I've just measured the LAN copper wire, mine is exactly 0.50mm diameter, which means AWG24.
It's the same thickness as the terminals of a glass body 1n4148.
Some resistors have even thinner legs, of only 0.35mm (AWG27).
LAN wires' AWG can vary:
Cat5e cables usually run between 24 and 26 AWG, while Cat6, and Cat6A usually run between 22 and 26 AWG.
Source: https://www.cablesandkits.com/learning-center/what-does-AWG-mean-for-Ethernet-patch-cables
Thanks for the reference. I have a spool of Cat5 (not e) and it is unsuitable for this task. I don't have many Cat6 cables lying around, unfortunately.
I retired last week and was going through stuff in the garage when I found a plastic box with 3M jumpers. Much nicer than the stuff I've bought recently. I looked up current pricing and it was around $70 bucks. I was figuring $25 or so since it was 3M. I wonder how long I've had the jumpers.
I also use (and like) the 3M jumpers. They sit flush with the breadboard and aren't as likely to get snagged and pulled off as random lengths of wire.
Generally speaking, telephone cable does not have tinned wires. Just one way to save money when you are buying wire by the box car full.
So, IMHO, it is not perfect.
And YES, I have used it for jumpers. Go figure.
I have used almost everything mentioned here, including the color coded kits, which I like.
I use the wire that comes in telephone cables. It’s perfect.