ANSI Z87.1 Standard Explained for Welding Helmets

← All Posts helmets Weld Gear Team Last updated on July 19, 2026

I have bought helmets that were marked Z87.1 and helmets that were not, and the difference in actual optical clarity and lens performance was obvious enough that I stopped buying uncertified helmets entirely. But understanding what Z87.1 actually tests, what the marking on a lens means, and how to verify that a helmet is genuinely certified took me longer to learn than it should have. If you have ever seen Z87.1 printed on a welding helmet and wondered what it means in practical terms, this guide walks through the standard from the welding user’s perspective.

What ANSI Z87.1 Is

ANSI Z87.1 is the American National Standard for Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices. It is published by the American National Standards Institute in collaboration with the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA). The standard defines the testing protocols and performance requirements that eye and face protection devices must meet to carry the Z87.1 marking.

The standard is not limited to welding helmets. It covers safety glasses, goggles, face shields, and welding helmets under a unified testing framework. For welding helmets specifically, the relevant sections cover impact resistance of both the shell and the lens, filter shade verification, UV and IR radiation filtration, and optical clarity across four measurable dimensions.

OSHA references ANSI Z87.1 under 29 CFR 1910.133, which requires that eye and face protection used in industrial workplaces meet the requirements of ANSI Z87.1 or an equivalent standard. This means that in any regulated workplace, your welding helmet must carry the Z87.1 marking to be compliant with the OSHA standard for eye and face protection.

Z87 vs Z87+: What the Plus Means

The marking Z87 indicates that the device meets the basic ANSI Z87.1 requirements. The marking Z87+ (with a plus sign) indicates that the device has additionally passed the high impact test requirements. There are two impact tiers in the Z87.1 standard:

Basic impact: tested with a 1-inch steel ball dropped from 50 inches onto the lens, and a steel point impactor test on the frame. Basic impact protection is the minimum for any Z87.1 marked device.

High impact (Z87+): tested with a 1/4-inch steel ball at 150 feet per second onto the lens. This is a significantly more demanding test and devices that pass it are marked Z87+.

For welding helmet applications, a Z87+ marking provides the higher level of impact protection. If the helmet will be used near grinding, chipping, or any process that generates high-velocity projectiles, Z87+ is the appropriate marking to look for on the lens and frame.

What ANSI Z87.1 Tests for Welding Helmets

Impact resistance. Both the lens and the helmet shell are tested for resistance to impact from the standardized test objects described above.

UV and IR filtration. Welding lenses must block UV radiation and infrared radiation to specified levels at each shade number. The standard verifies that a shade 10 lens actually blocks the UV and IR levels that a shade 10 is supposed to block, not just that the lens looks dark.

Shade accuracy. The actual transmittance of the lens must fall within a specified tolerance of the labeled shade number. A lens labeled shade 10 must actually have the transmittance of shade 10, within the standard’s stated tolerance.

Optical clarity. This is the most technically complex section for welding users. ANSI Z87.1 tests four distinct optical clarity dimensions:

The Four Optical Clarity Tests

Test	What It Measures	Why It Matters
Luminous transmittance (shade accuracy)	Does the lens transmit the correct percentage of visible light for the stated shade?	Ensures the shade number is real, not just a label
Diffusion of light	Does the lens scatter light, causing haziness or reduced contrast?	A lens that scatters light causes visual fatigue and reduces weld pool visibility
Variations in luminous transmittance	Is transmittance consistent across the full lens area?	Non-uniform transmission causes visual distortion when looking through different parts of the lens
Refractive power and prism	Does the lens bend light, creating optical distortion or prismatic effect?	Lens distortion causes eye strain and inaccurate perception of the weld pool position

Each of these four properties is measured and must fall within specified tolerance ranges for the lens to carry the Z87.1 marking. The optical clarity ratings are numbered 1 through 3 on some European equivalent standards, but in ANSI Z87.1 the lens either passes or does not, with the pass/fail thresholds set at values designed to protect welders’ visual health over extended use.

How to Read the Z87.1 Marking on a Welding Lens

On a Z87.1 certified welding lens, you will typically find the following markings stamped or etched on the lens itself, not just on the packaging:

The Z87 or Z87+ marking indicates certification level. The shade number (e.g., W10 for a welding shade 10) identifies the lens shade. The manufacturer’s mark identifies the maker for traceability. On an auto-darkening lens, the certification marking is typically on the exterior frame or on the lens when in the darkened state.

If a welding helmet has the Z87.1 marking only on the packaging but not on the lens itself, the certification marking is not meeting the standard’s requirement for marking on the device. ISEA and ANSI require the marking on the protective device, not just the box.

How to Verify Genuine Z87.1 Certification

Look for the Z87 or Z87+ marking directly on the lens, not just the box. Check the manufacturer’s documentation or website for certification confirmation. For premium auto-darkening helmets from Lincoln Electric, Miller, 3M Speedglas, and ESAB, the Z87.1 certification is independently audited and consistently maintained. For budget helmets, particularly those from unfamiliar brands selling through non-specialty channels, the marking may be present without genuine independent certification.

OSHA allows employers to require workers to produce documentation of PPE certification when there is reason to question the marking. For personal protection, buying from established welding supply channels and recognized brands is the most reliable way to get genuinely certified eye protection.

The Bottom Line

Z87.1 is not a marketing designation. It is a pass/fail test protocol that covers impact resistance, UV and IR filtration, shade accuracy, and four dimensions of optical clarity. The Z87+ marking means the device passed the higher-impact test tier. Look for the marking on the lens itself, not just the packaging, and buy from suppliers who carry documentation. In any regulated workplace, the OSHA 1910.133 requirement for Z87.1 or equivalent certification is a compliance requirement, not a recommendation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Z87.1 mean on a welding helmet? Z87.1 means the helmet and its lens have been tested to meet the requirements of the ANSI Z87.1 standard for occupational eye and face protection, covering impact resistance, UV and IR filtration, shade accuracy, and optical clarity.

What is the difference between Z87 and Z87+? Z87 meets the basic impact test. Z87+ meets the higher-velocity impact test (1/4 inch steel ball at 150 fps). Z87+ is the higher protection level for environments with projectile hazards.

Does OSHA require Z87.1 for welding helmets? Yes. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.133 requires that eye and face protection used in regulated industrial workplaces meet the ANSI Z87.1 standard or an equivalent standard.

Why does optical clarity matter in a welding lens? Poor optical clarity causes visual distortion that leads to eye strain, inaccurate bead placement, and difficulty reading the weld pool. A lens that passes all four Z87.1 optical clarity tests protects your eyes and improves weld quality.

How can I tell if a cheap helmet is genuinely Z87.1 certified? Look for the Z87 or Z87+ marking directly on the lens itself, not just the packaging. Buy from recognized welding supply channels. For budget helmets with uncertain provenance, contact the manufacturer for independent certification documentation.

Where should the Z87.1 marking appear? ANSI Z87.1 requires the marking to appear on the protective device itself. For a welding helmet, this means the lens must carry the marking, not just the box or helmet shell.

What shade should a Z87.1 welding lens be for MIG welding? AWS Z49.1 recommends shade 10 to 13 for GMAW (MIG) welding depending on wire diameter and amperage. The shade 10 minimum covers most common MIG parameters.