On the chart in Randy’s rod-sticking guide, a 1/8 in E7018 rod runs at 115–165 amps (rod makers start nearer 90 A), E6010 and E6011 at 75–125 A and E6013 at 80–130 A. The stick welding amperage chart below gives the range for these and other common electrodes at every diameter from 1/16 to 5/16 in, and compares two rods side by side.
Compare two rods
Pick two stick electrodes and a rod diameter to see how many amps each one needs. The numbers come from Randy’s chart in his guide to welding rod sticking.
80–130
115–165
Amperage by rod size
The whole chart: amps for each stick electrode at each rod diameter. A dash means the chart lists no value for that size.
| Rod diameter | E6010 / E6011 | E6012 | E6013 | E6020 | E6027 | E7014 | E7015 / E7016 | E7018 | E7024 / E7028 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/16 in | not listed | 20–40 | 20–40 | not listed | not listed | not listed | not listed | not listed | not listed |
| 5/64 in | not listed | 25–60 | 25–60 | not listed | not listed | not listed | not listed | not listed | not listed |
| 3/32 in | 40–80 | 35–85 | 45–90 | not listed | not listed | 80–125 | 65–110 | 70–100 | 100–145 |
| 1/8 in | 75–125 | 80–140 | 80–130 | 100–150 | 125–185 | 110–160 | 100–150 | 115–165 | 140–190 |
| 5/32 in | 110–170 | 110–190 | 105–180 | 130–190 | 160–240 | 150–210 | 140–200 | 150–220 | 180–250 |
| 3/16 in | 140–215 | 140–240 | 150–230 | 175–250 | 210–300 | 200–275 | 180–255 | 200–275 | 230–305 |
| 7/32 in | 170–250 | 200–320 | 210–300 | 225–310 | 250–350 | 260–340 | 240–320 | 260–340 | 275–365 |
| 1/4 in | 210–320 | 250–400 | 250–350 | 275–375 | 300–420 | 330–415 | 300–390 | 315–400 | 335–430 |
| 5/16 in | 275–425 | 300–500 | 320–430 | 340–450 | 375–475 | 390–500 | 375–475 | 375–475 | 400–525 |
Quick answers
How many amps for a 1/8 in 7018 rod?
On this chart a 1/8 in E7018 runs at 115–165 A. Stay near the low end for vertical, overhead or thin plate and nearer the top flat on thick plate, and check your box: some makers start at 90 A.
What amps for 3/32 in rods?
About 70–100 A for E7018, 45–90 A for E6013 and 40–80 A for E6010 on this chart. 3/32 in is the usual size for 1/8–3/16 in plate.
How many amps for 6013?
45–90 A at 3/32 in and 80–130 A at 1/8 in. E6013 has a soft arc and shallow penetration, made for sheet metal and light parts, so it suits the lower half of the range.
How many amps for 6010 or 6011?
75–125 A for a 1/8 in rod, a little less than E7018. Their deep, digging arc is mostly used for root passes and tacks: E6010 on DCEP, E6011 on AC or DCEP.
What stick welder settings do I use for 7018?
DC electrode positive (it also runs on AC), and 70–100 A for a 3/32 in rod or 115–165 A for 1/8 in on this chart. Start in the middle of the range and adjust by the sound and the bead.
How many amps for a 1/8 in 7024 rod?
140–190 A, the most of any 1/8 in rod here. E7024 is a heavy, fast-filling rod for flat and horizontal fillets on 1/4 in plate and up.
These are the chart’s full ranges. Welding vertical or overhead, or on thin metal, stay near the low end; flat on thick plate, near the top.
- The amperage chart in Randy’s guide to welding rod sticking, checked cell by cell: typical ranges by AWS rod class and diameter. AWS classifies the rods but doesn’t set the amps; each maker prints its own range on the box.
- Brands differ a little (ESAB’s Atom Arc 7018 lists its 1/8 in 7018 at 90–160 A), so check the box or data sheet for your rods too.
Numbers checked on by Randy Williams against the sources below. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.