If you’ve ever spotted numbers like 18/0, 18/8, 18/10, 304 or 430 on stainless steel kitchenware and thought, “What does all this mean?”, the good news is it’s simpler than it looks.
Stainless steel isn’t just one material. There are many different grades and compositions, each with slightly different characteristics that can make them suited to different uses.
In the kitchen, you’ll commonly come across 18/0 and 18/8 stainless steel, as well as terms like 304 and 430 stainless steel. You may also see 18/10, particularly on cookware and cutlery.
So, what’s the difference? And does one number automatically mean you’re getting “better” stainless steel? Here's all the info you need.
The quick answer
18/0 contains approximately 18% chromium and nominally no nickel, and is commonly associated with 430 stainless steel.
18/8 contains approximately 18% chromium and 8% nickel, and is commonly associated with 304 stainless steel.
18/10 contains approximately 18% chromium and 10% nickel, and is commonly used as a description for stainless steel within the 304 family.
What do stainless steel grades mean?
Stainless steel is a family of iron-based alloys. Chromium is one of the key elements that gives stainless steel its resistance to corrosion.
When enough chromium is present, it helps form a very thin protective layer on the surface of the steel. Different stainless steel grades contain different combinations and proportions of elements, which can affect things like:
- corrosion resistance
- appearance
- magnetism
- formability and manufacturing
- how the material performs in different environments
This is why you might see different stainless steel grades used across bakeware, cookware, cutlery, lunchboxes, food containers and other kitchen products.
What do 18/0, 18/8 and 18/10 stainless steel mean?
The 18/0, 18/8 and 18/10 labels refer to the approximate chromium and nickel content of the stainless steel.
The first number refers to chromium. The second refers to nickel.
- 18/0 stainless steel: approximately 18% chromium and nominally no nickel
- 18/8 stainless steel: approximately 18% chromium and 8% nickel
- 18/10 stainless steel: approximately 18% chromium and 10% nickel
The rest of the stainless steel is predominantly iron, with other elements potentially present depending on the particular grade and specification.
18/0 vs 18/8 vs 18/10 stainless steel
Here’s a simple comparison of the stainless steel grades you’re most likely to come across in the kitchen.
| Stainless steel | Chromium | Nickel | Common grade association | Key characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18/0 | Approx. 18% | Nominally 0% | 430 | Good corrosion resistance, magnetic, little or no intentionally added nickel |
| 18/8 | Approx. 18% | Approx. 8% | 304 | Excellent corrosion resistance, widely used in kitchenware |
| 18/10 | Approx. 18% | Approx. 10% | Often within the 304 family | Excellent corrosion resistance, commonly seen in cookware and cutlery |
There can be variations within each designation, so these numbers are best understood as useful shorthand rather than an exact recipe for every stainless steel product.
Is 18/8 stainless steel the same as 304?
18/8 is commonly used to describe 304 stainless steel.
The term 18/8 describes its approximate chromium and nickel composition, while 304 refers to the stainless steel grade.
So if you see a product described as 18/8 (304) stainless steel, those terms aren’t necessarily describing two different materials. They’re providing two ways of identifying the stainless steel being used.
Grade 304 is one of the most widely used stainless steels and is commonly found in kitchenware, food preparation equipment and food storage products.
Is 18/0 stainless steel the same as 430?
18/0 is commonly associated with grade 430 stainless steel.
Grade 430 is a ferritic stainless steel containing chromium with little or no intentionally added nickel. It has good corrosion resistance and is magnetic, which makes it useful for a range of applications.
At The Low Tox Project, you’ll find both 18/0 (430) and 18/8 (304) stainless steel across our range, depending on the product and its design.
What does chromium do in stainless steel?
Chromium is one of the key elements responsible for stainless steel’s corrosion resistance.
When chromium in stainless steel is exposed to oxygen, it forms an extremely thin protective chromium-rich oxide layer on the surface. This protective layer can reform when oxygen is available if the surface is damaged.
It’s one of the reasons stainless steel is such a useful material for products designed to be washed and used again and again.
What does nickel do in stainless steel?
Nickel is used in many stainless steel alloys, including 304 stainless steel. It can help improve corrosion resistance and contributes to the properties and structure of the finished steel. Nickel-containing grades like 304 are also highly formable, making them useful for manufacturing many different types of products.
The addition of nickel is one of the main differences between 18/8 and 18/0 stainless steel. But that doesn’t automatically make one a better choice than the other. They’re different materials with different characteristics.
Is 18/8 better than 18/0 stainless steel?
Not necessarily.
18/8 (304) stainless steel generally offers greater corrosion resistance than 18/0 (430) stainless steel, particularly in more demanding environments.
But 18/0 has useful characteristics of its own. It is magnetic, contains little or no intentionally added nickel and can be well suited to particular products and manufacturing processes.
The stainless steel grade is also only one part of a finished product. Its construction, thickness, design, manufacturing quality, intended use and care can all affect how it performs.
Rather than asking which stainless steel grade is universally “best”, a more useful question is: is this material suitable for what this particular product needs to do?
What about 18/10 stainless steel?
You’ll often see 18/10 stainless steel mentioned on cookware and cutlery.
It’s easy to assume that 18/10 must automatically be better than 18/8 because 10 is higher than 8, but stainless steel classifications aren’t quite that straightforward.
Both 18/8 and 18/10 can be used as descriptions for stainless steels within the 304 family, depending on the specific composition and how the material is described.
So don’t use the difference between “8” and “10” as the only measure of a product’s quality. The complete product, its construction and intended use matter too.
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Why is some stainless steel magnetic?
