A tile box carries more information than most people realise, printed in symbols and abbreviations that are never explained. Once you can read one, you can check in ten seconds that what arrived is what you ordered.
Here is what each part means.
The product name and code
The name is marketing and the code is the fact. Always work from the code, since ranges often share a name across several colours and finishes. The code should match your order exactly, character for character.
The size
Printed as two numbers in centimetres or millimetres, such as 60×120. On rectified tiles this is the actual finished size. On non rectified tiles it is the nominal size and the real tile is very slightly smaller, which is why those need a wider grout joint.
Look for the word rectified or a symbol indicating it, since this changes how the tile is laid.
The thickness
Usually given in millimetres. Around 8 to 10mm is normal for interior floors, 12mm and above for heavy commercial use, and 20mm for outdoor pavers. Thin panels of 3 to 6mm exist for walls and for tiling over existing surfaces.
Check this matches the order, because a different thickness changes the floor level and the trim details.
The batch or shade number
This is the most important number on the box and the one most often ignored. Tiles are fired in production runs and the colour varies very slightly between them.
Every box for one area should carry the same batch number. If a delivery contains two batches, use them in separate rooms rather than mixing them across one floor. Check this before the installer opens the boxes, not after.
The shade variation code
Marked V1 to V4. V1 means tiles are almost identical. V2 means slight variation. V3 means moderate variation, common in stone and timber effects. V4 means substantial variation, chosen deliberately for a natural look.
This tells you how much the tiles in the box will differ from each other, which is different from the batch number telling you how one box compares with another.
The PEI rating
A number from 1 to 5 describing surface wear resistance on glazed tiles. 1 and 2 for walls and light use, 3 for normal residential floors, 4 for light commercial, 5 for heavy commercial traffic.
Unglazed and full body porcelain often carries no PEI figure, which is not a shortcoming since there is no glaze layer to wear.
The slip rating
Shown as an R value from R9 to R13, or as a DCOF figure. R9 for dry interior areas, R10 for most interior commercial floors, R11 for wet areas, R12 and R13 for commercial kitchens and industrial wet zones. A DCOF of 0.42 or above is the common threshold for level floors walked on when wet.
The water absorption class
Sometimes printed as a percentage and sometimes as a group code. Below 0.5 percent means porcelain, which is what you want for wet areas, outdoor use and anywhere that freezes. Higher figures indicate other ceramic types suitable for interior walls and light use.
Frost resistance
Usually a snowflake symbol. Essential for any outdoor application in a climate that freezes, since water absorbed into a tile expands as it freezes.
The quantity and coverage
The box states the number of pieces and the square metres it covers. Multiply the coverage by the number of boxes and compare with your order, including the extra you allowed for cuts.
Weight per box is often shown too, which is useful for planning handling and for checking freight.
Quality grade
Often marked as first quality or grade one. Lower grades exist and are sold openly at lower prices, usually with small cosmetic imperfections. There is nothing wrong with buying a lower grade knowingly. There is a problem with receiving one when you ordered first quality, so check the marking.
Other symbols you may see
An arrow or a directional mark indicating the laying direction for a patterned tile. Cleaning and handling icons. A standards reference such as an EN or ISO number showing which test standard the figures relate to.
A ten second check on delivery
Before anyone opens a box, walk the pallet and check four things. Product code matches the order. Size and thickness match. All boxes share one batch number. Quantity matches the order including your extra.
Those four checks take ten seconds each and prevent the problems that are painful to fix once tiles are on the floor.
Keep one label from the delivery with the project file. Years later, when a repair is needed, that label is how you find the same tile.
If you would like help checking a specification against production before it ships, our team in Foshan does this as part of every order.