MERV vs MPR vs FPR: How to Compare Furnace Filter Ratings
MERV vs MPR vs FPR: MERV is ASHRAE's standard scale, MPR is Filtrete's and FPR is The Home Depot's. How brands map their own ratings, and why to compare by MERV.
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Compare furnace filters by MERV. MERV is the industry scale from ASHRAE Standard 52.2, which EPA describes as reporting a filter's ability to capture particles between 0.3 and 10 microns on a 1 to 16 scale. MPR (Microparticle Performance Rating) is 3M's proprietary scale for Filtrete filters, and FPR (Filter Performance Rating) is The Home Depot's; EPA's technical summary calls both proprietary rating systems.
The reliable conversion is the one the brand prints itself. Filtrete's listings pair MPR 1000 with MERV 11, MPR 1500 with MERV 12 and MPR 1900 with MERV 13, so the Filtrete MPR 1900 is a MERV 13 filter. Third-party charts disagree with each other, as the examples below show.
MERV vs MPR vs FPR at a glance
| MERV | MPR | FPR | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who sets it | ASHRAE Standard 52.2 (industry standard) | 3M, for Filtrete | The Home Depot, for brands it sells |
| Scale | 1 to 16 | Numbers such as 1000, 1500 and 1900 | Proprietary numbering |
| What it reports | Capture in three bands: 0.3 to 1, 1 to 3, 3 to 10 µm | Filtrete describes capture of microparticles of 0.3 to 1 µm | Proprietary |
| Use in EPA guidance | EPA advises at least MERV 13 | Proprietary (EPA) | Proprietary (EPA) |
MERV: the common language
EPA's MERV table sets minimum capture for each band. MERV 13, for example, must capture at least 50% of 0.3 to 1 micron particles, 85% of 1 to 3 microns and 90% of 3 to 10 microns. Because it is a published standard, MERV is the only rating that lets you compare across brands. See MERV ratings explained.
MPR: Filtrete's scale, mapped by Filtrete
| Filtrete MPR | MERV, per Filtrete | Filtrete's stated 0.3 to 1 µm capture |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 11 | Not stated on the listing |
| 1500 | 12 | 54% |
| 1900 | 13 | 62% |
| 2500 | 14 | Not compared |
Filtrete's listings tie MPR to microparticles of 0.3 to 1 micron, the smallest band in the MERV test. Because recent Filtrete packaging and listings print MERV next to MPR, you can compare Filtrete with any other brand by MERV directly.
Why third-party conversions disagree
Other brands publish their own MPR comparisons, and they do not line up. Nordic Pure's listing says its MERV 13 filter is equivalent to MPR 2200 to 2400. Aerostar's listing says its MERV 13 is comparable to MPR 1500 to 1900 and FPR 10. Filtrete itself labels MPR 1900 as MERV 13. Those are three different MPR ranges for the same MERV, which is why we use only the rating each brand assigns to its own product.
FPR: The Home Depot's scale
FPR is used on filters sold through The Home Depot, including Honeywell Home brand filters, and EPA's technical summary lists it as a proprietary rating. We could not find an official FPR-to-MERV table from The Home Depot, and third-party charts vary. Check the box or product page for a printed MERV rating; Honeywell's current 1-inch filters on Amazon carry MERV in their titles, for example MERV 13 on its Allergen Control line.
Which to trust
- MERV printed by the maker, from ASHRAE 52.2 testing.
- The brand's own MPR or FPR-to-MERV pairing printed on the product.
- Third-party charts only as a rough guide; they conflict.
Who should buy which
- Filtrete (MPR) if you want 3M's stated fine-particle percentages and app reminders; use the MERV on the package to compare.
- Nordic Pure and other MERV-rated brands if you want a direct MERV label and multipacks.
- Home Depot FPR filters if you shop there; look for the MERV equivalent printed on the package.
For brand-by-brand comparison, see Filtrete vs Honeywell vs Nordic Pure; for picks, the best HVAC filters.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between MERV, MPR and FPR?
MERV is ASHRAE's industry-standard 1 to 16 scale. MPR is 3M's proprietary scale for Filtrete, and FPR is The Home Depot's proprietary scale. EPA's guidance is written in MERV.
What MPR equals MERV 13?
Filtrete labels its MPR 1900 filter as MERV 13. Other brands' charts give different MPR ranges for MERV 13, so use the MERV Filtrete prints on its own product.
What FPR equals MERV 13?
We found no official Home Depot conversion table. Third-party charts often pair FPR 10 with MERV 13, but check the MERV printed on the specific product.
Is MPR 1500 the same as MERV 12?
Filtrete's own listings label MPR 1500 as MERV 12, with a stated 54% capture of 0.3 to 1 micron particles.
Why do conversion charts disagree?
MPR and FPR are proprietary scales with their own tests, so any MERV conversion is an approximation. Nordic Pure, for instance, says its MERV 13 equals MPR 2200 to 2400, while Filtrete labels MPR 1900 as MERV 13.
Which rating should I use to compare filters?
MERV, because it is a published standard and the scale EPA uses. EPA advises at least MERV 13 or as high as your system accommodates.
Sources
- What is a MERV rating?, US Environmental Protection Agency
- Residential Air Cleaners: A Technical Summary (3rd edition), US Environmental Protection Agency
- Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home, US Environmental Protection Agency
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