18 10 flatware vs 18 8 vs 18 0: what the numbers mean

What the two numbers mean

The first number is the approximate percentage of chromium in the steel. The second is the approximate percentage of nickel. So 18/10 stainless steel is about 18% chromium and 10% nickel, 18/8 is about 18% chromium and 8% nickel, and 18/0 is about 18% chromium with no meaningful nickel.

Chromium is what makes stainless steel stainless. It forms a thin invisible layer on the surface that protects the metal underneath. Nickel makes the steel tougher and easier to form, gives it a slightly brighter finish and improves general corrosion resistance, particularly to acids.

18 10 flatware versus 18 8 flatware

These two are closer than the marketing suggests. Both are austenitic stainless steels in the 304 family, and the AISI 304 specification allows a nickel range of roughly 8 to 10.5%. The extra two points of nickel in 18/10 give a little more shine and a little more resistance to staining, and they cost more. For most dining use, a well-finished 18/8 piece and an 18/10 piece perform alike. The 18/10 label tends to appear on premium retail ranges, where the number is part of the sales story.

Where 202 steel fits

Some suppliers offer AISI 202 flatware. 202 is also an austenitic steel, but part of the nickel is replaced by manganese and nitrogen, so its nickel content is much lower than 18/8. It is cheaper than 304 and generally has lower corrosion resistance. It is not an 18/8 steel, and a quotation should say 202 or 304 rather than just stainless steel.

Which grade to specify

Premium retail and gifting: 18/10 or 18/8, where finish and durability back up a higher shelf price.

Hotels and restaurants: 18/8 (304) at a heavier gauge, with a mill test certificate, since the flatware sees dishwashers and salty food daily.

Value ranges: 18/0 can work if the customer understands the trade-off, and washing instructions are clear.

PVD colours: the grade sits under the coating, so it still determines how the piece behaves if the coating is scratched.

Gauge matters as much as grade. A thin 18/10 fork can bend where a thicker 18/8 fork does not, so write thickness in millimetres in the specification.