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

Elixir 12152 (12-16-24-32-42-52) in B standard on a 25" scale

NANOWEB Nickel (coated) Heavy (12-52) on an electric guitar with a 25" scale, tuned to B standard (B3 F#3 D3 A2 E2 B1), pulls 81.6 lb37.0 kg363 N in total and 13.6 lb6.17 kg61 N per string on average. That is a loose feel for an electric guitar. The set is moderately uneven (spread 9.7%). String 6 (B1) deviates most: −12% from the set average.

Total tension: 81.6 lb37.0 kg363 N
Average per string: 13.6 lb6.17 kg61 N
Feel: loose; medium ≈ 17.1 lb7.76 kg76 N per string; Set your own preferred feel
Balance: moderately uneven; spread 9.7%

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	B3	246.9	.012	AR012	plain	12.6 lb5.70 kg56 N	−8%
2	F#3	185.0	.016	AR016	plain	12.5 lb5.67 kg56 N	−8%
3	D3	146.8	.024	ENN024	wound	15.2 lb6.90 kg68 N	+12%
4	A2	110.0	.032	ENN032	wound	15.2 lb6.90 kg68 N	+12%
5	E2	82.4	.042	ENN042	wound	14.2 lb6.43 kg63 N	+4%
6	B1	61.7	.052	ENN052	wound	12.0 lb5.43 kg53 N	−12%
Total						81.6 lb37.0 kg363 N

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Similar sets in B standard, 25"

Set	Gauges	Avg per string	Total	Feel	Balance
D'Addario NYXL1254	12-16-20-32-42-54	13.1 lb5.96 kg58 N	78.9 lb35.8 kg351 N	loose	even
D'Addario EXL145	12-16-20-32-42-54	13.2 lb5.98 kg59 N	79.1 lb35.9 kg352 N	loose	even
12152 (this page)	12-16-24-32-42-52	13.6 lb6.17 kg61 N	81.6 lb37.0 kg363 N	loose	moderately uneven
D'Addario NYXL1260	12-16-20-34-46-60	14.3 lb6.50 kg64 N	86.0 lb39.0 kg383 N	loose	uneven
D'Addario EXL148	12-16-20-34-46-60	14.4 lb6.52 kg64 N	86.3 lb39.1 kg384 N	loose	uneven
D'Addario EXL158	13-17-26-36-46-62	16.3 lb7.42 kg73 N	98.1 lb44.5 kg436 N	medium	moderately uneven

Best match for a medium feel in B standard, 25"

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

D'Addario EXL158 13-17-26-36-46-62 deviation 9.5%, average 16.3 lb7.42 kg73 N, moderately uneven
D'Addario EXL148 12-16-20-34-46-60 deviation 19.2%, average 14.4 lb6.52 kg64 N, uneven; same gauges: NYXL1260
Elixir 12152 12-16-24-32-42-52 deviation 21.8%, average 13.6 lb6.17 kg61 N, moderately uneven

More for the 12152

Other tunings on 25": E standard, Drop D, Eb standard, D standard, Drop C, C standard, Open G, Open D, DADGAD

B standard on other scales: 24.75", 25.5", 26.5", 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 ±1% on single strings.
Elixir Strings Product Catalog (consumer, 07/2026) (2026-11-01): set part numbers and gauges.