# Welding Position Codes: AWS 1G 2G 3G 4G 5G 6G and ISO 6947

> Source: https://netray.co/tools/welding-position-codes-aws-iso-reference
> Publisher: Netray (netray.co), AI and integration engineering for ERP and manufacturing systems.
> Section: Free Tools

## Short answer

Side-by-side lookup of AWS and ISO welding position designations for plate and pipe.

## Category

industry-templates

## Industry

Welding & Fabrication

## Audience

- Welding engineer
- Welding inspector
- Welder
- Quality engineer

## Tool

**Kind:** worksheet

**Mode:** reference

**Columns:**

#### Position code

**Key:** code

**Type:** text

#### System

**Key:** system

**Type:** text

#### Joint type

**Key:** joint

**Type:** text

#### Description

**Key:** description

**Type:** text

#### Closest equivalent

**Key:** equiv

**Type:** text

**Rows:**

**Code:** 1G

**System:** AWS

**Joint:** Groove, plate

**Description:** Flat: weld axis horizontal, face up

**Equiv:** ISO PA

**Code:** 2G

**System:** AWS

**Joint:** Groove, plate

**Description:** Horizontal: weld axis horizontal, plate vertical

**Equiv:** ISO PC

**Code:** 3G

**System:** AWS

**Joint:** Groove, plate

**Description:** Vertical: weld axis vertical, welded up or down

**Equiv:** ISO PF (up) or PG (down)

**Code:** 4G

**System:** AWS

**Joint:** Groove, plate

**Description:** Overhead: welding from below

**Equiv:** ISO PE

**Code:** 1F

**System:** AWS

**Joint:** Fillet, plate

**Description:** Flat fillet, weld face roughly horizontal

**Equiv:** ISO PA

**Code:** 2F

**System:** AWS

**Joint:** Fillet, plate

**Description:** Horizontal fillet, one member horizontal and one vertical

**Equiv:** ISO PB

**Code:** 3F

**System:** AWS

**Joint:** Fillet, plate

**Description:** Vertical fillet

**Equiv:** ISO PF (up) or PG (down)

**Code:** 4F

**System:** AWS

**Joint:** Fillet, plate

**Description:** Overhead fillet

**Equiv:** ISO PD

**Code:** 1G (rotated)

**System:** AWS

**Joint:** Groove, pipe

**Description:** Pipe axis horizontal and rotated, weld stays in flat zone

**Equiv:** ISO PA (rotated)

**Code:** 2G (pipe)

**System:** AWS

**Joint:** Groove, pipe

**Description:** Pipe axis vertical, weld runs horizontally around the pipe

**Equiv:** ISO PC

**Code:** 5G

**System:** AWS

**Joint:** Groove, pipe

**Description:** Pipe axis horizontal and fixed, weld goes through flat, vertical and overhead

**Equiv:** ISO PF (up) or PG (down)

**Code:** 6G

**System:** AWS

**Joint:** Groove, pipe

**Description:** Pipe fixed at about 45 degrees to horizontal, all positions in one weld

**Equiv:** ISO H-L045 (up) or J-L045 (down)

**Code:** 6GR

**System:** AWS

**Joint:** Groove, pipe

**Description:** 6G with a restriction ring near the joint

**Equiv:** No direct ISO twin

**Code:** PA

**System:** ISO 6947

**Joint:** Groove or fillet

**Description:** Flat position

**Equiv:** AWS 1G or 1F

**Code:** PB

**System:** ISO 6947

**Joint:** Fillet

**Description:** Horizontal-vertical fillet

**Equiv:** AWS 2F

**Code:** PC

**System:** ISO 6947

**Joint:** Groove or fillet

**Description:** Horizontal position

**Equiv:** AWS 2G

**Code:** PD

**System:** ISO 6947

**Joint:** Fillet

**Description:** Horizontal overhead fillet

**Equiv:** AWS 4F

**Code:** PE

**System:** ISO 6947

**Joint:** Groove or fillet

**Description:** Overhead position

**Equiv:** AWS 4G

**Code:** PF

**System:** ISO 6947

**Joint:** Groove or fillet

**Description:** Vertical-up

**Equiv:** AWS 3G or 3F (up)

**Code:** PG

**System:** ISO 6947

**Joint:** Groove or fillet

**Description:** Vertical-down

**Equiv:** AWS 3G or 3F (down)

**Code:** PH

**System:** ISO 6947

**Joint:** Pipe

**Description:** Pipe axis horizontal and fixed, welded upward

**Equiv:** AWS 5G (up)

**Code:** PJ

**System:** ISO 6947

**Joint:** Pipe

**Description:** Pipe axis horizontal and fixed, welded downward

**Equiv:** AWS 5G (down)

**Code:** H-L045

**System:** ISO 6947

**Joint:** Pipe

**Description:** Pipe inclined 45 degrees, welded upward

**Equiv:** AWS 6G

**Code:** J-L045

**System:** ISO 6947

**Joint:** Pipe

**Description:** Pipe inclined 45 degrees, welded downward

**Equiv:** AWS 6G (down)

**Notes:** Equivalents are approximate. Qualification ranges, meaning which positions a test covers, are set by the governing code such as AWS D1.1, ASME Section IX or ISO 9606-1, so check the code table before assigning welders.

