slug bands on pots
50 mm	Slug & snail barriers and lining larger surfaces

In short: 5–10 mm for glass and fine craft, 20–24 mm as all-rounders, 50 mm for slug barriers and lining large surfaces.

The five widths and what to buy

Each width is sold by the roll with live GBP pricing and stock. Pick the one that matches your project, or keep a narrow and a wide roll on hand to cover most jobs.

In short: buy the width that fits the job — or a narrow plus a wide roll to cover almost everything.

Frequently asked questions

What width of copper tape should I buy?: Match the width to the job. Narrow 5 mm and 10 mm tape suits stained glass, fine craft and tight curves; 20 mm and 24 mm are versatile all-rounders for shielding and general use; and 50 mm is best for slug barriers and lining larger surfaces where you want maximum coverage and an unbroken band.
Is the only difference between widths the coverage?: Essentially yes. All five widths use the same genuine, conductive, solderable copper foil with the same self-adhesive backing. The width changes how much surface you cover and how easily the tape follows tight curves — not the metal itself.
Which width is best for a slug barrier?: Wider tape makes a more reliable slug barrier because the band is harder to bridge. For pots and raised beds, 24 mm or 50 mm is the safest choice; narrower tape works on small containers or doubled up as two bands.
Does a wider roll last longer?: Each width is sold by the roll at its own stated length. A wider tape covers more area per metre, so for a big job you may use fewer metres of a wide roll than of a narrow one. Check the length on each product page and estimate the metres your project needs.

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