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Solidification cracking is a concern for welding magnesium (Mg) alloys. An index, the maximum 'dT/d(fS)1/2', was used with the thermodynamic software Pandat to make solidification cracking susceptibility predictions for AZ-Mg arc welds which have the main alloying elements of aluminum and zinc in the magnesium matrix. The effect of AZ101 magnesium filler on reducing crack susceptibility of commercially available AZ31, AZ61 and AZ91 Mg alloys was investigated with the crack susceptibility index. The filler metal AZ101 Mg alloy was found effective to reduce the susceptibility of all the three AZ-Mg alloys to solidification cracking. The influence of the amount of aluminum and zinc in the AZ-Mg alloys on the crack susceptibility was predicted using the cracking index and Pandat based on Scheil solidification model. The predictions based on the index were compared to the experimental crack susceptibility data of the AZ-Mg alloys, and it was seen that the general trend of both predictions and the reported data was consistent with each other. The predictions were explained in the light of the criterion proposed for solidification cracking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]