excellent data table from Kanthal handbook Kanthal A ( 0Cr25Al5 or equivalent) from TB: Nichrome wire Ni80Cr20 ( Nikrothal 80) in metric. list of other common alloy spec from TB: from alloywire , there is a very handy spreadsheet 1. first of all, determine the type of heater wire to use ( Nichrome or 0Cr25Al5) 2. from datasheet, determine resistivity online resistivity convertor 3. from your design, determine resultant power to achieve and applied voltage the spreadsheet will recommend the surface load ( depending on your application)