Tile Abrasion Resistance Standard: ASTM C1027
ASTM C1027 is the standard test method used to measure a glazed ceramic tile’s resistance to visible surface abrasion. It assigns glazed tile to one of six abrasion classes, from Class 0, for walls only, to Class V, for heavy commercial traffic. In retail guidance, these classes are commonly referred to as PEI ratings and are often written as PEI 0 through PEI 5.
PEI ratings provide general guidance for matching glazed tile to expected traffic levels. They do not confirm suitability for every installation, so the rating should be reviewed together with the manufacturer's approved applications and complete technical specifications.
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 an abrasive load on the tile’s glazed surface for set numbers of revolutions. After each stage, the abraded area is visually compared with unabraded tile to check for visible wear. The class is assigned based on the revolution stage at which wear first becomes visible.
Because ASTM C1027 evaluates visible abrasion of the glazed surface, it applies to glazed ceramic tile, including glazed porcelain tile. Unglazed tile and through-body porcelain typically do not receive a PEI rating because they do not have a separate glaze layer to evaluate. Their wear resistance is measured instead by ASTM C1243, a deep abrasion test based on volume loss.
ASTM C1027 and PEI ratings do not apply to natural stone. Stone flooring is evaluated for abrasion under ASTM C1353 or ASTM C241, which report an abrasive hardness (Ha) value. ASTM C241 is used for very hard, coarse-grained stones such as granite, which ASTM C1353 is not suited to test.
The Six PEI Classes of Tile
The PEI scale runs from 0 to 5, with each class tied to a general use case rather than a strict guarantee of performance in every installation:
PEI 0
Is rated for wall use only and is not recommended for floors. These tiles are common in backsplashes, shower walls, and decorative wall applications.
PEI 1
Suits light residential floor traffic in areas where soft-soled footwear is typical, such as bedrooms and residential bathrooms.
PEI 2
Suits general residential use, including interior walls and floors with light foot traffic, such as powder rooms and bathrooms. Areas that see tracked-in dirt from outdoors are a better match for a higher class.
PEI 3
Covers medium-duty residential floors, including kitchens and hallways, and light commercial areas with limited foot traffic and no direct access from outdoors.
PEI 4
Steps up to residential and commercial floors that see considerable foot traffic and abrasive dirt.
PEI 5
Is intended for heavy commercial and institutional floors with heavy foot traffic and very abrasive soil, such as retail stores, entrance halls, and hotel floors. To reach this class, a tile must withstand more than 12,000 revolutions and also pass a staining test on its abraded surface.
Checking the PEI class before buying tile is a simple way to avoid a mismatch between a tile and the space it goes into. A PEI 0 wall tile is not intended for floors, and a heavy commercial PEI 5 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 is likely to 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.
How ASTM C1027 Relates to PEI Ratings
ASTM C1027 is one of the test methods referenced in ANSI A137.1, the American National Standard specification for ceramic tile. Manufacturer technical data often reports results as abrasion classes (Class 0 through Class V), while retail guidance more commonly uses PEI ratings (PEI 0 through PEI 5). Both refer to the same classification.
The terms "ASTM C1027 abrasion class" and "PEI rating" are often used together in product documentation, but the manufacturer's technical specifications remain the primary reference for the approved applications of a particular tile. This page references ASTM C1027-19.
PEI Rating: Context and Limitations
What PEI Rating Does Not Measure
PEI rating does not measure a tile’s water resistance or slip resistance, and apart from the staining check used to assign PEI 5, it is not a measure of general stain resistance. A tile can have a high PEI rating and still be unsuitable for a wet area if it does not have the required slip resistance and product use classification. Review the tile’s complete specification sheet rather than relying on PEI rating alone.
What the Test Itself Cannot Capture
ASTM C1027 is designed to compare tiles of like color and finish, so results should not be used to compare different colors or finishes. Darker colors can show wear more readily than lighter ones. The method also does not optimally evaluate loss of gloss, and some irregular surface textures may not be evaluated properly because of how they wear.
PEI 5 Represents the Top of the Scale
PEI 5 covers heavy commercial and institutional traffic. There is no rating above PEI 5. Select a rating appropriate for the expected traffic level and confirm that the specific product is approved for the intended application.
PEI Rating Is One Selection Factor
When selecting flooring, consider the PEI rating alongside slip resistance, water absorption, the manufacturer’s approved applications, and the project’s design requirements. Slip resistance is evaluated separately through DCOF testing under ANSI A326.3, which classifies hard surface flooring into five product use categories: Interior Dry (ID), Interior Wet (IW), Interior Wet Plus (IW+), Exterior Wet (EW), and Oils/Greases (O/G). A tile exposed to frequent abrasive traffic may show visible wear sooner than the same tile installed in a lightly used room, even when both installations fall within its general use category.
PEI rating describes a glazed tile’s resistance to visible surface abrasion from foot traffic, based on the ASTM C1027 test method. Ratings range from PEI 0, suitable only for walls, to PEI 5, suitable for heavy commercial traffic.
PEI 3 tile suits medium-duty residential floors such as kitchens and hallways, plus light commercial areas with limited traffic. PEI 4 tile is rated for residential and commercial floors that see considerable foot traffic and abrasive dirt.
No. PEI rating addresses only a glazed tile’s resistance to visible surface abrasion. Slip resistance is evaluated separately through DCOF testing and the ANSI A326.3 product use classifications.
ASTM C1027 was developed by ASTM International’s Committee C21 on Ceramic Whitewares and Related Products. The PEI name refers to the Porcelain Enamel Institute.
No. PEI 0 tile is rated for wall use only. PEI 1 is the lowest class rated for floors, and it is limited to light residential traffic with soft-soled footwear.
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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