Quick answer: Porcelain and ceramic tile are both fired clay, but porcelain is a denser, less porous type of ceramic. It absorbs less than 0.5 percent water, so it stands up better to moisture, heavy traffic, and outdoor use. Standard ceramic is softer, cheaper, and ideal for walls and lighter-traffic floors. For wet or busy areas, choose porcelain. When you are ready to install, post your job free on Qiggz to get matched with local tile pros.
Walk into any tile aisle and you will see two words over and over: porcelain and ceramic. They look almost the same on the shelf, and a salesperson will happily sell you either one. So what is the actual difference, and does it matter for your bathroom, kitchen, or patio?
It does matter, and the difference is simpler than the marketing makes it sound. Porcelain is just a tougher, denser member of the ceramic family. That single fact drives almost every other tradeoff: water resistance, durability, price, and where each tile belongs.
This guide breaks down what each tile actually is, how they compare head to head, and how to pick the right one for the room you are tiling. Then, when you are ready to lay it, we will show you how to find a local installer without paying lead fees or markups.
What is ceramic tile?
Ceramic tile is made from natural clay that is shaped, glazed, and fired in a kiln. According to This Old House, ceramic is typically fired at temperatures of about 1,800 to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, using a coarser clay than porcelain. The result is a tile that is lighter, a little softer, and easier to cut.
Most ceramic tile carries a glazed surface that gives it color and a layer of protection. It comes in a huge range of styles, sizes, and finishes, and it usually costs less than porcelain. The tradeoff is that ceramic is more porous and not quite as hard, which is why it is generally recommended for indoor use in low to moderate traffic areas.
Think wall tile, kitchen backsplashes, bathroom walls, and floors that do not see heavy daily abuse. In those spots, ceramic delivers excellent value and plenty of durability.
What is porcelain tile?
Porcelain is a type of ceramic, but it is made from a finer, denser clay (often kaolin) and fired at higher temperatures, roughly 2,200 to 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit per This Old House. That hotter firing and denser body make porcelain harder and far less absorbent than standard ceramic.
The defining line is water absorption. To be certified as porcelain, a tile must absorb less than 0.5 percent of its weight in water, a standard recognized across the industry. Standard ceramic absorbs more than that. This is why porcelain is the go-to for showers, bathroom floors, mudrooms, and outdoor patios in mild climates: it shrugs off moisture that would slowly work into a more porous tile.
Porcelain is also rated for hardness on the Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) scale, which runs from 1 to 5. This Old House notes that most porcelain tiles carry a PEI rating of 5, the toughest class, while ceramic tiles typically land somewhere from 1 to 4 depending on the product. The denser body also means porcelain can be made in "through-body" forms, where the color runs all the way through, so a chip is far less noticeable.
The catch is that porcelain is heavier, harder to cut, and more expensive to buy and install. That density that makes it tough also makes it less forgiving to work with, which is one reason a skilled installer earns their fee on a porcelain job.
Porcelain vs ceramic tile: side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Porcelain tile | Ceramic tile |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A denser, finer type of ceramic | Fired clay, glazed |
| Water absorption | Less than 0.5% (certified standard) | More than 0.5%, more porous |
| Firing temperature | ~2,200 to 2,500°F (This Old House) | ~1,800 to 2,000°F (This Old House) |
| Hardness (PEI scale) | Usually PEI 5, the toughest class | Typically PEI 1 to 4 |
| Best uses | Wet areas, high-traffic floors, outdoors (mild climates), showers | Walls, backsplashes, light to moderate-traffic indoor floors |
| Durability | Higher; resists chips, scratches, frost | Good for its intended uses; less suited to heavy abuse |
| Ease of installation | Harder and slower to cut; heavier | Easier to cut and handle |
| Cost | Generally higher | Generally lower |
| Outdoor / freeze use | Yes, in mild climates | Not recommended outdoors |
Sources: This Old House and tile-industry references (see Sources). Specific products vary, so always check the manufacturer's rating for the exact tile you buy.
Which tile should you choose?
The honest answer is that it depends on the room, not on which tile is "better" overall. Here is how to decide quickly.
Choose porcelain if:
- You are tiling a shower, a bathroom floor, a laundry room, or any space that gets wet often. The sub-0.5-percent water absorption is the whole reason porcelain exists.
- The floor sees heavy daily traffic, like an entryway, kitchen, or hallway in a busy household.
- You want tile outdoors on a patio or porch in a climate with mild winters, where freeze resistance matters.
- You want the most durable, longest-lasting option and you are willing to pay more upfront for it.
Choose ceramic if:
- You are tiling walls, a kitchen backsplash, or a bathroom wall surround, where foot traffic and standing water are not concerns.
- You are putting tile on a floor with light to moderate traffic and want to save money.
- You want an easier, often cheaper installation, especially for a smaller DIY-friendly project or a tight budget.
- You love a specific ceramic style and the space does not demand porcelain's extra toughness.
A common and smart approach is to mix the two: porcelain on the floor where durability and water resistance count, and a coordinating ceramic on the walls to save money. A good tile pro can help you match them so the finished room looks intentional.
What about cost?
Porcelain almost always costs more than ceramic, both for the tile itself and to install, because the material is denser, harder to cut, and more labor-intensive to work with. The exact price depends heavily on the tile you pick, the size of the area, your region, and the condition of the surface underneath.
