Shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), commonly called stick welding, can be performed in all standard welding positions: flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead. The American Welding Society classifies these positions using a numbering system (1 through 4 for plate, with additional codes for pipe), and your ability to weld in each one depends on both your skill level and the electrode you choose.
The Four Standard Plate Positions
AWS uses a number-letter code where the number indicates the position and the letter indicates the joint type: “G” for groove welds and “F” for fillet welds. Here are the four plate positions where SMAW is performed:
- 1G / 1F (Flat): The workpiece sits flat beneath you, and gravity pulls the molten weld pool into the joint. This is the easiest position to learn and produces the most consistent results for beginners.
- 2G / 2F (Horizontal): The weld runs horizontally along a vertical surface. Gravity tries to pull the molten metal downward, so you need tighter control of your arc length and travel speed to prevent the bead from sagging.
- 3G / 3F (Vertical): The weld travels up or down a vertical joint. This position requires you to manage a weld pool that constantly wants to drip, making it significantly more demanding than flat or horizontal work.
- 4G / 4F (Overhead): You weld on the underside of a joint above your head. Gravity works directly against you, pulling molten metal toward the floor. Overhead welding is widely considered the most difficult plate position.
Pipe Welding Positions
Pipe welding uses its own position codes because the joint wraps around a cylindrical surface, meaning you often pass through multiple orientations in a single weld. The key pipe groove positions for SMAW are:
- 1G (Rotated): The pipe is horizontal and rotates as you weld, keeping the arc at the top (effectively flat position the entire time).
- 2G: The pipe is vertical and does not rotate. You weld horizontally around the circumference.
- 5G: The pipe is horizontal and fixed. You weld around the full circumference without rotating it, passing through flat, vertical, and overhead orientations in a single pass.
- 6G: The pipe is fixed at a 45-degree angle. This combines every challenge from the other positions into one joint, which is why a 6G qualification is the most comprehensive pipe test a welder can hold.
Vertical Up vs. Vertical Down
Vertical welding can be done in two directions, and the choice matters more than many beginners expect.
Vertical up (sometimes noted as 3G-U or 3F-U) means you start at the bottom of the joint and work upward. This approach provides deeper penetration and a stronger weld because the molten pool has more time to fuse into the base metal. It is the standard technique for structural steel, heavy equipment, and any application where weld strength is critical. The tradeoff is speed: vertical up is slower and requires steady hand control to keep the pool from dripping downward.
Vertical down (3G-D or 3F-D) runs from top to bottom. It is faster and works well on thinner materials where excessive heat could burn through the base metal. However, vertical down produces shallower penetration, and the risk of slag getting trapped in the weld or undercutting the edges is higher. Many structural welding codes do not allow vertical down progression on critical joints for exactly these reasons.
How Your Electrode Choice Affects Position
Not every stick electrode is rated for every position. The third digit in an AWS electrode classification number tells you where that rod can be used. For example, in an E7018 electrode, the “1” after “70” is the position indicator.
- 1 (all-position): The electrode works in flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead. Common examples include E6010, E6011, E7018, and E7014.
- 2 (flat and horizontal only): The electrode’s flux coating and slag system are designed for positions where gravity helps. These rods often run at higher deposition rates, making them efficient for production work on flat surfaces. E7024 is a common example.
- 4 (all-position, vertical down only): These electrodes can be used everywhere, but when welding vertically, the progression must be downhill rather than uphill. The “3” designation once existed but is now obsolete, as those electrodes are no longer manufactured.
If you try to run a “2” electrode overhead, the weld pool will not stay in place and you will end up with a poor, unsafe joint. Always check the electrode classification before starting work in any out-of-position situation.
How Position Qualification Works
When you test for a welding certification under AWS D1.1 (the structural welding code used across most of the U.S.), passing a harder position can qualify you for easier ones. The logic is straightforward: if you can produce a sound weld overhead, you have already demonstrated the skills needed for flat work.
The specific rules are laid out in Table 6.10 of AWS D1.1/D1.1M:2020, which maps each test position to the production positions it covers. For instance, passing a 3G and 4G plate test together qualifies you to weld groove joints in all four plate positions. A 6G pipe test qualifies you for all pipe positions because the 45-degree fixed pipe forces you through every orientation. This is why welders pursuing the broadest possible certification often go straight to 6G testing rather than qualifying in each position separately.
Practical Tips for Out-of-Position SMAW
Welding in flat position is forgiving. The challenge begins when you move to horizontal, vertical, or overhead, where gravity is no longer your ally. A few adjustments make a significant difference.
Lower your amperage slightly when welding overhead or vertical. A smaller, more controllable weld pool is easier to manage when gravity is pulling it away from the joint. Tighten your arc length as well, keeping the electrode closer to the work to maintain a stable arc and reduce spatter. In overhead position, use a slight weave or “J” pattern to distribute heat evenly without letting the pool grow too large and drip.
Electrode diameter matters too. Thinner rods (3/32″ or 1/8″) are easier to control out of position than 5/32″ or larger rods, which deposit more metal and create a bigger pool. Many welders step down one rod size when moving from flat to overhead or vertical work. For vertical up welding, a slight pause at each side of your weave pattern lets the metal solidify just enough to support the next pass, building the bead in controlled increments rather than fighting a runaway pool.