What is the difference between EN 131 and ANSI ladder ratings?

EN 131 is the European standard, expressing duty as Class I (industrial), II (trade) and III (domestic). ANSI A14 is the US standard, using Type IAA, IA, I, II and III. They are separate systems with different load points, so a ladder is certified to one or the other.

What does the maximum load include?

The rated load is the total weight the ladder must safely support, including the user, their clothing, tools and any materials being carried. Always stay under the rating with a safe margin.

Is EN 131 Class III safe for trade use?

No. Class III is the lightest domestic rating at 95 kg and is intended for occasional household tasks. Trade and professional work should use Class II or, for heavy industrial duty, Class I.

What is ANSI Type IAA?

Type IAA is the heaviest US duty rating at 375 lb (170 kg), intended for extra-heavy industrial use. It sits above Type IA (300 lb) and Type I (250 lb).

Does this tool store anything?

No. It is a static reference that runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you type is uploaded, logged or stored.

Ladder Safety Class Reference

Email me this result

Get this tool's output sent to your inbox, plus one useful tool a week. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Reading ladder duty ratings

A ladder’s duty rating tells you the maximum total weight it is certified to carry, and the kind of work it is built for. Europe and the UK use the EN 131 classes (I, II, III), while the US uses the ANSI A14 types (IAA, IA, I, II, III). The two systems are independent, so a ladder is rated under one or the other — never both.

How it works

The rating is a structural limit set by the manufacturer when the ladder is tested to the relevant standard. The load it quotes is the combined weight of the user plus everything they carry: clothes, tools and materials. Choosing a class above your real working weight gives a safety margin and reduces wear.

This reference lists each EN 131 class and ANSI type with its rated load in both kilograms and pounds, and the use case it is intended for. The search box filters every column at once.

Tips and example

A 90 kg tradesperson carrying 10 kg of tools needs at least 100 kg of capacity, so EN 131 Class III (95 kg) is too light — Class II (115 kg) or Class I (150 kg) is correct. For the US equivalent, that same load suits ANSI Type I (250 lb) or heavier. Always check the duty label riveted to the stile before climbing.