A Guide to Welding Shade Numbers
| OPERATION | ELECTRODE SIZE X/32 in. (mm) | ARC CURRENT (AMP) | MINIMUM SHADE # | SUGGESTED SHADE # (Comfort)1 |
| Shielded metal arc welding | ||||
| Less than 3 (2.5) | Less than 60 | 7 | - | |
| 3-5 (2.5–4) | 60-160 | 8 | 10 | |
| 5-8 (4–6.4) | 160-250 | 10 | 12 | |
| More than 8 (6.4) | 250-550 | 11 | 14 | |
| Gas metal arc welding and flux cored arc welding | ||||
| . | Less than 60 | 7 | - | |
| . | 60-160 | 10 | 11 | |
| . | 160-250 | 10 | 12 | |
| . | 250-500 | 10 | 14 | |
| Gas tungsten arc welding | ||||
| . | Less than 50 | 8 | 10 | |
| . | 50-150 | 8 | 12 | |
| . | 150-500 | 10 | 14 | |
| Air carbon arc cutting | ||||
| (Light) | Less than 500 | 10 | 12 | |
| (Heavy) | 500-1000 | 11 | 14 | |
| Plasma arc welding | ||||
| . | Less than 20 | 6 | 6-8 | |
| . | 20-100 | 8 | 10 | |
| . | 100-400 | 10 | 12 | |
| . | 400-800 | 11 | 14 | |
| Plasma arc cutting | ||||
| (Light)2 | Less than 300 | 8 | 9 | |
| (Medium)2 | 300-400 | 9 | 12 | |
| (Heavy)2 | 400-800 | 10 | 14 | |
| Torch brazing | . | - | - | 3 or 4 |
| Torch soldering | . | - | - | 2 |
| Carbon arc welding | . | - | - | 14 |
1 As a rule of thumb, start with a shade that is too dark, then go to a lighter shade which gives sufficient view of the weld zone without going below the minimum. In oxyfuel gas welding or cutting where the torch produces a high yellow light, it is desirable to use a filter lens that absorbs the yellow or sodium line the visible light of the (spectrum) operation
2 These values apply where the actual arc is clearly seen. Experience has shown that lighter filters may be used when the arc is hidden by the workpiece.
Data from ANSI Z49.1-2005