Elixir · POLYWEB Nickel (coated) · 9-11-16-26-36-46

Elixir 12025 (9-11-16-26-36-46) in Open G on a 26.5" scale

POLYWEB Nickel (coated) Custom Light (9-46) on an electric guitar with a 26.5" scale, tuned to Open G (D4 B3 G3 D3 G2 D2), pulls 90.2 lb40.9 kg401 N in total and 15.0 lb6.82 kg67 N per string on average. That is a loose feel for an electric guitar. The set is uneven (spread 18.8%). String 4 (D3) deviates most: +29% from the set average.

Total tension: 90.2 lb40.9 kg401 N
Average per string: 15.0 lb6.82 kg67 N
Feel: loose; medium ≈ 17.1 lb7.76 kg76 N per string; Set your own preferred feel
Balance: uneven; spread 18.8%

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	D4	293.7	.009	AR009	plain	11.3 lb5.14 kg50 N	−25%
2	B3	246.9	.011	AR011	plain	11.9 lb5.42 kg53 N	−21%
3	G3	196.0	.016	AR016	plain	15.8 lb7.16 kg70 N	+5%
4	D3	146.8	.026	ENP026	wound	19.5 lb8.82 kg87 N	+29%
5	G2	98.0	.036	ENP036	wound	17.2 lb7.78 kg76 N	+14%
6	D2	73.4	.046	ENP046	wound	14.6 lb6.62 kg65 N	−3%
Total						90.2 lb40.9 kg401 N

Open in the calculator

Similar sets in Open G, 26.5"

Set	Gauges	Avg per string	Total	Feel	Balance
D'Addario NYXL0946	9-11-16-26-36-46	14.9 lb6.77 kg66 N	89.5 lb40.6 kg398 N	loose	uneven
D'Addario EXL125	9-11-16-26-36-46	15.0 lb6.78 kg67 N	89.7 lb40.7 kg399 N	loose	uneven
12025 (this page)	9-11-16-26-36-46	15.0 lb6.82 kg67 N	90.2 lb40.9 kg401 N	loose	uneven
Elixir 12027	9-11-16-26-36-46	15.1 lb6.87 kg67 N	90.9 lb41.2 kg404 N	loose	uneven
Elixir 19027	9-11-16-26-36-46	15.1 lb6.87 kg67 N	90.9 lb41.2 kg404 N	loose	uneven
D'Addario EPS510	10-13-17-26-36-46	15.9 lb7.23 kg71 N	95.7 lb43.4 kg426 N	medium	moderately uneven

Best match for a medium feel in Open G, 26.5"

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

Elixir 12050 10-13-17-26-36-46 deviation 11.7%, average 16.5 lb7.51 kg74 N, moderately uneven; same gauges: 12052, 19052
D'Addario EXL110BT 10-13.5-17-25-34-46 deviation 12.2%, average 16.3 lb7.38 kg72 N, moderately uneven
D'Addario NYXL1046 10-13-17-26-36-46 deviation 12.2%, average 16.5 lb7.48 kg73 N, uneven; same gauges: XSE1046, EXL110, EPS510

More for the 12025

Other tunings on 26.5": E standard, Drop D

Open G on other scales: 27", 28"

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.