Tile Abrasion Resistance Standard: ASTM C1027
ASTM C1027 is the standard test method used to measure how well a glazed tile's surface resists visible abrasion from foot traffic. The results are reported as a PEI rating, a five-class scale from Class I (wall use only) to Class V (heavy commercial use).
The PEI classification predates ASTM C1027, originating decades earlier with the Porcelain Enamel Institute, and the two are now used together to give homeowners and contractors a standardized way to match tile durability to where it will be installed.
What ASTM C1027 Actually Tests
ASTM C1027-19, titled Standard Test Method for Determining Visible Abrasion Resistance of Glazed Ceramic Tile, was developed by ASTM International's Committee C21 on Ceramic Whitewares and Related Products. The test rotates a measured load of steel balls and abrasive grit across a tile's glazed surface for a set number of revolutions, using a device commonly called an abrasimeter. After each stage, technicians compare the abraded area to an unabraded control tile under controlled lighting to check for visible wear. The highest revolution count a tile withstands before wear becomes visible determines its class.
This method replaced earlier, less consistent evaluation approaches and gave manufacturers and retailers a shared reference point. Because the test targets the glaze layer, it applies specifically to glazed ceramic and porcelain tile. Unglazed tile and through-body porcelain typically do not receive a PEI rating at all, since there is no separate glaze layer to test. Natural stone is assessed for wear resistance under its own separate standard rather than PEI or ASTM C1027.
The Five PEI Classes of Tiles
The PEI scale runs from I to V, with each class tied to a general use case rather than a strict guarantee of performance in every installation:
PEI I
Is rated for wall use only. These tiles are not intended for any foot traffic and are common in backsplashes, shower walls, and decorative wall applications.
PEI II
Suits light residential use where bare or stocking feet are typical, such as bathrooms. Areas with regular street shoes or heavier traffic are not a good match for this class.
PEI III
Covers residential floors in all areas of a home, including kitchens and entryways. This is the most common rating for standard floor tile in single-family homes.
PEI IV
Steps up to heavy residential and light commercial use. This includes homes with pets, high-traffic households, and commercial spaces with moderate foot traffic, such as small offices or boutique retail.
PEI V
Is built for heavy commercial and public settings, including airports, shopping centers, and other spaces that see continuous, heavy foot traffic over many years.
Checking PEI class before buying tile is a simple way to avoid a mismatch between a tile and the space it goes into. A wall tile rated PEI I will not hold up on a floor, and a heavy commercial PEI V tile is not a requirement for a quiet residential bathroom. Looking at the PEI class alongside water absorption and slip resistance figures on a spec sheet gives a fuller picture of how a tile will perform once it is installed.
Choosing the Right PEI Class for Your Tile Project
PEI rating and the ASTM C1027 test behind it give a straightforward way to gauge how a glazed tile will hold up to foot traffic over time. Matching the right class to a space, whether that is a low-traffic powder room or a busy commercial entryway, helps a tile installation perform as expected for years. Since PEI rating addresses abrasion resistance specifically and not water resistance or slip resistance, it works best as one part of a broader evaluation that includes the tile's full technical specifications.
Why Tile's PEI Rating System Predates the Modern Test
The PEI classification was originally created by the Porcelain Enamel Institute well before ASTM C1027 existed as a formal test method. Over time, the two became linked, and today ASTM C1027 is the recognized US procedure used to assign a tile's PEI class. Manufacturers reference both terms because the industry has used them interchangeably for decades, and both appear on tile specification sheets and product documentation.
Because ASTM maintains and periodically reviews this standard, the current version, ASTM C1027-19, reflects updated testing conditions and terminology compared to earlier editions. Retailers and installers who reference current ASTM documentation can be confident they are working from the most accurate test criteria available.
PEI Rating: Context and Limitations
Worth noting that PEI rating
Has no bearing on a tile's water resistance, stain resistance, or slip resistance. A tile can carry a high PEI class and still be unsuitable for wet areas if it lacks adequate slip resistance, or vice versa. Reviewing a tile's full specification sheet, rather than relying on PEI class alone, gives a more complete picture of how it will perform.
PEI V represents the ceiling of the scale
Covering heavy to extra heavy commercial and institutional traffic such as shopping malls, airports, and hotel lobbies. There is no class above V, so residential and most commercial projects will find an appropriate match within the five-class range. When in doubt, choosing a slightly higher PEI class than the minimum recommendation is a reasonable way to add a margin of durability, particularly in households with children, pets, or frequent guests.
Tile's PEI rating is one factor among several to weigh
When selecting flooring, alongside slip resistance, water absorption, and overall design goals. Slip resistance is measured under a separate method, ANSI A326.3, with ANSI A137.1 setting the minimum requirement for tiles used in wet interior areas. A PEI III tile installed in a busy kitchen will likely show wear far sooner than the same tile in a quiet guest bathroom, even though both fall within the tile's intended residential use case in the first scenario. For spaces with mixed use, such as a home office that also functions as a small client-facing studio, it is worth selecting a higher PEI class than the minimum residential recommendation.
PEI rating measures a glazed tile's resistance to visible surface abrasion from foot traffic, based on the ASTM C1027 test method. Ratings range from Class I, suitable only for walls, to Class V, suitable for heavy commercial traffic.
PEI III tile is recommended for residential floors in all areas of a home, while PEI IV tile is rated for heavy residential use and light commercial settings with more frequent foot traffic.
No. PEI rating only measures resistance to visible surface wear from abrasion. Slip resistance is measured separately using the DCOF test method under ANSI A326.3, with minimum values set by ANSI A137.1.
ASTM C1027 was developed by ASTM International's Committee C21 on Ceramic Whitewares and Related Products. The PEI classification system itself predates this test and was originally created by the Porcelain Enamel Institute.
No. PEI I tile is rated for wall use only and is not designed to withstand foot traffic of any kind.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tile's PEI Rating
About Nova Tile and Stone
Nova Tile and Stone is a direct natural stone importer and tile retailer serving Northern Nevada and Northern California. We carry natural stone slabs, tile, countertops, hardwood and LVP flooring, pavers and exterior stone, and carpet across four showroom locations. Our commission-free team offers free design consultations to help you find the right material for your project, whether you are selecting tile for a single bathroom or sourcing stone for a full home renovation.
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