## Content

**Intro:** Welder test positions decide which jobs a welder may be assigned. This table lines up the AWS plate and pipe positions with the ISO 6947 codes so you can read mixed-standard paperwork without guessing.

**Sections:**

#### How to use this table

**Body:** Filter by system or by the code on the welder qualification record. If the record shows 6G and your WPS uses ISO designations, the closest equivalent column points to H-L045. Use the Joint type column to separate plate from pipe, since 3G on plate and 5G on pipe both involve vertical welding but are different tests. Export the table to keep a controlled copy in your qualification procedure.

#### Plate, pipe and fillet differences

**Body:** In the AWS system, the number gives the position and the letter gives the weld type: G for groove and F for fillet. Plate has four positions. Pipe adds 5G, which is fixed horizontal, and 6G, which is fixed at an incline. 6G is widely treated as a demanding test because the welder passes through flat, vertical and overhead in one weld. ISO 6947 uses letter codes where P stands for position and the second letter gives the orientation.

#### Common mistakes

**Body:** Position labels are easy to mix up when drawings, procedures and qualification records come from different sources.

**Bullets:**

- Assuming 5G and 6G are the same test: 6G is inclined and more restrictive.
- Forgetting that vertical-up and vertical-down are separate in ISO (PF and PG).
- Reading an ISO PB as a groove position: it is for fillets.
- Assigning a welder to a position beyond the qualification range of their test.
- Ignoring the 6GR restriction ring when a code requires it.

**Cta:** If welder qualification and position limits need to be checked against work orders in your ERP, Netray can show how that validation is typically wired in.

**Faq:**

#### What is the difference between 5G and 6G?

**Answer:** In 5G the pipe is fixed horizontally, so the weld passes through flat, vertical and overhead. In 6G the pipe is fixed at about 45 degrees, which adds a position mix that makes it harder. A 6G pass typically qualifies a wide range of positions, subject to the code.

#### What is PF position in welding?

**Answer:** PF is the ISO 6947 vertical-up position. It is the rough equivalent of AWS 3G or 3F when welding upward. Vertical-down is PG, which is treated as a separate position with its own qualification.

#### Does 3G qualify a welder for 1G and 2G?

**Answer:** Under many codes a 3G groove test also covers flat and horizontal groove positions, but the exact range depends on the governing code, thickness and process. Always read the qualification range table in the code or your procedure.

#### What does the R in 6GR mean?

**Answer:** R means restricted. A restriction ring is placed near the weld to limit access, which simulates a joint with obstructions. It is a harder test, and a 6GR pass may cover more situations than a plain 6G depending on the code.

## Search terms

welding positions 1G 2G 3G 4G, 6G welding position, 5G vs 6G pipe welding, ISO 6947 welding positions PA PB PC, AWS vs ISO welding positions, welder test position codes, 1F 2F 3F 4F fillet positions, 6GR restricted pipe test

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