The right welding filter shade protects your eyes from the arc’s intense UV and IR while keeping the weld pool visible. Pick your process and current to see the recommended shade number (OSHA 1910.252 / ANSI Z49.1). A good rule: start too dark, then step lighter until you can see the puddle clearly.
Recommended filter shades (OSHA / ANSI Z49.1)
| Process | Current | Shade |
|---|---|---|
| SMAW (stick) | <60 / 60–160 / 160–250 / 250–550 A | 7 / 8 / 10 / 11 |
| GMAW & FCAW (MIG) | <60 / 60–500 A | 7 / 10 |
| GTAW (TIG) | <150 / 150–500 A | 8 / 10 |
| Plasma cutting | <300 / 300–400 / 400–800 A | 8 / 9 / 10 |
| Air carbon arc | <500 / 500–1000 A | 10 / 14 |
| Oxyfuel & brazing | light → heavy | 3 → 6 |
Shop welding eye & face protection
FAQ
Auto-darkening or fixed shade?
Auto-darkening helmets switch from a light state to your set shade in milliseconds when the arc strikes, so you can position without flipping. Set the dark shade to the value above for your process and amperage.
Do I still need safety glasses under a helmet?
Yes. ANSI Z87.1 safety glasses protect against flying particles when the helmet is raised and from grinding/chipping slag.
Shade numbers summarize OSHA 29 CFR 1910.252(b) and ANSI/AWS Z49.1. These are minimum guidance; choose the darkest shade that still lets you see the weld zone clearly. Always protect skin from UV and provide adequate ventilation.
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