When it comes to welding eye protection, tint matters. Whether you're working around torch cutting, soldering, or grinding types of welding operations, the tint of your safety eyewear not only protects your eyes from serious damage but also affects how clearly you can see on the job.
Historically, green-tinted lenses have been the go-to for welding shade safety glasses - but they’re not without flaws. That’s why HexArmor® developed a new alternative: a grey-tinted weld tint designed to deliver the protection you need without the potential for visual distortion.
So, what’s the difference, and why does it matter? Let’s break it down.
What is a weld shade?
A welding tint is technically called a shade – and often called welding sunglasses in the field – and refers to the level of light filtration provided by a lens and rated by how much visible light it blocks.
These ratings are defined by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard ANSI Z87.1 and are essential for protecting workers from intense visible, ultraviolet (UV), and Infared ration (IR) produced during welding and specific cutting operations.
When working directly with certain kinds of welding applications, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and ANSI provide both mandated and recommended minimum shade numbers based on the process and arc current (amps) being used during the application.
Welding shades typically range from shade 3.0 (for light duty tasks like torch soldering or brazing) to shade 14.0 (for high-amperage arc welding). The higher the number, the darker the lens and the greater the protection. Weld shades as low as 1.2 exist, but they’re used for grinding, inspections, or soldering, whereas with a 3.0 you can you them for actual welding applications.
Common weld shade levels:
- Shade 3.0-5.0: Light-duty welding tasks, torch brazing, oxygen cutting, and nearby welding work
- Shade 8.0-13.0: Arc welding, MIG, TIG, and plasma cutting
- Shade 10.0-13.0: Typically used for direct arc exposure
Per OSHA 1910.252(b)(2)(ii), welders and nearby workers must wear eye protection with lenses that meet the appropriate shade level for the task. ANSI Z87.1 provides guidance to determine additional recommended shade levels based on welding type and brightness.
Per OSHA 1910.252(b)(2)(iii), workers or other persons working around welding areas must also be protected from UV rays with appropriate safety eyewear.
HexTip: Workers tend to forget that weld shades aren’t only important when working WITH welds, they’re also important AROUND them too.
The right welding tint is important: Understanding IR vs welding lenses
While they may seem interchangeable, it’s important to note the difference between IR (infrared) protection and welding eye protection – that's because each are designed to protect against different wavelengths of light and have different safety applications.
Welding and torching produce intense electromagnetic energy, also known as radiant light radiation, which includes infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV), and visible light.
Welding shades primarily filter UV and the lower range of IR radiation (780–1400nm), while IR-specific lenses protect against a broader IR spectrum but don’t guard against UV.
Wearing the wrong type can result in over-filtering visible light or inadequate UV protection, increasing the risk of injury.
Without the right lens protection, this radiation can cause a condition called photokeratitis, a painful “sunburn” to the cornea. Symptoms can include burning, tearing, blurred vision, and in severe cases, permanent eye damage.
Even brief exposure without proper eyewear can result in:
- Immediate discomfort or delayed pain (sometimes hours after exposure)
- Increased risk of cataracts or long-term vision issues
- Higher vulnerability to sparks and flying debris
For a deeper dive into this common confusion, check out our blog: Clearing up confusion between IR and welding eye protection. https://www.hexarmor.com/posts/clearing-up-confusion-between-IR-and-welding-eye-protection
We’ve clarified the difference between IR and welding eyewear protection, but now let’s shift focus. Even within the category of welding lens tints, there are important differences that impact how well you can see and how safely you can work.
Why green-tinted lenses have historically been the go-to
Traditional welding eyewear typically features green-tinted lenses. This color helps block visible light and certain wavelengths of IR and UV, providing protection in line with the ANSI Z87.1 and OSHA 1910.252(b) requirements previously discussed.
But there’s one major drawback: color distortion.
Green lenses can skew the wearer’s perception of light signals, control panel indicators, and other color-coded warnings on the job site, making accurate visual recognition more difficult. This can lead to increased error rates, missed safety cues, and even workplace accidents, especially in environments that rely on color for critical safety communication.
Workplaces use standardized colors, red for danger, yellow for caution, blue for information, and green for safety, to signal critical safety messages. When lens tints alter these colors, it can make it harder for workers to quickly recognize hazards or take appropriate action.
Additionally, one study found that nearly one-third of workers don’t fully recognize or understand safety signs, which makes clear color perception even more important than staying safe on the job.
Grey is the new green: A smarter choice for welding eyewear
To solve this, HexArmor® developed a grey-tinted weld shade in 1.7 and 3.0, an industry innovation that combines needed protection with better on-the-job clarity.
Found in our NX1 safety eyewear, this tint blocks the same hazards as traditional welding lenses but without color distortion from a green lens.
Benefits of our grey weld shade:
- Improved color recognition – No more guessing the color of lights, labels, or surfaces
- OSHA and ANSI Z87.1 compliant
- TruShield® coatings for permanent anti-fog and scratch resistance
- With a neutral grey tint, workers get clearer vision and safer decision-making – without sacrificing protection.
Check out our NX1 eyewear here.
Switching from green to grey-tinted welding glasses may seem like a small change, but it can have a big impact.
With the same ANSI and OSHA protection levels, better color clarity, 100% ultraviolet and Infared protection, and glare reduction, HexArmor’s grey-tinted weld shade is built to keep workers safer, more aware, and more productive.
Note: OSHA requires 3.0 but not 1.7 - 1.7 is for people who still need protection against IR but perhaps it’s not mandated.
HexArmor® can help
When operating around welding-related high heat and sparks, every detail counts. Whether you're watching for warning lights, reading gauges, or sorting materials, being able to accurately see true color can make the difference between safe and unsafe.
HexArmor’s grey tint helps enhance visual acuity and safety awareness, which is why it's quickly becoming the preferred choice for weld-adjacent tasks across multiple industries.
Want to try the NX1 eyewear for your crew or have additional questions? Our safety specialists are ready to work with you. Call 1-877-MY ARMOR or send us a message.
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