The effects of the welding parameters, contact tip-to-workpiece distance (CTWD), current, and voltage on the diffusible hydrogen content in weld metal deposited by self-shielded flux cored arc welding were investigated and rationalized by comparing the amount of heat generated in the extension length of the wire. This showed that as CTWD increased from 15mm to 25mm, the amount of heat generated was increased from 71.1J to 174.8J, and the hydrogen content was decreased from 11.3mL/100g to 5.9mL/100 g. Even if little difference was observed in the amount of heat generated, the hydrogen content was increased with an increase in voltage because of the longer arc length. A regression analysis showed that the regression coefficient of voltage in self-shielded flux cored arc welding is greater than that in $CO_2$ arc welding. This implies that voltage control is more important in self-shielded flux cored arc welding than in $CO_2$ arc welding.