Elixir · POLYWEB Nickel (coated) · 9-11-16-24-32-42

Elixir 12000 (9-11-16-24-32-42) in E standard on a 26.5" scale

POLYWEB Nickel (coated) Super Light (9-42) on an electric guitar with a 26.5" scale, tuned to E standard (E4 B3 G3 D3 A2 E2), pulls 92.8 lb42.1 kg413 N in total and 15.5 lb7.02 kg69 N per string on average. That is a loose feel for an electric guitar. The set is uneven (spread 12.1%). String 2 (B3) deviates most: −23% from the set average.

Total tension: 92.8 lb42.1 kg413 N
Average per string: 15.5 lb7.02 kg69 N
Feel: loose; medium ≈ 17.1 lb7.76 kg76 N per string; Set your own preferred feel
Balance: uneven; spread 12.1%

Tension per string

The bronze dashed line is the medium-feel target: the average per-string tension of a 10-46 set on a 25.5" scale in E standard (17.1 lb7.76 kg76 N). Loose and tight are measured against it.Line thickness follows the string gauge; textured lines are wound strings. Hover, tap or tab to a string for details.

#	Note	Hz	Gauge	Item	Type	Tension	vs avg
1	E4	329.6	.009	AR009	plain	14.3 lb6.48 kg64 N	−8%
2	B3	246.9	.011	AR011	plain	11.9 lb5.42 kg53 N	−23%
3	G3	196.0	.016	AR016	plain	15.8 lb7.16 kg70 N	+2%
4	D3	146.8	.024	ENP024	wound	17.3 lb7.84 kg77 N	+12%
5	A2	110.0	.032	ENP032	wound	17.3 lb7.84 kg77 N	+12%
6	E2	82.4	.042	ENP042	wound	16.2 lb7.35 kg72 N	+5%
Total						92.8 lb42.1 kg413 N

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Similar sets in E standard, 26.5"

Set	Gauges	Avg per string	Total	Feel	Balance
D'Addario EXL120BT	9-12-15-22-30-40	14.3 lb6.50 kg64 N	85.9 lb39.0 kg382 N	loose	very even
D'Addario NYXL0942	9-11-16-24-32-42	15.2 lb6.88 kg67 N	91.0 lb41.3 kg405 N	loose	moderately uneven
D'Addario EXL120	9-11-16-24-32-42	15.2 lb6.89 kg68 N	91.2 lb41.4 kg406 N	loose	moderately uneven
Elixir 12002	9-11-16-24-32-42	15.3 lb6.96 kg68 N	92.1 lb41.8 kg410 N	loose	moderately uneven
Elixir 19002	9-11-16-24-32-42	15.4 lb6.98 kg68 N	92.4 lb41.9 kg411 N	loose	moderately uneven
12000 (this page)	9-11-16-24-32-42	15.5 lb7.02 kg69 N	92.8 lb42.1 kg413 N	loose	uneven

Best match for a medium feel in E standard, 26.5"

Ranked by how close every string is to 17.1 lb7.76 kg76 N (lower deviation is better).

D'Addario EPS510 10-13-17-26-36-46 deviation 6.5%, average 17.8 lb8.07 kg79 N, even; same gauges: NYXL1046, XSE1046, EXL110
D'Addario EXL110BT 10-13.5-17-25-34-46 deviation 6.5%, average 18.1 lb8.23 kg81 N, very even
Elixir 12050 10-13-17-26-36-46 deviation 12.8%, average 18.5 lb8.40 kg82 N, moderately uneven; same gauges: 12052, 19052

More for the 12000

Other tunings on 26.5": Drop D, Open G

E standard on other scales: 25.5", 27", 28", 25.5"–27" multiscale

About these numbers

Tension is calculated, not measured: T = μ · (2 · L · f)², where μ is the string's mass per unit length (unit weight), L the vibrating length (scale) and f the pitch (A4 = 440 Hz, equal temperament). kg means kilogram-force: 1 kg ≈ 9.81 N ≈ 2.205 lb.

How a set feels also depends on the guitar's setup: action height, break angle over the nut and saddle, string length behind the nut and bridge, and your playing style. Plain strings feel stiffer than wound strings at the same tension. Use these figures to compare sets, not as an absolute measure of feel.

Sources

Elixir Strings — String Tension for Tuning Guitar (2026-11-01): unit weights derived from tensions printed in whole pounds; rounding leaves up to ±3% on single strings.
Elixir Strings Product Catalog (consumer, 07/2026) (2026-11-01): set part numbers and gauges.