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SMAW / stick welding reference

Welding Rod Chart

Compare common carbon-steel stick electrodes by rod size, position, polarity, and manufacturer operating amperage, then check which listed options match your basic setup.

Process
SMAW / stick
Scope
Carbon-steel electrodes
Basis
AWS A5.1/A5.1M:2025

Interactive selector

Welding Rod Selection Chart

Use classification, rod size, position, and available current to narrow the verified reference rows.

This selector compares the common SMAW electrode rows published on this page. It is a preliminary reference—not a substitute for the applicable WPS, code, project specification, or electrode manufacturer instructions.

Selection limit: Do not treat a chart match as approval for a weld. Base metal, joint design, required mechanical properties, hydrogen control, preheat/interpass temperature, code qualification, and the governing WPS can change the correct electrode and procedure.

Reference table

Stick Welding Rod Sizes, Polarity, and Amperage

The amperage ranges are tied to the identified Lincoln product and diameter; they are not universal AWS amperage requirements.

Use the selector above for setup compatibility. Use search below to find an electrode, application, or characteristic inside the currently selected classification/diameter scope.

Scroll horizontally to view additional columns and vertically to view additional rows. Column headers remain visible while scrolling.

Common carbon-steel SMAW electrode classifications and selected current Lincoln product operating ranges. Classification characteristics are summarized from AWS/Hobart sources; operating amperage is product-specific.
Welding position Current / polarity Recommended amperage range Penetration / arc character Typical use Copy
E6010 3/32 in (2.4 mm) 60 ksi Flat, horizontal, vertical, overhead DCEP DCEP 50–85 A Deep penetration; digging, fast-freeze arc Open roots; pipe; construction; repair
E6010 1/8 in (3.2 mm) 60 ksi Flat, horizontal, vertical, overhead DCEP DCEP 75–135 A Deep penetration; digging, fast-freeze arc Open roots; pipe; construction; repair
E6010 5/32 in (4.0 mm) 60 ksi Flat, horizontal, vertical, overhead DCEP DCEP 100–175 A Deep penetration; digging, fast-freeze arc Open roots; pipe; construction; repair
E6011 3/32 in (2.4 mm) 60 ksi Flat, horizontal, vertical, overhead AC / DCEP / DCEN AC 40–90 A; DCEP/DCEN 40–80 A Deep penetration; digging arc Maintenance; repair; field work
E6011 1/8 in (3.2 mm) 60 ksi Flat, horizontal, vertical, overhead AC / DCEP / DCEN AC 65–120 A; DCEP/DCEN 60–110 A Deep penetration; digging arc Maintenance; repair; field work
E6011 5/32 in (4.0 mm) 60 ksi Flat, horizontal, vertical, overhead AC / DCEP / DCEN AC 115–150 A; DCEP/DCEN 105–135 A Deep penetration; digging arc Maintenance; repair; field work
E6013 3/32 in (2.4 mm) 60 ksi Flat, horizontal, vertical, overhead AC / DCEP / DCEN AC 75–115 A; DCEP/DCEN 70–105 A Soft, stable arc; lighter penetration Thin sheet; light fabrication; repair
E6013 1/8 in (3.2 mm) 60 ksi Flat, horizontal, vertical, overhead AC / DCEP / DCEN AC 110–140 A; DCEP/DCEN 100–135 A Soft, stable arc; lighter penetration Thin sheet; light fabrication; repair
E6013 5/32 in (4.0 mm) 60 ksi Flat, horizontal, vertical, overhead AC / DCEP / DCEN AC 160–200 A; DCEP/DCEN 145–180 A Soft, stable arc; lighter penetration Thin sheet; light fabrication; repair
E7014 3/32 in (2.4 mm) 70 ksi Flat, horizontal, vertical, overhead AC / DCEP / DCEN AC 80–100 A; DCEP/DCEN 75–95 A Smooth, stable arc; higher deposition Frames; heavy sheet; fillets; machine bases
E7014 1/8 in (3.2 mm) 70 ksi Flat, horizontal, vertical, overhead AC / DCEP / DCEN AC 110–155 A; DCEP/DCEN 100–145 A Smooth, stable arc; higher deposition Frames; heavy sheet; fillets; machine bases
E7014 5/32 in (4.0 mm) 70 ksi Flat, horizontal, vertical, overhead AC / DCEP / DCEN AC 150–225 A; DCEP/DCEN 135–200 A Smooth, stable arc; higher deposition Frames; heavy sheet; fillets; machine bases
E7018 3/32 in (2.4 mm) 70 ksi Flat, horizontal, vertical, overhead AC / DCEP DCEP 70–110 A; AC 80–120 A Medium penetration; stable low-hydrogen arc Structural / higher-strength fabrication per WPS
E7018 1/8 in (3.2 mm) 70 ksi Flat, horizontal, vertical, overhead AC / DCEP DCEP 90–160 A; AC 100–160 A Medium penetration; stable low-hydrogen arc Structural / higher-strength fabrication per WPS
E7018 5/32 in (4.0 mm) 70 ksi Flat, horizontal, vertical, overhead AC / DCEP DCEP 130–210 A; AC 140–210 A Medium penetration; stable low-hydrogen arc Structural / higher-strength fabrication per WPS
E7024-1 1/8 in (3.2 mm) 70 ksi Flat, horizontal AC / DCEP / DCEN AC 115–175 A; DCEP/DCEN 100–160 A Smooth spray-like arc; high deposition Long flat/horizontal heavy-fabrication welds
E7024-1 5/32 in (4.0 mm) 70 ksi Flat, horizontal AC / DCEP / DCEN AC 180–240 A; DCEP/DCEN 160–215 A Smooth spray-like arc; high deposition Long flat/horizontal heavy-fabrication welds
E7024-1 3/16 in (4.8 mm) 70 ksi Flat, horizontal AC / DCEP / DCEN AC 240–300 A; DCEP/DCEN 220–280 A Smooth spray-like arc; high deposition Long flat/horizontal heavy-fabrication welds

