Abstract The possibility of a rigorous theoretical solution of the three-dimensional problem of scattering of elastic waves at the tip of a vertical crack in a weld is analyzed. It is shown that in the general case of ultrasound scattering on a flat target, the three-dimensional problem can be reduced to a two-dimensional one. On this basis, for an arbitrary direction of sounding a crack in a weld, the dependence of the signal from the crack tip on the direction to the receiver was assessed. It is noted that the wave size of the crack tip is much smaller than the wave size of the end of the grooves that can be made to simulate defects in welded joints. As a result, it was found that the nature of the scattering of elastic waves by the tip of the crack differs from the nature of scattering on the grooves, including in cases where the opening of the grooves is minimal, based on the possibility of their manufacture. The results of an experimental verification of the obtained theoretical estimates on samples of steel and aluminum are presented. It is shown that at the ends of the grooves (in contrast to the crack tips), even with their minimal openings, conditions are created for the formation of a scattered field of the type of specular reflection from a volumetric cavity—a side-drilled hole.