What does AC rating mean?

AC rating stands for Abrasion Class. It is a classification system used to describe surface wear resistance under defined laboratory testing conditions.

Is a higher AC rating always better?

Not necessarily. Higher AC ratings indicate higher abrasion resistance in testing, but they do not describe overall product quality, impact resistance, or structural performance.

Does AC rating apply to all flooring types?

No. AC rating is a specific testing and classification system and is not universally used across all flooring materials.

Is AC rating the same as wear layer thickness?

No. AC rating measures abrasion resistance through testing, while wear layer thickness describes a physical layer dimension. They are different specifications.

AC Rating Explained Abrasion Class • AC1–AC5 • What the Rating Actually Means

AC rating (Abrasion Class) is a standardized system used to describe surface wear resistance under laboratory testing. This page explains what AC ratings measure, how they’re classified, and why they should be read alongside other specifications. Reference-only: no product recommendations.

Quick answer

AC rating is a classification system that describes how resistant a surface is to abrasion under defined test conditions. Higher AC numbers indicate greater abrasion resistance in testing, but the rating does not describe impact resistance, structural strength, or overall product lifespan.

AC Rating Table Explainers FAQ

AC Rating Levels)

AC Rating	Abrasion Class Meaning	Typical Description	Limitations
AC1	Lowest abrasion class	Light-use surface resistance	Does not describe structural durability
AC2	Moderate abrasion class	Moderate surface resistance	Abrasion only, not impact
AC3	Higher abrasion class	Increased wear resistance	Tested under defined lab conditions
AC4	Heavy abrasion class	High surface wear resistance	Not a guarantee of lifespan
AC5	Highest abrasion class	Maximum abrasion resistance rating	Surface-only classification

Quick Explainers

What AC Rating Actually Measures

AC rating measures resistance to surface abrasion using standardized test methods. It evaluates how a surface coating or overlay resists wear from repeated contact, not how the product handles impacts, moisture, or structural loads.

Why AC Rating Is Often Misunderstood

Because AC rating is easy to compare numerically, it’s often treated as a “quality score.” In reality, it describes only one performance dimension and should be read alongside other specs.

AC Rating vs Other Durability Specs

AC rating focuses on abrasion. Other specs—such as wear layer thickness, core construction, and static load resistance— describe different performance characteristics and are not interchangeable.

FAQ

Is AC rating used for vinyl or hardwood flooring? ⌄

AC rating is a specific classification system and is not universally applied across all flooring types. Other materials use different test methods and specifications.

Does AC5 mean the floor is “commercial grade”? ⌄

AC5 indicates high abrasion resistance under testing, but commercial suitability depends on many other factors beyond abrasion class.