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

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.

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Position code	System	Joint type	Description	Closest equivalent
1G	AWS	Groove, plate	Flat: weld axis horizontal, face up	ISO PA
2G	AWS	Groove, plate	Horizontal: weld axis horizontal, plate vertical	ISO PC
3G	AWS	Groove, plate	Vertical: weld axis vertical, welded up or down	ISO PF (up) or PG (down)
4G	AWS	Groove, plate	Overhead: welding from below	ISO PE
1F	AWS	Fillet, plate	Flat fillet, weld face roughly horizontal	ISO PA
2F	AWS	Fillet, plate	Horizontal fillet, one member horizontal and one vertical	ISO PB
3F	AWS	Fillet, plate	Vertical fillet	ISO PF (up) or PG (down)
4F	AWS	Fillet, plate	Overhead fillet	ISO PD
1G (rotated)	AWS	Groove, pipe	Pipe axis horizontal and rotated, weld stays in flat zone	ISO PA (rotated)
2G (pipe)	AWS	Groove, pipe	Pipe axis vertical, weld runs horizontally around the pipe	ISO PC
5G	AWS	Groove, pipe	Pipe axis horizontal and fixed, weld goes through flat, vertical and overhead	ISO PF (up) or PG (down)
6G	AWS	Groove, pipe	Pipe fixed at about 45 degrees to horizontal, all positions in one weld	ISO H-L045 (up) or J-L045 (down)
6GR	AWS	Groove, pipe	6G with a restriction ring near the joint	No direct ISO twin
PA	ISO 6947	Groove or fillet	Flat position	AWS 1G or 1F
PB	ISO 6947	Fillet	Horizontal-vertical fillet	AWS 2F
PC	ISO 6947	Groove or fillet	Horizontal position	AWS 2G
PD	ISO 6947	Fillet	Horizontal overhead fillet	AWS 4F
PE	ISO 6947	Groove or fillet	Overhead position	AWS 4G
PF	ISO 6947	Groove or fillet	Vertical-up	AWS 3G or 3F (up)
PG	ISO 6947	Groove or fillet	Vertical-down	AWS 3G or 3F (down)
PH	ISO 6947	Pipe	Pipe axis horizontal and fixed, welded upward	AWS 5G (up)
PJ	ISO 6947	Pipe	Pipe axis horizontal and fixed, welded downward	AWS 5G (down)
H-L045	ISO 6947	Pipe	Pipe inclined 45 degrees, welded upward	AWS 6G
J-L045	ISO 6947	Pipe	Pipe inclined 45 degrees, welded downward	AWS 6G (down)

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.

Check welder limits against work orders

Optional: a short review of linking qualification records to routings and jobs.

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How to use this table

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

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

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

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 5G and 6G?

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?

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?

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?

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.

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.

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