How to Find a Toilet's MaP Rating Before You Buy

Why the MaP Score Matters

A MaP rating, short for Maximum Performance, is one of the most useful numbers on a toilet spec sheet. It comes from a standardized flush test, and it tells you how much test media the toilet cleared in a single flush. Because it is an official testing result rather than a marketing claim, it is the first thing to look for when you compare models. If you are new to the term, read MaP testing explained before you start shopping.

The score is not the only measure of a good flush. Bowl cleaning, drainline waste transport and waste extraction all matter, and the EPA says WaterSense labeled toilets are independently certified to meet its criteria for both performance and efficiency. The EPA also notes that toilets account for nearly 30 percent of an average home's indoor water consumption, so flush performance and water efficiency belong on the same checklist.

Where to Look on the Spec Sheet

The most reliable place for a MaP score is the manufacturer's official specification sheet, sometimes called a spec sheet or rough-in sheet. Makers that commission MaP testing usually place the result in a performance section near the flush volume. Search the page or document for the words 'MaP score' or 'MaP testing'; the figure may appear as a single number or as a number with the test protocol.

On many product pages, the score is hidden in a downloadable PDF rather than in the main description. Check tabs or sections named 'Specifications', 'Downloads', 'Resources' or 'Documents'. If the PDF is available, open it and search for 'MaP' or 'performance'. Some makers also print the score on the carton or on a label attached to the tank; that version is less useful before you buy, but it can confirm the same number when the toilet arrives. For help reading the rest of the sheet, see how to read toilet specs.

How MaP Scores Are Listed

MaP results are usually printed as a whole number, and a higher number means the toilet cleared more test media in the standardized test. You do not need to memorize a passing threshold; the more practical move is to compare scores among models that use the same test protocol. A score from one protocol is not directly comparable to a score from another, so keep the test method in mind.

On a dual-flush toilet, the maker may list separate numbers for the full-flush mode and the reduced-flush mode. The reduced-flush score matters if you expect to use that mode most of the time. If the maker lists only one number, ask which flush mode it applies to before you treat it as the model's overall score.

Sometimes a maker publishes a phrase instead of a number, such as 'MaP score: pass'. That phrase is less informative, and it should push you to look for a numeric result or an independent certification. For more on how to weigh performance data, read toilet flush performance beyond MaP and MaP score versus MAPEX score.

When the Brand Does Not Publish a Score

Not every maker publishes a MaP score. The brand may still produce a good toilet, but you cannot compare its flush performance with the same confidence. Start by checking the official spec sheet and every download tab; if the number is genuinely absent, you have several reasonable options.

First, contact the maker's customer service or technical support and ask for the MaP report for the exact model you are considering. Many companies will send the current testing document by email. If the toilet is dual-flush, ask which flush mode the score covers. Second, look for independent certification clues. A WaterSense label means the toilet has been independently certified to EPA's performance and efficiency criteria, which include waste extraction testing. The EPA says those criteria have been adopted into the ASME A112.19.2/CSA B45.1 standard, so a product that states it meets that standard has at least satisfied a recognized performance baseline.

Third, fall back on comparable specifications. If you cannot find a score, compare flush volume, trapway size, bowl water surface area and, for dual-flush models, the reduced flush volume. Reading toilet certification labels can help you understand which independent marks matter. If the brand will not answer and the model carries no certification, the safest move is to choose a toilet with a published score.

Using WaterSense and EPA Tools as a Backup

If a manufacturer does not list a MaP score, you can use the EPA WaterSense product search to narrow your options. The WaterSense program maintains a searchable list of labeled toilets, and you can filter by model and compare products that carry the label. The label does not replace a MaP number, but it tells you that the model passed the WaterSense performance requirements.

According to the EPA, WaterSense labeled toilets use 1.28 gallons per flush or less while providing equal or superior performance, which is 20 percent less than the current federal standard of 1.6 gallons per flush. Older inefficient toilets can use as much as 6 gallons per flush. The agency also reports that the average American family uses more than 300 gallons of water per day at home, so flush volume is a meaningful part of the buying decision. For the basics of flush volume, see WaterSense toilet certification, what is GPF and toilet flush volume guide.

The search tool is a shortlist generator, not a MaP database. Once you have a handful of labeled models, return to each maker's spec page for the MaP score and any additional performance notes.

Build Your Checklist Before You Buy

A published MaP score is one data point, not the whole decision. Pair it with the details that affect installation and daily use: rough-in size, bowl shape, seat height, flush type and water use. A toilet that flushes well but does not fit your bathroom is still the wrong toilet. Use how to measure rough-in and toilet seat height guide to confirm fit before you order.

For most rooms, a model with a WaterSense label and a published MaP score is the lowest-risk combination. If you prefer a dual-flush toilet, confirm that the maker gives a score for the reduced-flush mode. If you prefer a one-piece or wall-hung model, check whether the maker documents performance the same way. Then compare your short list side by side on flush type, bowl shape, seat height, trapway size and bowl water surface area.

The right time to look up a MaP score is before you buy, not after installation. If the score is public, the model is likely well documented. If it is missing and the maker is not responsive, that is your answer: choose a model with a published score and an independent certification.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Is a MaP score the same as a WaterSense label?

No. MaP is a standardized flush performance test, while WaterSense is an EPA program that independently certifies toilets for performance and efficiency. A toilet can have either one without the other. See WaterSense toilet certification for the details.

Where is a MaP score usually printed?

The official spec sheet is the primary place. Look in the performance section near the flush volume, and check any downloadable PDF under tabs like 'Specifications' or 'Documents'. A carton label may confirm the score later.

Do dual-flush toilets have more than one MaP score?

They can. Makers may list a full-flush score and a reduced-flush score. If only one number is shown, ask which flush mode it applies to before you compare it with another model.

What should I do if a brand will not tell me the MaP score?

Ask customer service for the official test report. If no report exists, rely on a WaterSense label as an independent performance marker, compare other specifications, or choose a model with a published score.

Can the EPA product search show me the MaP rating?

The EPA WaterSense search tells you which toilets are labeled, but it does not list MaP scores. Use it to build a shortlist of certified models, then check each maker's spec sheet for the score.

Is MaP the only flush performance test?

No. WaterSense performance criteria include bowl surface cleaning, drainline waste transport and waste extraction, and the EPA says the criteria have been adopted into the ASME A112.19.2/CSA B45.1 standard. MaP is one useful indicator, not the whole story.

Does a higher MaP score guarantee a clog-free toilet?

No single score can guarantee real-world results. A higher score means the toilet cleared more test media in the standardized test, but installation, drainline condition and what you flush still affect performance.