# 304 stainless steel equivalents

304 stainless steel is nearest to EN 1.4301 (X5CrNi18-10), JIS SUS304 and China GB 06Cr19Ni10. These are nearest equivalents, not identical grades: the governing standard or mill certificate decides.

| System | Designation |
|---|---|
| AISI / ASTM / SAE | 304 |
| EN steel name | X5CrNi18-10 |
| EN steel number | 1.4301 |
| JIS | SUS304 |
| China GB | 06Cr19Ni10 |

Family: Austenitic stainless

## What it is

The standard austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steel and the most widely used stainless grade. It is non-magnetic in the annealed condition, can become slightly magnetic after cold work, and cannot be hardened by heat treatment, only by cold working.

## Typical uses

Food, dairy and brewing equipment, sinks and catering equipment, tanks, architectural trim, general sheet-metal fabrication and A2 stainless fasteners.

## Machining notes

Work-hardens quickly. Keep the tool cutting with sharp edges, positive rake and a steady feed; never let it dwell or rub. Chips are stringy, so use chip breakers and plenty of coolant.

## Related grades

- 304L stainless steel (1.4307): Low-carbon version for welded parts
- 316 stainless steel (1.4401): Adds molybdenum for chloride resistance
- 303 stainless steel (1.4305): Free-machining version with sulphur
- 321 stainless steel (1.4541): Titanium-stabilised for heat exposure
- 201 stainless steel (1.4372): Lower-nickel, lower-cost alternative

Equivalents are nearest matches, not identical grades. The governing standard or mill certificate decides.

## FAQ

**What is the European equivalent of 304 stainless steel?**
The nearest EN grade is 1.4301, steel name X5CrNi18-10.

**What is the JIS equivalent of 304 stainless steel?**
The nearest Japanese grade is SUS304.

**What is the Chinese GB equivalent of 304 stainless steel?**
The nearest Chinese GB grade is 06Cr19Ni10.

**Is 1.4301 the same as 304?**
1.4301 (X5CrNi18-10) is the nearest European equivalent of 304, not an identical grade. Composition limits and required properties differ in detail, so check the governing standard or the mill certificate when it matters.

**What is 304 used for?**
Food, dairy and brewing equipment, sinks and catering equipment, tanks, architectural trim, general sheet-metal fabrication and A2 stainless fasteners.

Source page: https://machinistcharts.com/material/304-stainless/
Updated: 2026-10-06
Publisher: MachinistCharts (https://machinistcharts.com)