Ceramic Arts & Kiln Science
Ceramic Clay Types & Firing Cones Chart
Compare Earthenware, Mid-Fire Stoneware, and Porcelain by pyrometric firing cone, kiln temperature, shrinkage rate, and food-safe vitrification.
Select Ceramic Clay Body:
Pyrometric Firing Specification
Mid-Fire Stoneware (Studio Standard)
Cone 5 – Cone 6Food Safe (Vitrified)
🔥 Kiln Temperature (F & C)
2167°F – 2232°F
(1186°C – 1222°C)📏 Wet-to-Fired Shrinkage
11% – 13%
Plan lid sizes accordingly💧 Water Absorption Rate
1% – 3% (Near full vitrification)
Porosity when unglazed🏺 Throwing & Wheel Workability:The modern community pottery studio workhorse. Highly plastic, forgives centering mistakes on the wheel, holds handles firmly.
🍽️ Typical Fired Products: Everyday coffee mugs, ramen noodle bowls, oven-safe casseroles, dinnerware plates.
⚠️ The Pyrometric 'Cone 06' vs. 'Cone 6' Trap:In ceramic science, numbers with a leading zero are negative-like lower temperatures! Cone 06 fires at ~1828°F (low bisque or earthenware), while Cone 6 (no zero) fires 400 degrees hotter at ~2232°F (stoneware vitrification). Firing an earthenware clay to Cone 6 will literally melt it into an accidental puddle of glass on your kiln shelf!