WPS vs PQR – What’s the Real Difference

A Welding Procedure Specification (WPS) is a detailed written document that tells welders how to weld — it lists the welding process, materials, joint design, parameters (like current, voltage, heat input), and ranges so that welds can be consistently reproduced to meet quality standards. A Procedure Qualification Record (PQR) is the record of an actual test weld and its test results; it captures the exact values used during a trial weld and verifies that those procedures produce welds with acceptable mechanical properties. The PQR is created first and used to develop and validate the WPS — essentially, the WPS guides production welding, and the PQR proves that the welding procedure works and meets required codes and standards