The Martindale rub test measures a fabric's resistance to abrasion and helps indicate whether it is suitable for decorative use, occasional seating, everyday domestic upholstery or heavier contract use. As a practical guide, fabrics below 10,000 rubs are generally decorative, 15,000-25,000 rubs commonly cover general domestic upholstery, and 30,000 or more is often considered for heavy domestic or contract seating. Always follow the intended use stated for the individual fabric.
If you are buying upholstery fabric by the metre, the Martindale result is one of the most useful specifications to compare. It is not, however, a complete measure of quality and it does not replace cleaning, fire-performance or project-specific requirements.
Reviewed and updated by The Millshop Online fabric team: August 2026.
What is the Martindale rub test?
During a Martindale test, a fabric specimen is rubbed in a controlled repeating motion against a standard abrasive surface. It is inspected at set intervals until a defined endpoint, such as specimen breakdown or an unacceptable change in appearance, is reached. The result is reported as a number of rubs or cycles.
The laboratory method is covered by the ISO 12947 series. The number is useful for comparing abrasion performance, but real furniture is also affected by construction, seams, body oils, cleaning, sunlight, spills and how the piece is used.
Martindale rub count guide
The following ranges are a practical shopping guide rather than universal pass or fail limits. Manufacturers, testing laboratories and contract specifications can group the figures differently.
| Martindale result | Typical use | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Below 10,000 rubs | Decorative or very light use | Cushions, panels and furniture that is rarely used |
| 10,000-15,000 rubs | Light domestic use | Bedroom chairs and occasional seating |
| 15,000-25,000 rubs | General domestic use | Many everyday chairs, footstools and sofas |
| 25,000-30,000 rubs | Heavy domestic use | Busy family seating and frequently used dining chairs |
| 30,000+ rubs | Heavy domestic or potential contract use | Hospitality, office and other high-use seating, subject to the full specification |
A fabric reaching a particular range should still be described by the supplier as suitable for the intended furniture. For example, a 20,000-rub curtain-only fabric should not automatically be treated as an upholstery fabric if the construction and product specification do not approve that use.
What rub count do you need for a sofa?
For a sofa used regularly at home, start with fabric clearly approved for general domestic upholstery. A result within or above the 15,000-25,000 range is commonly associated with general domestic use, while a busy family sofa may benefit from a higher result and a tightly constructed fabric.
Rub count is only one part of the decision. A sofa also needs an appropriate handle, stable construction and suitable care guidance. Our sofa and dining-chair upholstery guide compares these practical requirements in more detail.
What rub count do you need for dining chairs?
Daily dining chairs receive concentrated wear on a relatively small seat area. General or heavy domestic upholstery fabric is therefore a sensible starting point. Also consider spills, cleaning instructions, colour and pattern: a stable weave or small-scale pattern can be practical where chairs are used frequently.
Occasional formal dining chairs may not need the same abrasion level as chairs used for every meal, homework and home working. Choose for the actual household rather than the furniture name alone.
Does 30,000 rubs mean a fabric is contract suitable?
Not by itself. A result of 30,000 rubs or more is often considered for heavier use, but a contract project may also specify fire performance, seam strength, colour fastness, pilling, cleaning, composition or a particular test standard. The complete product documentation and the project specification take priority over a single number.
If fire safety is part of the brief, read our domestic and contract fire-retardant fabric guide and compare products in the fire-retardant fabric collection.
Is a higher Martindale result always better?
No. A higher result indicates greater resistance in that laboratory abrasion test, but it does not guarantee that the fabric is better for every project. A softer fabric with a suitable domestic rating may drape and upholster a curved occasional chair more successfully than a very stiff heavy-duty fabric.
A result of 45,000 rubs should not be interpreted as proof that a fabric will last exactly twice as long as one rated at 22,500. Furniture shape, household use, maintenance and exposure can change real-world wear considerably.
What the Martindale test does not tell you
- Cleanability: the test does not show how easily a stain can be removed.
- Fire performance: abrasion resistance and fire-retardant performance are separate specifications.
- Resistance to pet claws: snagging and sharp claws are not represented by an ordinary Martindale result.
- Colour fastness: a durable surface can still fade if the colour is not suited to strong sunlight.
- Pilling: pilling and fuzzing can be assessed separately, even where related test equipment is used.
- Seam performance: the way a fabric behaves around seams, corners and tension points also matters.
How to compare two upholstery fabrics
- Confirm that both products are approved for the intended upholstery use.
- Compare their Martindale results and stated domestic or contract category.
- Check composition, weight, weave and handle.
- Read the cleaning and care instructions.
- Check fire performance separately where the project requires it.
- Order samples and assess colour, texture and flexibility in the room.
For frequently used furniture, browse heavy duty upholstery fabric and woven upholstery fabric with clear intended-use information.
Frequently asked questions
Is 20,000 Martindale rubs enough for a sofa?
It is commonly within the general domestic range and can be suitable when the product is specifically approved for sofa upholstery. For a particularly busy household, compare it with higher-rated options and check the full specification.
Is 30,000 rubs suitable for commercial seating?
It can be a useful starting point, but commercial and hospitality projects may require additional performance and certification. Confirm every requirement with the project specifier.
Does a high rub count make fabric feel rough?
No. Abrasion resistance and handle are different qualities. High-performing upholstery fabrics can be smooth, textured, woven or velvet.
Can I use Martindale results to compare curtain fabrics?
The figure can describe abrasion resistance, but curtains are chosen more for drape, weight, colour fastness and light exposure. Only use a curtain fabric on furniture when the product is also approved for upholstery.
The Martindale rub test is a valuable comparison tool, not a complete buying decision. Match the result to the supplier's intended use, then consider construction, care, fire performance, colour and the way the furniture will be used.
