Short answer: for an Australian bathroom floor, look for a tile rated P3 or higher for slip resistance and PEI 2 or higher for wear. Inside the shower, where the floor is wet and soapy for long periods, P4 or P5 is the safer choice. Wall tiles carry no slip requirement at all, so a PEI 0 or 1 tile is perfectly acceptable on a wall.
Tile ratings look like a wall of letters and numbers because they measure different things: how slippery a tile is, how well its glaze survives foot traffic, how much water it absorbs, and how much its colour varies between boxes. This guide covers what each rating actually measures and which number matters for which room.
Which tile ratings actually matter in a bathroom?
Three of them. The rest are useful for commercial specification but rarely change a domestic decision.
| Rating | What it measures | Bathroom target |
|---|---|---|
| P rating (P0–P5) | Slip resistance in wet conditions | P3 floor, P4–P5 shower base |
| PEI (0–5) | Glaze wear under foot traffic | PEI 2+ floor, PEI 0–1 fine on walls |
| Water absorption | Porosity of the tile body | Under 0.5% (porcelain) for wet areas |
What is a P rating and why is it the one to check first?
The P rating comes from the pendulum test in AS 4586, the Australian Standard for slip resistance of new pedestrian surface materials. A weighted pendulum swings across a wetted tile and the friction it meets is converted into a class from P0 to P5. P5 represents the lowest risk of slipping; P0 the highest.
You will also see R ratings (R9–R13) on imported tiles. That is the German ramp test, measured with oil rather than water and with a boot rather than bare feet, so it describes an industrial kitchen better than a domestic shower. R ratings do not convert cleanly to P ratings. When a supplier quotes only an R rating for a wet area, ask for the AS 4586 result.
A third scale, A/B/C, is the barefoot ramp test. It is the most relevant of the three to a shower or a pool surround, where nobody is wearing shoes. Class C is the most slip resistant.
What does the PEI rating tell you?
PEI measures how well a glaze resists visible wear, on a scale of 0 to 5. It says nothing about slip resistance and nothing about strength.
- PEI 0–1 — walls only, or rooms with no foot traffic
- PEI 2 — light residential floors: bathrooms, bedrooms
- PEI 3 — most residential floors including kitchens and hallways
- PEI 4 — heavy residential and light commercial
- PEI 5 — commercial and industrial traffic
Because PEI grades the glaze, it does not apply to full-body porcelain or unglazed tiles. Those are assessed on abrasion resistance instead.
Porcelain or ceramic for a bathroom?
The practical difference is water absorption. Porcelain absorbs less than 0.5% of its weight in water; ceramic typically absorbs more. In a shower enclosure or on a bathroom floor that is wet daily, the lower absorption of porcelain is the reason it is usually specified — not because it is inherently stronger.
On walls, where the tile is protected by waterproofing behind it and rarely stands in water, ceramic is a reasonable and cheaper choice.
Why do tiles from the same order look different?
That is the V rating, or shade variation, from V1 to V4. V1 is near-uniform; V4 has substantial variation between pieces and is common in stone-look and terrazzo-look ranges. Variation is a design property, not a fault.
Two practical consequences: check the batch number on every carton before installation, and mix tiles from several boxes as you lay them so the variation reads as intentional rather than patchy.
How much extra should you order?
Allow for cuts, breakages and future repairs. Shade and batch will not be reproducible later, so a small surplus kept in the garage is worth more than a reorder. Confirm the exact allowance with your tiler, since it depends on the layout, the room's geometry and whether the tile is being laid on a diagonal.
Frequently asked questions
Is P3 enough for a bathroom floor?
For the general bathroom floor, yes. For the shower floor itself, P4 or P5 is the safer specification because that surface stays wet and soapy for longer.
Can I use wall tiles on the floor?
No. Wall tiles are usually PEI 0 or 1 and carry no slip rating, so they are neither durable enough nor safe enough underfoot.
Can I use floor tiles on the wall?
Usually yes, subject to weight. Heavier, thicker floor tiles need an adhesive rated for vertical application — confirm with your tiler before ordering.
Does a higher PEI mean a stronger tile?
No. PEI grades glaze wear only. Breaking strength and water absorption are measured separately.
What is the difference between P ratings and R ratings?
P ratings come from the AS 4586 pendulum test under water and are the Australian reference. R ratings come from a German oil-wet ramp test wearing boots. They measure different conditions and are not interchangeable.
Do I need slip-rated tiles on a bathroom wall?
No. Slip ratings apply to surfaces people walk on.
Getting a second opinion
Ratings narrow the field, but colour, finish and how a tile reads under your own lighting are hard to judge from a screen. Order samples before committing, and view them in the room they are destined for, at the time of day you use it most.
You can compare finishes in person at the Besten Home showroom at 283A Victoria Road, Rydalmere NSW 2116, or ask our team to check a specific rating for you before you order.