AWS classifications describe electrode requirements; the amperage values shown are current manufacturer operating recommendations for the named Lincoln product/diameter and should be treated as starting ranges. No interpolation is used for unlisted diameters.

How to Read a Welding Rod Chart

Start with the electrode classification, then verify welding position and current type before using a diameter-specific amperage range. A rod that fits the amperage available on your machine can still be wrong for the joint, position, base material, or governing procedure.

Classification
Identifies the AWS electrode family and its required classification characteristics.
Rod diameter
Changes the practical current range. Larger diameters generally need more current, but there is no single universal amperage formula.
Position
“All position” here means flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead capability for the classification guidance used on this page.
Polarity
AC, DCEP (DC+), and DCEN (DC−) are not interchangeable for every electrode.

What Welding Rod Numbers Mean

For a common designation such as E7018, the E identifies an electrode, the first two digits identify a 70 ksi minimum tensile-strength class, the third digit communicates welding-position capability, and the final digit relates to coating/current characteristics. Supplemental designators such as -1, H4, and R carry additional requirements and should not be guessed from the base four digits.

Why diameter changes amperage

Current must be high enough to maintain a stable arc and melt the selected electrode correctly, but the usable band is product- and polarity-dependent. For example, Lincoln Fleetweld 180 E6011 at 1/8 in (3.2 mm) is listed at 65–120 A on AC and 60–110 A on DC±, while Excalibur 7018-1 MR at the same diameter is listed at 100–160 A on AC and 90–160 A on DCEP.

Use this rule Classification + diameter + polarity → manufacturer current range

Do not back-calculate an unlisted range from rod diameter alone.

Worked Welding Rod Selection Examples

Example 1: AC machine and an all-position requirement

Assumptions: carbon-steel SMAW, AC power source, and the weld may require vertical or overhead work.

