Pottery Clay Types Guide

Choosing the right clay is the first decision every potter makes — and it affects everything from throwing ease to firing temperature to final strength. Here's what you need to know about stoneware, earthenware, porcelain, and raku clay.

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Why Clay Choice Matters

Not all clay is the same. Each type fires at different temperatures, handles differently on the wheel, and produces different results. Using the wrong clay for your kiln or your project leads to cracking, warping, or pieces that don't survive firing.

Stephen Jepson has worked with every major clay body across five decades of professional pottery. His video lessons show you how each clay behaves — on the wheel, in the kiln, and in your hands.

The Four Main Clay Types

Best for Beginners

Stoneware

The most popular pottery clay. Fires at cone 6-10 (2200-2400°F). Strong, dense, waterproof when fired. Forgiving on the wheel with good plasticity. Colors range from buff to brown to grey. Food-safe when properly glazed. The clay most pottery studios stock.

Low-Fire

Earthenware

Fires at cone 06-1 (1800-2100°F). Stays porous even after firing — must be glazed to hold water. Terra cotta is the most common earthenware. Very plastic and easy to shape. Bright, warm colors. Great for decorative pieces, planters, and tiles.

Advanced

Porcelain

The most refined clay. Fires at cone 6-12 (2200-2400°F). Pure white, translucent when thin, incredibly smooth. But it's difficult — low plasticity, collapses easily, zero tolerance for uneven walls. Beautiful results reward the patience required to master it.

Specialty

Raku Clay

Engineered for thermal shock. Contains high grog content (ground fired clay particles) so it can survive being pulled red-hot from a kiln. Open, coarse texture. Not food-safe. Used exclusively for the dramatic raku firing process with its metallic and crackle glazes.

Choosing Clay for Your Project

Clay Properties Compared

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best clay for beginner potters?
Stoneware is the best clay for beginners. It's forgiving on the wheel, holds its shape well, fires to a durable finish, and is food-safe when glazed. Most pottery classes use stoneware because it tolerates beginner handling without cracking or warping easily.
What is the difference between stoneware and earthenware?
Stoneware fires at higher temperatures (2200-2400°F / cone 6-10) and becomes vitrified — dense and waterproof even without glaze. Earthenware fires lower (1800-2100°F / cone 06-1), stays porous, and must be glazed to hold water. Stoneware is stronger; earthenware is easier to work with at lower temperatures.
Is porcelain hard to work with?
Yes — porcelain is the most difficult clay to throw. It has less plasticity, collapses easier on the wheel, and has very low tolerance for uneven thickness. But the results are beautiful: translucent, bright white, and incredibly smooth. Most instructors recommend mastering stoneware first.
What clay is used for raku pottery?
Raku clay contains a high percentage of grog (ground fired clay) to withstand thermal shock. The raku process involves pulling red-hot pieces from the kiln and placing them in combustible materials — standard clay would crack from the rapid temperature change. Look for clay labeled 'raku body' at your supplier.
Can you mix different types of clay?
Mixing clays with different shrinkage rates causes cracking. If both clays fire to the same temperature and have similar shrinkage, they can be blended. In practice, most potters stick with one clay body and learn it deeply rather than mixing types.