A welding stud includes a shank and a head flange, which projects radially relative to the shank and whose outer circumference is of polygonal design in order to be able to apply a test torque (T) to the stud by means of a tool. The flange includes an annular section (16) whose front facing and radially extending annular surface is designed as a welding surface. The annular section directly adjoins the flange, and the annular section and the flange form a head section which has a uniform outside diameter (D) throughout, and wherein the polygonal shape of the flange extends over the annular section up to its front annular surface.