Grab a magnet and try it on a few different stainless steel products around your kitchen. You may find that it sticks strongly to some but barely at all to others.
That doesn’t mean one of them isn’t “real” stainless steel.
Why the difference?
430 stainless steel is ferritic and generally magnetic.
304 stainless steel is austenitic and generally considered non-magnetic, although manufacturing processes can sometimes cause it to show some magnetic response.
So, the magnet test isn’t a reliable way to determine whether something is “good” stainless steel. It may simply help indicate what type of stainless steel you’re dealing with. Read more about stainless steel magnetism here.
Can stainless steel rust?
Yes. Despite the name, stainless steel is highly resistant to corrosion, but it isn’t completely immune to it.
Its performance can depend on the grade, environment, exposure to things like salt and chlorides, surface contamination and how the product is cared for.
For everyday kitchenware, following the recommended care instructions and avoiding prolonged exposure to harsh conditions can help keep stainless steel looking and performing its best.
And if you notice small rust-coloured marks on stainless steel, it doesn’t necessarily mean the product itself is rusting. Surface contamination from other metals can also leave rust-coloured deposits.
What about 316 or marine grade stainless steel?
You may also come across 316 stainless steel, often referred to as “marine grade” stainless steel.
Like 304, 316 contains chromium and nickel, but it also contains molybdenum. This gives it greater resistance to corrosion in environments where salt and chlorides are present, which is why it’s commonly used in marine, coastal and some industrial applications.
For everyday kitchenware, grades like 304 and 430 are well suited to the job they need to do and don't require 'marine grade' qualifiers... unless you're cooking on a boat!
Which stainless steel grade is best for kitchenware?
There’s no single stainless steel grade that every kitchen product needs to be made from. A food storage container, baking pan, saucepan and piece of cutlery aren’t manufactured in exactly the same way or exposed to exactly the same conditions.
Rather than looking for one magic stainless steel number, consider:
- whether the manufacturer clearly identifies the material
- whether the stainless steel is suitable for the product’s intended use
- the overall design and construction of the product
- how the product needs to be cared for
- whether the characteristics of that particular grade matter to you
Knowing what you’re buying is more useful than assuming the highest number must be the best option.
Why does The Low Tox Project use both 18/0 and 18/8 stainless steel?
Across The Low Tox Project range, we use different stainless steel grades depending on the product. You’ll find both 18/8 (304) stainless steel and 18/0 (430) stainless steel in our range.
When we’re sourcing or developing a product, we look at the whole picture: what the product needs to do, how it needs to be formed and manufactured, how it will be used and which material is appropriate for that particular design.
We don’t believe choosing stainless steel needs to become another thing to overthink. Instead, we want to be transparent about the materials we use and give you enough information to understand them, so you can decide what works for your kitchen.
Stainless steel grades: the simple version
18/0 → approximately 18% chromium with nominally no nickel. Commonly associated with 430 stainless steel.
18/8 → approximately 18% chromium and 8% nickel. Commonly associated with 304 stainless steel.
18/10 → approximately 18% chromium and 10% nickel. Commonly used as a description for stainless steel within the 304 family.
304 → a widely used austenitic stainless steel known for excellent corrosion resistance.
430 → a ferritic, magnetic stainless steel with good corrosion resistance and little or no intentionally added nickel.
What's important to note: Stainless steel grade matters, but it isn’t the only thing that determines the quality or suitability of a finished product. Understanding what those numbers mean simply gives you one more piece of information when deciding what’s right for your kitchen.
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Frequently asked questions about stainless steel grades
Is 18/8 stainless steel good for kitchenware?
18/8 stainless steel is widely used for kitchenware and food-related applications. It’s commonly associated with grade 304 stainless steel and offers excellent corrosion resistance.
Is 18/0 stainless steel good for kitchenware?
18/0 stainless steel is also used for a range of kitchen products. It’s commonly associated with grade 430, which offers good corrosion resistance and is magnetic. Whether a particular material is appropriate depends on the product, its construction and how it will be used.
Is 18/8 stainless steel the same as 304?
18/8 is commonly used as a description for 304 stainless steel. The 18/8 terminology refers to the approximate chromium and nickel content, while 304 is the grade designation.
Is 18/0 stainless steel the same as 430?
18/0 is commonly associated with grade 430 stainless steel, a ferritic stainless steel containing chromium with little or no intentionally added nickel.
Is 18/10 better than 18/8 stainless steel?
Not necessarily. The numbers shouldn’t be treated as a simple quality ranking. 18/8 and 18/10 can both be used in relation to stainless steels within the 304 family. The quality and suitability of a product depend on more than its nickel percentage.
Is 18/0 stainless steel magnetic?
Yes. 18/0 stainless steel associated with grade 430 is generally magnetic.
Is 18/8 stainless steel magnetic?
304/18/8 stainless steel is generally considered non-magnetic, although manufacturing processes like cold working can sometimes cause it to show some magnetic response.
Does stainless steel contain nickel?
Some stainless steel grades contain nickel, while others contain little or no intentionally added nickel. For example, 304/18/8 stainless steel contains nickel, while 430/18/0 stainless steel generally contains little or no intentionally added nickel.
Can stainless steel rust?
Stainless steel is highly corrosion resistant, but it isn’t completely immune to rust or staining. The grade, environment, surface contamination and care of the product can all affect corrosion resistance.
What do the numbers on stainless steel mean?
Numbers like 18/0, 18/8 and 18/10 generally describe the approximate percentages of chromium and nickel in the stainless steel. Numbers like 304 and 430 are grade designations used to identify particular stainless steel compositions and properties.