Published price guides give a wide range. This Old House lists ceramic at roughly $3 to $50 per square foot and porcelain at roughly $2 to $45 per square foot for material, with installation labor on top and the higher end of each range reserved for premium lines. Designer and large-format tiles run well above those figures. Because tile pricing varies so much by product and region, treat any single number as a starting point only, and remember that for a comparable everyday tile porcelain usually lands above ceramic once you factor in its harder, more labor-intensive installation.
The most reliable way to budget is to get real quotes for your specific tile and your specific room. Prices vary by region, materials, and scope, so a local pro who can see the job will give you a far more accurate figure than any national average. Post your tile project on Qiggz and compare quotes from local installers for free.
When to hire a pro
Tiling looks straightforward on a video, and a confident DIYer can handle a small, flat ceramic wall or backsplash. But a few situations call for an experienced installer, especially with porcelain.
- Showers and wet areas. Waterproofing behind and beneath the tile is the part that fails when it is done wrong, and a hidden leak can rot framing for months before you notice. This is pro territory.
- Floors, especially porcelain. Floors need a flat, properly prepared substrate, the right thinset, and dead-level setting, or you get lippage, cracks, and loose tiles. Porcelain's hardness also makes it harder to cut cleanly without the right wet saw and blades.
- Large or complex layouts. Diagonal patterns, large-format tile, niches, curbs, and transitions all reward experience.
- Anything structural or over a questionable subfloor. If the surface underneath flexes or is damaged, the tile will not last no matter how well it is set.
A professional tile setter brings the saw, the substrate know-how, and the eye for layout that makes the difference between a floor that lasts decades and one that cracks in a year. If your project involves more than tile, such as a full bathroom remodel, you may also want a carpenter or general contractor for the surrounding work, and a handyman for smaller fixes and prep.
With Qiggz, you post the job, describe the tile and the room, and get matched with local pros. There are no lead fees and no commissions, so the people you talk to are not paying to reach you, and you keep the full relationship.
Safety note: cutting tile produces fine silica dust, which is harmful to breathe. Pros use wet saws and dust control for this reason. If you do cut tile yourself, wear proper respiratory protection and eye protection and follow the tool's safety guidance.
The bottom line
Porcelain and ceramic are close cousins, not rivals. Porcelain is the denser, less porous, tougher option built for water, heavy traffic, and the outdoors. Ceramic is the lighter, more affordable choice that shines on walls and in calmer indoor spaces. Match the tile to the room and you will not go wrong.
Once you have picked your tile, the next step is finding someone who can set it right. Post your tile project free on Qiggz to get matched with local installers, with no lead fees and no markups, so the only thing you pay for is the work itself.
Frequently asked questions
Is porcelain tile better than ceramic tile?
Neither is universally better; they are built for different jobs. Porcelain is denser and absorbs less than 0.5 percent water, so it is the stronger choice for showers, wet rooms, high-traffic floors, and outdoor use. Ceramic is softer and more affordable, which makes it ideal for walls, backsplashes, and lighter-traffic indoor floors. The right pick depends on the room.
What is the real difference between porcelain and ceramic tile?
Porcelain is a type of ceramic made from a finer, denser clay and fired at a higher temperature, roughly 2,200 to 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit versus about 1,800 to 2,000 for ceramic, according to This Old House. That denser body absorbs less water (under 0.5 percent) and is harder and more durable, while standard ceramic is more porous and easier to cut.
Can you use ceramic tile in a shower?
Glazed ceramic wall tile is commonly used on shower walls, but it is more porous than porcelain, so proper waterproofing behind the tile is essential. For shower floors and other areas with standing water, porcelain is the safer choice because of its very low water absorption. A professional installer will set up the right waterproofing either way.
Is porcelain tile more expensive than ceramic?
Yes, porcelain generally costs more than ceramic, both for the material and for installation, because it is denser, harder to cut, and more labor-intensive to set. Exact prices vary widely by product, region, and project, so get local quotes rather than relying on a national average. You can compare quotes for free by posting your job on Qiggz.
Can porcelain or ceramic tile be used outdoors?
Porcelain can be used outdoors in mild climates because its low water absorption helps it resist moisture and frost. Standard ceramic is generally not recommended outdoors, since it absorbs more water and can crack in freeze-thaw conditions. Always confirm a specific tile is rated for outdoor and freeze use before installing it outside.
Do I need a professional to install tile?
Not always. A small, flat ceramic wall or backsplash can be a reasonable DIY project. But showers, floors (especially porcelain), large-format tile, and anything involving waterproofing or an uneven subfloor are best left to a professional, where mistakes are expensive to fix. When in doubt, post the job on Qiggz and get a local pro's input.
Sources
- This Old House, "Ceramic vs. Porcelain Tile: Which Is Better?" (water absorption under 0.5% for porcelain, firing temperatures ~1,800 to 2,000°F ceramic vs ~2,200 to 2,500°F porcelain, PEI ratings, best uses, lifespan): thisoldhouse.com.
- The Tile Shop, "Porcelain vs Ceramic Tile: Which is Better?" (density, water absorption, manufacturing): tileshop.com.
- MSI Surfaces, "The Different Grades of Porcelain Tile" (PEI scale 1 to 5 and what the grades mean): msisurfaces.com.
- This Old House, "Ceramic vs. Porcelain Tile: Which Is Better?" (tile material cost: ceramic roughly $3 to $50 per square foot, porcelain roughly $2 to $45 per square foot, before installation labor): thisoldhouse.com.
- Qiggz "free to post, no lead fees, no commissions, local-matched pros": first-party (Qiggz product), see /about/qiggz.
