Bathrooms
Non-Slip Bathroom Flooring: How to Choose Tile That Isn't Slippery
Tile slip resistance is a published number. Ask for it before you buy, because a floor that looks textured can still be slick when wet.
Written by Sarah Jenkins
Reviewed by Elena Marsh
Updated August 27, 2026
Fact-checked August 27, 2026
3 min read
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Read the number, not the marketing
"Slip resistant" is not a regulated phrase. The useful data is on the manufacturer's technical sheet. In the United States, tile is tested under ANSI A326.3, which produces a DCOF value. A value of 0.42 or above is the commonly cited threshold for interior floors that will be walked on while wet. Higher is better for a bathroom.
Flooring options compared
Traction figures depend on the specific product. Always confirm the manufacturer's published rating for the exact tile you are buying.
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Why tile size and grout matter
- Grout lines sit slightly below the tile face and give water somewhere to go, so the foot contacts tile rather than a film of water.
- A shower floor with 2-inch mosaic has far more grout length per square foot than one with 12-inch tile — that is why mosaics remain standard in showers.
- Epoxy grout resists staining and is easier to keep clean, which matters when there is a lot of it.
- The tradeoff is cleaning: more grout means more scrubbing. On a curbless floor with a linear drain, larger rated tile is a reasonable compromise outside the wettest zone.
What else actually reduces falls
- Keep the floor dry: a bath mat with a rubber backing at the exit point, and a squeegee kept in the shower.
- Grab bars at the shower entry and beside the toilet do more than flooring alone.
- Lighting: a motion-activated night light in the bathroom removes the most common night-time hazard.
- Remove loose throw rugs without non-slip backing; they are a bigger trip hazard than a slick tile.
- A shower seat removes the need to stand on a wet surface at all.
Typical costs
Porcelain tile material
$3 – $15 per sq ft
Mosaic shower floor tile
$8 – $30 per sq ft
Tile installation labor
Higher for small tile and complex layouts
$8 – $20 per sq ft
Sheet vinyl installed
$4 – $10 per sq ft
Anti-slip coating on existing tile
Small bathroom, professionally applied
$150 – $600
Frequently asked questions
What DCOF should a bathroom floor have?
0.42 is the commonly referenced minimum for level interior floors expected to be walked on wet. For a shower floor or a bathroom used by someone at higher fall risk, choose a product rated above that where you can.
Are large-format tiles unsafe in a bathroom?
Not automatically — a large matte tile with a good DCOF can perform well. The risk is with large polished or glossy tiles, which have very little wet traction.
Is vinyl safer than tile?
Textured vinyl generally has decent wet traction, is warmer underfoot, and is more forgiving in a fall. Tile is more durable and waterproof at the seams. Both can work; the rating matters more than the category.
Do anti-slip coatings really work?
They can measurably improve traction on smooth tile, but they wear with cleaning and foot traffic and need reapplication. They are a good interim step, not a permanent substitute for the right flooring.
Keep reading
Sources
- ANSI A326.3 — Dynamic Coefficient of Friction of Hard Surface Flooring Materials — Tile Council of North America
- Check for Safety: A Home Fall Prevention Checklist for Older Adults — U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Sarah Jenkins
Editor, Bathrooms & Remodeling
Sarah writes about accessible bathrooms, remodeling budgets, and the difference between a $6,000 shower and a $22,000 one. She reviews product specifications against real installation constraints and has toured more than fifty accessible remodels in progress.
Covers: Accessible bathrooms · Walk-in tubs · Remodel budgeting · Universal design
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