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

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

NANOWEB Phosphor Bronze (coated) Light (12-53) on an acoustic guitar with a 25" scale, tuned to Open D (D4 A3 F#3 D3 A2 D2), pulls 139.2 lb63.1 kg619 N in total and 23.2 lb10.52 kg103 N per string on average. That is a loose feel for an acoustic guitar. The set is moderately uneven (spread 11.4%). String 5 (A2) deviates most: +24% from the set average.

Total tension: 139.2 lb63.1 kg619 N
Average per string: 23.2 lb10.52 kg103 N
Feel: loose; medium ≈ 26.8 lb12.14 kg119 N per string; Set your own preferred feel
Balance: moderately uneven; spread 11.4%

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	D4	293.7	.012	AR012	plain	17.8 lb8.06 kg79 N	−23%
2	A3	220.0	.016	AR016	plain	17.7 lb8.02 kg79 N	−24%
3	F#3	185.0	.024	APN024	wound	25.7 lb11.66 kg114 N	+11%
4	D3	146.8	.032	APN032	wound	29.3 lb13.31 kg131 N	+26%
5	A2	110.0	.042	APN042	wound	28.9 lb13.09 kg128 N	+24%
6	D2	73.4	.053	APN053	wound	19.9 lb9.00 kg88 N	−14%
Total						139.2 lb63.1 kg619 N

Open in the calculator

Similar sets in Open D, 25"

Set	Gauges	Avg per string	Total	Feel	Balance
Elixir 11050	12-16-24-32-42-53	22.5 lb10.22 kg100 N	135.2 lb61.3 kg601 N	loose	moderately uneven
Elixir 11052	12-16-24-32-42-53	22.5 lb10.22 kg100 N	135.2 lb61.3 kg601 N	loose	moderately uneven
D'Addario XSAPB1253	12-16-24-32-42-53	22.8 lb10.36 kg102 N	137.0 lb62.2 kg610 N	loose	moderately uneven
D'Addario EJ16	12-16-24-32-42-53	22.8 lb10.36 kg102 N	137.0 lb62.2 kg610 N	loose	moderately uneven
16052 (this page)	12-16-24-32-42-53	23.2 lb10.52 kg103 N	139.2 lb63.1 kg619 N	loose	moderately uneven
Elixir 11182	13-17-25-32-42-53	23.8 lb10.81 kg106 N	143.0 lb64.9 kg636 N	loose	moderately uneven

Best match for a medium feel in Open D, 25"

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

Elixir 16182 13-17-25-32-42-53 deviation 11.3%, average 24.7 lb11.18 kg110 N, moderately uneven; same gauges: 11182
Elixir 11100 13-17-26-35-45-56 deviation 11.5%, average 26.1 lb11.84 kg116 N, moderately uneven; same gauges: 11102, 16102
D'Addario EJ17 13-17-26-35-45-56 deviation 11.8%, average 26.4 lb11.98 kg117 N, moderately uneven

More for the 16052

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

Open D 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.