Welding Amperage Chart

Starting settings for MIG, flux-cored, TIG and stick welding by material thickness: amps, volts, wire size, wire feed speed, electrode or tungsten size and gas flow, in mm and inches.

MIG / GMAW amperage chart for carbon / mild steel

THICKNESS	AMPS	VOLTS	WIRE	WIRE FEED	GAS FLOW
1 mm / 0.040″ (19 ga)	34-46 A	16 V	0.6 mm / 0.024″	2.2 m/min / 87 ipm	12-18 L/min (25-38 CFH)
1.5 mm / 1/16″	51-69 A	17 V	0.6 mm / 0.024″	3.3 m/min / 131 ipm	12-18 L/min (25-38 CFH)
2 mm / 5/64″	68-92 A	18 V	0.6 mm / 0.024″	4.4 m/min / 175 ipm	12-18 L/min (25-38 CFH)
3 mm / 1/8″	102-138 A	20 V	0.8 mm / 0.031″	5.0 m/min / 197 ipm	12-18 L/min (25-38 CFH)
4 mm / 5/32″	136-184 A	22 V	0.8 mm / 0.031″	6.7 m/min / 262 ipm	12-18 L/min (25-38 CFH)
5 mm / 3/16″	170-230 A	24 V	0.9 mm / 0.035″	6.7 m/min / 262 ipm	12-18 L/min (25-38 CFH)
6 mm / 1/4″	204-276 A	26 V	1 mm / 0.039″	7.1 m/min / 278 ipm	12-18 L/min (25-38 CFH)
8 mm / 5/16″	272-368 A	30 V	1.2 mm / 0.047″	7.6 m/min / 300 ipm	12-18 L/min (25-38 CFH)
10 mm / 3/8″	340-460 A	34 V	1.6 mm / 0.063″	5.7 m/min / 225 ipm	12-18 L/min (25-38 CFH)
12 mm / 1/2″	408-552 A	38 V	1.6 mm / 0.063″	6.9 m/min / 270 ipm	12-18 L/min (25-38 CFH)

Gas: 75% Ar / 25% CO₂ (C25) or 100% CO₂

MIG / GMAW amperage chart for stainless steel

THICKNESS	AMPS	VOLTS	WIRE	WIRE FEED	GAS FLOW
1 mm / 0.040″ (19 ga)	32-44 A	15.9 V	0.6 mm / 0.024″	2.2 m/min / 87 ipm	12-18 L/min (25-38 CFH)
1.5 mm / 1/16″	48-66 A	16.9 V	0.6 mm / 0.024″	3.3 m/min / 131 ipm	12-18 L/min (25-38 CFH)
2 mm / 5/64″	65-87 A	17.8 V	0.6 mm / 0.024″	4.4 m/min / 175 ipm	12-18 L/min (25-38 CFH)
3 mm / 1/8″	97-131 A	19.7 V	0.8 mm / 0.031″	5.0 m/min / 197 ipm	12-18 L/min (25-38 CFH)
4 mm / 5/32″	129-175 A	21.6 V	0.8 mm / 0.031″	6.7 m/min / 262 ipm	12-18 L/min (25-38 CFH)
5 mm / 3/16″	162-218 A	23.5 V	0.9 mm / 0.035″	6.7 m/min / 262 ipm	12-18 L/min (25-38 CFH)
6 mm / 1/4″	194-262 A	25.4 V	1 mm / 0.039″	7.1 m/min / 278 ipm	12-18 L/min (25-38 CFH)
8 mm / 5/16″	258-350 A	29.2 V	1.2 mm / 0.047″	7.6 m/min / 300 ipm	12-18 L/min (25-38 CFH)
10 mm / 3/8″	323-437 A	33 V	1.6 mm / 0.063″	5.7 m/min / 225 ipm	12-18 L/min (25-38 CFH)
12 mm / 1/2″	388-524 A	36.8 V	1.6 mm / 0.063″	6.9 m/min / 270 ipm	12-18 L/min (25-38 CFH)

Gas: 98% Ar / 2% CO₂ (or tri-mix)