E6010 is removed because the classification guidance used here calls for DCEP. E7024-1 is removed because it is limited to flat and horizontal positions. E6011, E6013, E7014, and E7018 remain possible chart matches.

Interpretation: the chart narrows the candidates, but the WPS/base-metal/application requirements still govern the actual choice.

Example 2: 1/8 in E7018 on DCEP

Assumptions: the procedure already calls for E7018-type low-hydrogen electrode and the selected product basis is Lincoln Excalibur 7018-1 MR.

Select E7018, 1/8 in (3.2 mm), and DCEP. The published product range on this page is 90–160 A.

Sanity check: treat the range as a starting window. Arc length, joint geometry, position, travel speed, machine characteristics, and the qualified procedure can narrow the actual setting.

E6010 vs E6011 vs E6013 vs E7018

E6010

  • DCEP in the classification guidance used here.
  • Deep, digging penetration and fast-freeze behavior.
  • Common for open roots, pipe, construction, repair, and less-than-perfect surfaces.

E6011

  • Similar digging behavior to E6010 but can run on AC.
  • Useful for field, maintenance, and repair work.
  • All-position capability in the guidance used here.

E6013 / E7014

  • Smoother, easier-handling arcs than E6010/E6011.
  • E6013 is common on thinner material and light fabrication.
  • E7014 adds iron powder for higher deposition but is not a substitute for low-hydrogen requirements.

E7018

  • Low-hydrogen classification family used in many more critical applications.
  • AC or DCEP in the guidance used here.
  • Requires controlled storage/reconditioning practices specified by the manufacturer and governing code/procedure.

Where E7024-1 fits

E7024-1 is a high-deposition option for flat and horizontal welding. It can be efficient on long heavy-fabrication welds, but its position limitation makes it a poor substitute when vertical or overhead welding is required.

Low-hydrogen storage matters: E7018-type electrodes must be handled according to the electrode manufacturer and governing fabrication requirements. Do not apply one universal oven temperature or reconditioning schedule to every product.

When This Welding Rod Chart Is Not Enough

A chart is useful for lookup and screening, but final welding variables can be safety- and quality-critical. Use the applicable welding procedure specification and governing code or project specification whenever they control the work.

Check before welding: base-metal specification, joint design, required tensile/impact properties, preheat and interpass limits, hydrogen control, permitted position, polarity, equipment duty cycle, electrode condition, and welder/procedure qualification.

This page is intentionally limited to common carbon-steel SMAW classifications. MIG wire, TIG filler rods, stainless electrodes, cast-iron electrodes, hardfacing products, and aluminum fillers use different specifications and selection logic.

Source, Scope, and Data Method

Dataset: limited transformed reference for common carbon-steel SMAW classifications; AWS proprietary tables and figures are not reproduced.

The classification scope is anchored to AWS A5.1/A5.1M:2025. Practical position/current/application descriptions are summarized in original wording from Hobart Brothers guidance. Diameter-specific amperage rows are taken from current Lincoln Electric product data for the named products.

Dataset and Source-Check Details

Publisher
Turn2Engineering
Source checked
August 16, 2026
Classification basis
AWS A5.1/A5.1M:2025
Operating data
Manufacturer-specific, not AWS universal settings
Interpolation
Not permitted; unlisted diameter/polarity combinations remain unavailable
Rights / download
No full standards-table reproduction or CSV export

Welding Rod Chart FAQs

There is no single universal choice: E6010, E6011, E6013, E7014, and E7018 are all common carbon-steel SMAW classifications, and the correct one depends on position, current type, penetration, mechanical-property requirements, base-metal condition, and the governing procedure.

Use the Chart as a Starting Reference

For a quick stick-welding lookup, narrow by classification, diameter, position, and polarity, then use the manufacturer-specific amperage band as a starting window. For code work or critical fabrication, take the next step through the applicable WPS and project requirements before welding.

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