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

Elixir 12000 (9-11-16-24-32-42) in Drop D on a 28" scale

POLYWEB Nickel (coated) Super Light (9-42) on an electric guitar with a 28" scale, tuned to Drop D (E4 B3 G3 D3 A2 D2), pulls 99.9 lb45.3 kg444 N in total and 16.6 lb7.55 kg74 N per string on average. That is a medium feel for an electric guitar. The set is uneven (spread 13.8%). String 2 (B3) deviates most: −20% from the set average.

Total tension: 99.9 lb45.3 kg444 N
Average per string: 16.6 lb7.55 kg74 N
Feel: medium; medium ≈ 17.1 lb7.76 kg76 N per string; Set your own preferred feel
Balance: uneven; spread 13.8%

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	15.9 lb7.23 kg71 N	−4%
2	B3	246.9	.011	AR011	plain	13.3 lb6.05 kg59 N	−20%
3	G3	196.0	.016	AR016	plain	17.6 lb7.99 kg78 N	+6%
4	D3	146.8	.024	ENP024	wound	19.3 lb8.76 kg86 N	+16%
5	A2	110.0	.032	ENP032	wound	19.3 lb8.76 kg86 N	+16%
6	D2	73.4	.042	ENP042	wound	14.4 lb6.52 kg64 N	−14%
Total						99.9 lb45.3 kg444 N

Open in the calculator

Similar sets in Drop D, 28"

Set	Gauges	Avg per string	Total	Feel	Balance
D'Addario EXL120BT	9-12-15-22-30-40	15.4 lb7.00 kg69 N	92.7 lb42.0 kg412 N	loose	moderately uneven
D'Addario NYXL0942	9-11-16-24-32-42	16.3 lb7.41 kg73 N	98.1 lb44.5 kg436 N	medium	uneven
D'Addario EXL120	9-11-16-24-32-42	16.4 lb7.42 kg73 N	98.2 lb44.5 kg437 N	medium	uneven
Elixir 12002	9-11-16-24-32-42	16.5 lb7.50 kg74 N	99.1 lb45.0 kg441 N	medium	uneven
Elixir 19002	9-11-16-24-32-42	16.6 lb7.52 kg74 N	99.4 lb45.1 kg442 N	medium	uneven
12000 (this page)	9-11-16-24-32-42	16.6 lb7.55 kg74 N	99.9 lb45.3 kg444 N	medium	uneven

Best match for a medium feel in Drop D, 28"

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

D'Addario EXL120BT 9-12-15-22-30-40 deviation 12.3%, average 15.4 lb7.00 kg69 N, moderately uneven
Elixir 12002 9-11-16-24-32-42 deviation 13.6%, average 16.5 lb7.50 kg74 N, uneven; same gauges: 12000, 19002
D'Addario EXL120 9-11-16-24-32-42 deviation 13.9%, average 16.4 lb7.42 kg73 N, uneven; same gauges: NYXL0942

More for the 12000

Other tunings on 28": E standard, Eb standard, Open G

Drop D on other scales: 25.5", 26.5", 27", 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.