How much Tin oxide do potters use in a glaze?

Across 1,345 published glaze recipes containing it, the typical amount is 4% of the dry batch, with half of recipes between 2% and 5%. Colorants and additives sit far lower than fluxes and glass formers; treat these as a range to test around, not a target.

What cone is Tin oxide used at?

It appears in recipes across the range; the most common cones among published recipes are cone 6, cone 10, cone 9. Where a material sits depends on the rest of the recipe more than on the material itself.

Is Tin oxide safe to use?

It carries no specific hazard flag beyond the general rule for all dry ceramic materials: avoid breathing the dust and read the supplier's SDS.

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Glaze material · Opacifiers

Tin oxide

Also sold as: stannic oxide

The classic opacifier, about 1.5× as strong as zirconium: a buttery white.

opacifierContributes: SnO₂

In published recipes

Used in 1,345 of 10,859 glaze recipes (12%)

Typical amount when present

4% of the dry batch — half of recipes fall between 2% and 5%.

Fired surface of those recipes

Glossy 64% · Semi-glossy 17% · Matte 10% · Semi-matte 9%

Cones where it appears

Share of recipes containing this material that fire to each cone.

Most often mixed with

Materials that appear in the same recipes most often.

Silica79%Whiting64%EPK40%Bentonite38%Dolomite32%Copper carbonate31%Nepheline syenite28%Zinc oxide27%

Chemistry

Raw formula: SnO₂
Molecular weight: 151
Fired formula: SnO₂
Equivalent weight: 151

From Linda Arbuckle's materials table. Mineral formulas are idealized; buy an analysis for the bag you have. Equivalent weight is the weight that supplies one molecule of the fired oxide — the number glaze calculation uses.

What potters should know

Over about 5% with a little chrome gives pink; with iron, orange to red. High tin may crawl, and it can be refractory at low fire. Historic majolica glazes are tin-opacified; to dodge chrome-tin pinking, keep tin under about 4% and top up with zirconium.

Handling and safety

Dry ceramic materials generate respirable silica dust. Use a NIOSH-approved N95 or P100 respirator and adequate ventilation when mixing dry, and wet-clean surfaces.

This information is provided for planning purposes and is derived from publicly available sources including OSHA regulations, NIOSH guidance, and manufacturer safety data sheets. It does not constitute professional safety advice. Consult your material suppliers' SDS documents and applicable local regulations for authoritative safety guidance.

Questions

How much Tin oxide do potters use in a glaze?: Across 1,345 published glaze recipes containing it, the typical amount is 4% of the dry batch, with half of recipes between 2% and 5%. Colorants and additives sit far lower than fluxes and glass formers; treat these as a range to test around, not a target.
What cone is Tin oxide used at?: It appears in recipes across the range; the most common cones among published recipes are cone 6, cone 10, cone 9. Where a material sits depends on the rest of the recipe more than on the material itself.
Is Tin oxide safe to use?: It carries no specific hazard flag beyond the general rule for all dry ceramic materials: avoid breathing the dust and read the supplier's SDS.

Related materials

Glaze material	recipes	typical
Zircopax	1,098	9.4%
Titanium dioxide	1,036	4.6%

Sources. Usage figures are computed by Claybench over 10,859 glaze recipes compiled from publicly shared community recipe collections (snapshot 2026-02-27) — counts only; no recipe is reproduced, and the figures describe that collection, not every recipe in existence. Material roles and notes are paraphrased from Linda Arbuckle's Ceramic Materials handout unless noted. Hazard notes summarise supplier SDS guidance; read the SDS for the product you buy.

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