Hang this poster where you weld, cut or braze, so the right lens is chosen before the arc is struck. It puts the US minimum filter shades on one page, with a bold reminder never to go lighter than the minimum.
What is on the poster
Arc welding, cutting and brazing
| Operation | Electrode size (1/32 in.) | Arc current (amperes) | Minimum shade* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shielded metal arc welding | Less than 3 | Less than 60 | 7 |
| 3 to 5 | 60 to 160 | 8 | |
| 5 to 8 | 160 to 250 | 10 | |
| More than 8 | 250 to 550 | 11 | |
| Gas metal arc and flux cored arc | – | Less than 60 | 7 |
| – | 60 to 160 | 10 | |
| – | 160 to 250 | 10 | |
| – | 250 to 500 | 10 | |
| Gas tungsten arc welding | – | Less than 50 | 8 |
| – | 50 to 150 | 8 | |
| – | 150 to 500 | 10 | |
| Air carbon arc cutting, light | – | Less than 500 | 10 |
| Air carbon arc cutting, heavy | – | 500 to 1,000 | 11 |
| Plasma arc welding | – | Less than 20 | 6 |
| – | 20 to 100 | 8 | |
| – | 100 to 400 | 10 | |
| – | 400 to 800 | 11 | |
| Plasma arc cutting, light** | – | Less than 300 | 8 |
| Plasma arc cutting, medium** | – | 300 to 400 | 9 |
| Plasma arc cutting, heavy** | – | 400 to 800 | 10 |
| Torch brazing | – | – | 3 |
| Torch soldering | – | – | 2 |
| Carbon arc welding | – | – | 14 |
Gas welding and oxygen cutting
| Operation | Plate thickness (inches) | Plate thickness (mm) | Minimum shade* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas welding, light | Under 1/8 | Under 3.2 | 4 |
| Gas welding, medium | 1/8 to 1/2 | 3.2 to 12.7 | 5 |
| Gas welding, heavy | Over 1/2 | Over 12.7 | 6 |
| Oxygen cutting, light | Under 1 | Under 25 | 3 |
| Oxygen cutting, medium | 1 to 6 | 25 to 150 | 4 |
| Oxygen cutting, heavy | Over 6 | Over 150 | 5 |
* Start with a shade too dark to see the weld zone, then go lighter until you can see it. For strongly yellow oxyfuel light, use a lens that absorbs the yellow line.
** Values apply where the arc is clearly seen; lighter filters may be used when the workpiece hides it.
Never use a filter lighter than the minimum shade.
Built to the Science Safety Teaching Standard
This poster carries the SSTS mark. Like every Science Safety course, it is built to the Science Safety Teaching Standard (SSTS): every rule on it is taken from the body that governs it, at its current edition, and the source is printed on the poster, so you can check it yourself.
Stay current
When you get this poster, it is saved to your Science Safety account. If we revise the poster, or the Welding Safety module it comes from changes, we will email you, and the latest version will be waiting under Downloads in your account. Every revision carries its revision number and date at the bottom of the poster, so you can tell at a glance whether the copy on your wall is current.
Printing and hanging
- One-page PDF, US letter (8.5 by 11 inches).
- White background, so it prints clearly on any office or classroom printer without using much ink.
- Hang it where you weld, cut or braze, at eye level beside the welding station.
- The QR code in the blue title band opens this page, so anyone can get their own copy.
- The QR code at the bottom opens the Welding Safety module.
Learn more
The Welding Safety module teaches the full topic this poster comes from.
Sources:
- 29 CFR 1910.133, Eye and face protection – Occupational Safety and Health Administration (reviewed September 28, 2026)
Poster SSP-0001, Rev. 2, September 2026.
