Elixir · NANOWEB Nickel (coated) · 12-16-24-32-42-52

Elixir 12152 (12-16-24-32-42-52) in Open G on a 25.5" scale

NANOWEB Nickel (coated) Heavy (12-52) on an electric guitar with a 25.5" scale, tuned to Open G (D4 B3 G3 D3 G2 D2), pulls 136.5 lb61.9 kg607 N in total and 22.8 lb10.32 kg101 N per string on average. That is a tight feel for an electric guitar. The set is uneven (spread 18.6%). String 3 (G3) deviates most: +24% from the set average.

Total tension: 136.5 lb61.9 kg607 N
Average per string: 22.8 lb10.32 kg101 N
Feel: tight; medium ≈ 17.1 lb7.76 kg76 N per string; Set your own preferred feel
Balance: uneven; spread 18.6%

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	.012	AR012	plain	18.5 lb8.39 kg82 N	−19%
2	B3	246.9	.016	AR016	plain	23.2 lb10.52 kg103 N	+2%
3	G3	196.0	.024	ENN024	wound	28.2 lb12.78 kg125 N	+24%
4	D3	146.8	.032	ENN032	wound	28.2 lb12.78 kg125 N	+24%
5	G2	98.0	.042	ENN042	wound	20.9 lb9.46 kg93 N	−8%
6	D2	73.4	.052	ENN052	wound	17.6 lb7.99 kg78 N	−23%
Total						136.5 lb61.9 kg607 N

Open in the calculator

Similar sets in Open G, 25.5"

Set	Gauges	Avg per string	Total	Feel	Balance
D'Addario EXL116	11-14-18-30-42-52	19.0 lb8.61 kg84 N	113.8 lb51.6 kg506 N	tight	uneven
D'Addario NYXL1156	11-14-19-32-44-56	20.6 lb9.33 kg92 N	123.5 lb56.0 kg549 N	tight	uneven
D'Addario EXL117	11-14-19-32-44-56	20.6 lb9.36 kg92 N	123.8 lb56.2 kg551 N	tight	uneven
D'Addario NYXL1254	12-16-20-32-42-54	21.9 lb9.93 kg97 N	131.3 lb59.6 kg584 N	tight	uneven
D'Addario EXL145	12-16-20-32-42-54	21.9 lb9.95 kg98 N	131.6 lb59.7 kg585 N	tight	uneven
12152 (this page)	12-16-24-32-42-52	22.8 lb10.32 kg101 N	136.5 lb61.9 kg607 N	tight	uneven

Best match for a medium feel in Open G, 25.5"

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

Elixir 12100 11-14-18-28-38-49 deviation 11.2%, average 17.7 lb8.05 kg79 N, moderately uneven; same gauges: 12102, 19102
D'Addario NYXL1149 11-14-18-28-38-49 deviation 12.0%, average 17.4 lb7.91 kg78 N, moderately uneven; same gauges: EXL115
D'Addario EPN115 11-14-18-27-37-48 deviation 13.3%, average 18.2 lb8.24 kg81 N, moderately uneven

More for the 12152

Other tunings on 25.5": E standard, Drop D, Eb standard, D standard, Drop C, C standard, B standard, Open D, DADGAD

Open G on other scales: 24.75", 25"

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 ±1% on single strings.
Elixir Strings Product Catalog (consumer, 07/2026) (2026-11-01): set part numbers and gauges.