Use a shade lens of ___ or higher for MIG welding

• A. 9 or higher
• B. 3 or higher
• C. 12 or higher
• D. 5 or higher

Answer: (A)

Choosing the right shade on your welding helmet is about protecting your eyes from the bright arc and the UV/IR radiation it emits. MIG welding produces a strong, concentrated light, so you need a lens that cuts that brightness to a safe level while still letting you see the weld well enough to control the process. The correct option represents the minimum level of darkness that provides adequate protection for typical MIG welding conditions. Lighter options would not shield your eyes adequately and could lead to welder’s flash or eye strain, while darker options are safe too but aren’t the minimum required. In practice, a mid-to-dark shade is used for MIG welding to strike a balance between protection and visibility.