Elixir · NANOWEB Phosphor Bronze (coated) · 12-16-24-32-42-53

Elixir 16052 (12-16-24-32-42-53) in E standard on a 25" scale

NANOWEB Phosphor Bronze (coated) Light (12-53) on an acoustic guitar with a 25" scale, tuned to E standard (E4 B3 G3 D3 A2 E2), pulls 156.7 lb71.1 kg697 N in total and 26.1 lb11.85 kg116 N per string on average. That is a medium feel for an acoustic guitar. The set is very even (spread 2.1%). String 6 (E2) deviates most: −4% from the set average.

Total tension: 156.7 lb71.1 kg697 N
Average per string: 26.1 lb11.85 kg116 N
Feel: medium; medium ≈ 26.8 lb12.14 kg119 N per string; Set your own preferred feel
Balance: very even; spread 2.1%

Tension per string

The bronze dashed line is the medium-feel target: the average per-string tension of a 12-53 set on a 25.5" scale in E standard (26.8 lb12.14 kg119 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	.012	AR012	plain	22.4 lb10.15 kg100 N	−14%
2	B3	246.9	.016	AR016	plain	22.3 lb10.11 kg99 N	−15%
3	G3	196.0	.024	APN024	wound	28.9 lb13.09 kg128 N	+10%
4	D3	146.8	.032	APN032	wound	29.3 lb13.31 kg131 N	+12%
5	A2	110.0	.042	APN042	wound	28.9 lb13.09 kg128 N	+10%
6	E2	82.4	.053	APN053	wound	25.0 lb11.34 kg111 N	−4%
Total						156.7 lb71.1 kg697 N

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Similar sets in E standard, 25"

Set	Gauges	Avg per string	Total	Feel	Balance
Elixir 11050	12-16-24-32-42-53	25.4 lb11.52 kg113 N	152.4 lb69.1 kg678 N	loose	very even
Elixir 11052	12-16-24-32-42-53	25.4 lb11.52 kg113 N	152.4 lb69.1 kg678 N	loose	very even
D'Addario XSAPB1253	12-16-24-32-42-53	25.7 lb11.67 kg114 N	154.4 lb70.0 kg687 N	loose	very even
D'Addario EJ16	12-16-24-32-42-53	25.7 lb11.67 kg114 N	154.4 lb70.0 kg687 N	loose	very even
16052 (this page)	12-16-24-32-42-53	26.1 lb11.85 kg116 N	156.7 lb71.1 kg697 N	medium	very even
Elixir 11182	13-17-25-32-42-53	27.0 lb12.24 kg120 N	161.9 lb73.5 kg720 N	medium	even

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

Ranked by how close every string is to 26.8 lb12.14 kg119 N (lower deviation is better).

Elixir 16052 12-16-24-32-42-53 deviation 3.2%, average 26.1 lb11.85 kg116 N, very even; same gauges: 11050, 11052
D'Addario EJ16 12-16-24-32-42-53 deviation 3.9%, average 25.7 lb11.67 kg114 N, very even; same gauges: XSAPB1253, XSABR1253
Elixir 11182 13-17-25-32-42-53 deviation 6.7%, average 27.0 lb12.24 kg120 N, even; same gauges: 16182

More for the 16052

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

E standard on other scales: 24.75", 25.5"

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 ±2% on single strings.
Elixir Strings Product Catalog (consumer, 07/2026) (2026-11-01): set part numbers and gauges.