MIG / GMAW amperage chart for aluminum

THICKNESS	AMPS	VOLTS	WIRE	WIRE FEED	GAS FLOW
1 mm / 0.040″ (19 ga)	38-52 A	16.3 V	0.6 mm / 0.024″	5.6 m/min / 219 ipm	15-25 L/min (32-53 CFH)
1.5 mm / 1/16″	57-78 A	17.4 V	0.6 mm / 0.024″	8.3 m/min / 328 ipm	15-25 L/min (32-53 CFH)
2 mm / 5/64″	77-103 A	18.5 V	0.6 mm / 0.024″	11.1 m/min / 437 ipm	15-25 L/min (32-53 CFH)
3 mm / 1/8″	115-155 A	20.8 V	0.8 mm / 0.031″	12.5 m/min / 492 ipm	15-25 L/min (32-53 CFH)
4 mm / 5/32″	153-207 A	23 V	0.9 mm / 0.035″	13.3 m/min / 525 ipm	15-25 L/min (32-53 CFH)
5 mm / 3/16″	191-259 A	25.3 V	1 mm / 0.039″	14.7 m/min / 579 ipm	15-25 L/min (32-53 CFH)
6 mm / 1/4″	230-311 A	27.5 V	1.2 mm / 0.047″	14.3 m/min / 562 ipm	15-25 L/min (32-53 CFH)
8 mm / 5/16″	306-414 A	32 V	1.6 mm / 0.063″	11.4 m/min / 450 ipm	15-25 L/min (32-53 CFH)
10 mm / 3/8″	383-518 A	36.5 V	1.6 mm / 0.063″	14.3 m/min / 562 ipm	15-25 L/min (32-53 CFH)
12 mm / 1/2″	459-621 A	41 V	1.6 mm / 0.063″	17.1 m/min / 675 ipm	15-25 L/min (32-53 CFH)

Gas: 100% Argon

Flux-cored / FCAW amperage chart for carbon / mild steel

THICKNESS	AMPS	VOLTS	WIRE	WIRE FEED	GAS FLOW
1 mm / 0.040″ (19 ga)	34-46 A	18 V	0.9 mm / 0.035″	1.7 m/min / 66 ipm	14-20 L/min (30-42 CFH)
1.5 mm / 1/16″	51-69 A	19 V	0.9 mm / 0.035″	2.5 m/min / 98 ipm	14-20 L/min (30-42 CFH)
2 mm / 5/64″	68-92 A	20 V	0.9 mm / 0.035″	3.3 m/min / 131 ipm	14-20 L/min (30-42 CFH)
3 mm / 1/8″	102-138 A	22 V	0.9 mm / 0.035″	5.0 m/min / 197 ipm	14-20 L/min (30-42 CFH)
4 mm / 5/32″	136-184 A	24 V	0.9 mm / 0.035″	6.7 m/min / 262 ipm	14-20 L/min (30-42 CFH)
5 mm / 3/16″	170-230 A	26 V	0.9 mm / 0.035″	8.3 m/min / 328 ipm	14-20 L/min (30-42 CFH)
6 mm / 1/4″	204-276 A	28 V	1 mm / 0.039″	8.8 m/min / 347 ipm	14-20 L/min (30-42 CFH)
8 mm / 5/16″	272-368 A	32 V	1.2 mm / 0.047″	9.5 m/min / 375 ipm	14-20 L/min (30-42 CFH)
10 mm / 3/8″	340-460 A	36 V	1.6 mm / 0.063″	7.1 m/min / 281 ipm	14-20 L/min (30-42 CFH)
12 mm / 1/2″	408-552 A	40 V	1.6 mm / 0.063″	8.6 m/min / 337 ipm	14-20 L/min (30-42 CFH)

Gas: 100% CO₂ or 75/25 Ar/CO₂ (gas-shielded) / none (self-shielded)

TIG / GTAW amperage chart for carbon / mild steel

THICKNESS	AMPS	VOLTS	TUNGSTEN	FILLER ROD	GAS FLOW
1 mm / 0.040″ (19 ga)	30-40 A	11.4 V	1 mm	1.6 mm	7-12 L/min (15-25 CFH)
1.5 mm / 1/16″	45-60 A	12.1 V	1 mm	1.6 mm	7-12 L/min (15-25 CFH)
2 mm / 5/64″	60-81 A	12.8 V	1 mm	1.6 mm	7-12 L/min (15-25 CFH)
3 mm / 1/8″	89-121 A	14.2 V	1.6 mm	2.4 mm	7-12 L/min (15-25 CFH)
4 mm / 5/32″	119-161 A	15.6 V	1.6 mm	2.4 mm	7-12 L/min (15-25 CFH)
5 mm / 3/16″	149-201 A	17 V	2.4 mm	3.2 mm	7-12 L/min (15-25 CFH)
6 mm / 1/4″	179-241 A	18.4 V	2.4 mm	3.2 mm	7-12 L/min (15-25 CFH)
8 mm / 5/16″	238-322 A	21.2 V	3.2 mm	3.2 mm	7-12 L/min (15-25 CFH)
10 mm / 3/8″	298-402 A	24 V	3.2 mm	3.2 mm	7-12 L/min (15-25 CFH)
12 mm / 1/2″	357-483 A	26.8 V	3.2 mm	3.2 mm	7-12 L/min (15-25 CFH)

