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Stick welding amperage chart for 6010, 6011, 6013, 7014, 7018 and 7024 rods

A 1/8" 7018 rod: 90 – 160 A on AC or DCEP. A 3/32" 6013: 40 – 90 A. Those two rods cover most jobs, which is why the numbers are worth knowing by heart. WeldMaster's Stick calculator and Electrode Chart (both Pro) give the amperage window, polarity and positions for six common rods, and suggest the diameter that suits your plate.

4 min read · Updated 2026-09-15

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What is the stick welding amperage chart by rod and diameter?

The rod classification and the core diameter set the current. Plate thickness does not change the window; it decides which diameter you should reach for.

Amperage windows in WeldMaster's Electrode Chart (a dash means the app does not list that size)
DiameterE6010E6011E6013E7014E7018E7024
1/16"——20 – 45 A———
5/64"——35 – 60 A———
3/32"40 – 85 A40 – 90 A40 – 90 A80 – 125 A70 – 110 A100 – 145 A
1/8"75 – 125 A75 – 125 A80 – 130 A110 – 165 A90 – 160 A140 – 190 A
5/32"110 – 165 A110 – 165 A105 – 180 A150 – 210 A130 – 210 A180 – 250 A
3/16"140 – 210 A140 – 210 A150 – 230 A200 – 275 A170 – 260 A230 – 305 A
7/32"————210 – 300 A—
1/4"————250 – 350 A275 – 365 A

What polarity and position does each rod use?

Polarity, positions and what each rod is for, as the app describes them
RodPolarityPositionsTypical use
E6010DCEP onlyAll positionsDeep, digging penetration through rust and mill scale; the classic pipe-root rod
E6011AC or DCEPAll positions6010-style penetration that also runs on AC machines; dirty, painted or galvanized steel
E6013AC, DCEP or DCENAll positionsSoft arc with light penetration; forgiving on thin sheet and a good learner rod
E7014AC, DCEP or DCENAll positionsIron-powder rod with high deposition and easy slag removal on clean steel
E7018AC or DCEPAll positionsLow-hydrogen structural rod; keep it dry in a rod oven
E7024AC, DCEP or DCENFlat & horizontal onlyHeavy drag rod for flat and horizontal fillets, not vertical or overhead

What amperage for a 7018 welding rod?

For a 1/8" 7018, the window is 90 – 160 A on AC or DCEP. A 3/32" runs 70 – 110 A, a 5/32" 130 – 210 A. Starting near the middle — about 125 A for 1/8" — and adjusting on a test piece is a reasonable approach. Many welders run a touch cooler for vertical and overhead than for flat.

Low-hydrogen rods only behave when they are dry. A 7018 that has picked up moisture can cause porosity and cracking whatever the amperage, which is why the app's note says to store them in a rod oven.

How do you use the Stick calculator?

  1. Open Stick from Calculators (Pro).
  2. Under Electrode, pick the Rod Class: E6010, E6011, E6013, E7014, E7018 or E7024.
  3. Pick the Diameter. Only the sizes that rod comes in are offered.
  4. Set the Thickness of the work.
  5. Read Amperage, Polarity, Positions and Suggested Ø, then the usage note and any warning below.

For a quick look without the thickness step, open the Electrode Chart under Reference: it lists every diameter and its amperage for all six rods on one screen.

What amperage for a 1/8" 7018 rod on 1/4" plate?

Stick calculator: E7018, 1/8" rod, 1/4" plate
FieldResult
Amperage90 – 160 A
PolarityAC or DCEP
PositionsAll positions
Suggested Ø5/32"
WarningFor 1/4" material, 5/32" rod is the usual pick.

The amperage is the same as on any other plate; only the suggested diameter reacts to the thickness. The app suggests 3/32" under 1/8", 1/8" up to 3/16", 5/32" up to 5/16", 3/16" up to 1/2", and 1/4" from 1/2" up. It warns only when the rod you picked is actually made in the suggested size.

What are common stick welding mistakes?

  • Too cold and the rod sticks and slag gets trapped; too hot and you get spatter, undercut and a rod that glows red halfway down. Move 5 to 10 A at a time.
  • E6010 needs DCEP. It will not run on an AC-only machine; E6011 is the AC choice with a similar arc.
  • E7024 is flat and horizontal only. On thin stock the app adds a warning that it is heavy and cannot run vertical or overhead.
  • Rods not in the list, such as stainless or hardfacing electrodes, are not covered; use the maker's data.

Questions and answers

What amperage for 6013 rods?
In WeldMaster's chart, 6013 runs 40 – 90 A at 3/32", 80 – 130 A at 1/8" and 105 – 180 A at 5/32", on AC, DCEP or DCEN. It is a soft-arc rod, so thin sheet usually sits toward the low end.
What amperage for 6011 rods?
6011 runs 40 – 90 A at 3/32", 75 – 125 A at 1/8" and 110 – 165 A at 5/32", on AC or DCEP, in all positions.
Does plate thickness change the stick amperage?
Not in WeldMaster. The window comes from the rod class and diameter. Thickness changes the suggested rod diameter, and a thicker rod brings a higher window with it.
Are the Stick calculator and Electrode Chart free?
No, both are part of WeldMaster Pro. The free version includes the MIG calculator and the Gauge Chart.

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