🦶 Understanding Slip Ratings on Tiles
Choose tiles that look beautiful and perform perfectly. This guide explains UK slip ratings in plain English so you can pick the right surface for bathrooms, kitchens, hallways and outdoors.
🧾What are slip ratings?
Slip ratings are official test results that show how much grip a tile has in dry or wet conditions. In the UK, you’ll most often see:
- R Rating (Ramp Test) — graded R9 to R13 for overall grip.
- PTV (Pendulum Test Value) — a number; 36+ is typically considered low slip risk when wet.
🎯Quick selector
| Room / Area | Recommended R |
|---|---|
| Living room / hallway | R9 – R10 |
| Kitchen | R10 – R11 |
| Bathroom / wet room | R11 |
| Outdoor patio / steps | R11 – R12 |
| Commercial / public space | R12 – R13 |
🧍♂️The “R” rating (Ramp test)
The ramp test measures the steepness a person can walk without slipping. Higher = grippier.
| R rating | Grip level | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| R9 | Low | Indoor dry areas, feature walls |
| R10 | Moderate | Bathrooms, kitchens, general domestic floors |
| R11 | Good | Wet areas, porches, utility rooms |
| R12 | High | Outdoor patios, pool surrounds, busy entries |
| R13 | Very high | Commercial kitchens, heavy-duty wet zones |
🧽Balancing safety & style
Higher slip resistance usually means a more textured surface.
- Bathrooms: R11 — safe and comfy underfoot.
- Kitchens: R10 — easy to mop and plenty of grip.
- Hallways: R10/R11 — match to traffic level.
🌿Outdoor tiles & UK weather
- Choose R11–R12 with structured texture.
- Prefer frost-proof porcelain for durability.
- Keep algae/moss off for consistent traction.
Need help choosing the right slip rating?
Pop into our Christchurch showroom or send us a photo of your space — we’ll recommend tiles that look great and perform perfectly.
Talk to an expert✅Summary
- R ratings run R9 (lower grip) to R13 (very high grip).
- PTV 36+ is a good benchmark for wet/public areas.
- Most homes suit R10–R11; outdoors/commercial go R11–R13.
🦶 Understanding Slip Ratings on Tiles
Choose tiles that look beautiful and perform perfectly. This guide explains UK slip ratings in plain English so you can pick the right surface for bathrooms, kitchens, hallways and outdoors.
🧾What are slip ratings?
Slip ratings are official test results that show how much grip a tile has in dry or wet conditions. In the UK, you’ll most often see:
- R Rating (Ramp Test) — graded R9 to R13 for overall grip.
- PTV (Pendulum Test Value) — a number; 36+ is typically considered low slip risk when wet.
🎯Quick selector
| Room / Area | Recommended R |
|---|---|
| Living room / hallway | R9 – R10 |
| Kitchen | R10 – R11 |
| Bathroom / wet room | R11 |
| Outdoor patio / steps | R11 – R12 |
| Commercial / public space | R12 – R13 |
🧍♂️The “R” rating (Ramp test)
The ramp test measures the steepness a person can walk without slipping. Higher = grippier.
| R rating | Grip level | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| R9 | Low | Indoor dry areas, feature walls |
| R10 | Moderate | Bathrooms, kitchens, general domestic floors |
| R11 | Good | Wet areas, porches, utility rooms |
| R12 | High | Outdoor patios, pool surrounds, busy entries |
| R13 | Very high | Commercial kitchens, heavy-duty wet zones |
🧽Balancing safety & style
Higher slip resistance usually means a more textured surface.
- Bathrooms: R11 — safe and comfy underfoot.
- Kitchens: R10 — easy to mop and plenty of grip.
- Hallways: R10/R11 — match to traffic level.
🌿Outdoor tiles & UK weather
- Choose R11–R12 with structured texture.
- Prefer frost-proof porcelain for durability.
- Keep algae/moss off for consistent traction.
Need help choosing the right slip rating?
Pop into our Christchurch showroom or send us a photo of your space — we’ll recommend tiles that look great and perform perfectly.
Talk to an expert✅Summary
- R ratings run R9 (lower grip) to R13 (very high grip).
- PTV 36+ is a good benchmark for wet/public areas.
- Most homes suit R10–R11; outdoors/commercial go R11–R13.