Gas: 100% Argon

TIG / GTAW amperage chart for aluminum

THICKNESS	AMPS	VOLTS	TUNGSTEN	FILLER ROD	GAS FLOW
1 mm / 0.040″ (19 ga)	38-52 A	11.8 V	1 mm	1.6 mm	7-12 L/min (15-25 CFH)
1.5 mm / 1/16″	57-78 A	12.7 V	1 mm	1.6 mm	7-12 L/min (15-25 CFH)
2 mm / 5/64″	77-103 A	13.6 V	1.6 mm	1.6 mm	7-12 L/min (15-25 CFH)
3 mm / 1/8″	115-155 A	15.4 V	1.6 mm	2.4 mm	7-12 L/min (15-25 CFH)
4 mm / 5/32″	153-207 A	17.2 V	2.4 mm	2.4 mm	7-12 L/min (15-25 CFH)
5 mm / 3/16″	191-259 A	19 V	2.4 mm	3.2 mm	7-12 L/min (15-25 CFH)
6 mm / 1/4″	230-311 A	20.8 V	3.2 mm	3.2 mm	7-12 L/min (15-25 CFH)
8 mm / 5/16″	306-414 A	24.4 V	3.2 mm	3.2 mm	7-12 L/min (15-25 CFH)
10 mm / 3/8″	383-518 A	28 V	3.2 mm	3.2 mm	7-12 L/min (15-25 CFH)
12 mm / 1/2″	459-621 A	31.6 V	3.2 mm	3.2 mm	7-12 L/min (15-25 CFH)

Gas: 100% Argon

Stick / SMAW amperage chart for carbon / mild steel

THICKNESS	AMPS	VOLTS	ELECTRODE
1 mm / 0.040″ (19 ga)	43-57 A	22 V	2 mm / 0.079″
1.5 mm / 1/16″	43-57 A	22 V	2 mm / 0.079″
2 mm / 5/64″	64-86 A	23 V	2.5 mm / 0.098″
3 mm / 1/8″	64-86 A	23 V	2.5 mm / 0.098″
4 mm / 5/32″	94-126 A	24.4 V	3.2 mm / 0.126″
5 mm / 3/16″	94-126 A	24.4 V	3.2 mm / 0.126″
6 mm / 1/4″	94-126 A	24.4 V	3.2 mm / 0.126″
8 mm / 5/16″	128-173 A	26 V	4 mm / 0.157″
10 mm / 3/8″	128-173 A	26 V	4 mm / 0.157″
12 mm / 1/2″	170-230 A	28 V	5 mm / 0.197″

Gas: None (flux-shielded)

How to use these welding charts

Find your process and material, read across from the thickness, and set the amperage range. Begin in the middle of the range, then adjust to your machine. For a custom thickness or imperial units, use the welding calculator.

MIG / GMAW amperage chart for carbon / mild steel
MIG / GMAW amperage chart for stainless steel
MIG / GMAW amperage chart for aluminum
Flux-cored / FCAW amperage chart for carbon / mild steel
TIG / GTAW amperage chart for carbon / mild steel
TIG / GTAW amperage chart for aluminum
Stick / SMAW amperage chart for carbon / mild steel

Settings depend on more than thickness

Vertical and overhead welding need 10-20% less current to control the pool. Joint type, root gap, preheat, and wire or rod brand all shift the ideal setting. Thick material over 6 mm is welded in multiple passes, and the table shows the per-pass setting.

Frequently asked questions

What amperage should I use to weld 1/8 inch steel?

About 110-140 A for MIG with 0.8 mm (0.030″) or 0.9 mm (0.035″) wire at roughly 20 V, around 100-140 A for TIG, and 90-140 A for a 3.2 mm (1/8″) stick electrode.

How do I convert amps to wire feed speed?

On a constant-voltage MIG machine the wire feed speed sets the current. A 0.9 mm steel wire delivers about 30 amps per metre per minute, so 5 m/min gives roughly 150 A. The charts show the corresponding wire feed speed for each thickness.

What is the 1 amp per 0.001 inch rule?

It is a rule of thumb: use about 1 amp for every 0.001 inch of material thickness, which equals roughly 40 A per millimetre. It works well for MIG and TIG on steel.

Why does aluminum need more amperage?

Aluminum conducts heat about five times faster than steel, so it needs higher current or faster travel to reach the same weld pool temperature.

Are these settings exact?

No. They are starting points for a flat-position, single-pass weld. Adjust for position, joint type, machine, wire brand and shielding gas, and follow your WPS for code work.

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Welding Electrode Selector - Compare stick electrodes by position, power source and application, with amp ranges.