HVAC Label Guide

Filtrete MPR to MERV Chart

Last updated: 2026-10-30

3M gives each Filtrete air filter two ratings: its own MPR scale and MERV, the industry's filter rating. MPR 300 is MERV 5, MPR 700 is MERV 8 and MPR 1000 is MERV 11. MPR 1500 is MERV 12, MPR 1900 is MERV 13 and MPR 2500 is MERV 14. The pairs come from 3M's Filtrete product pages and its 2025 data sheet for the 700 MPR filter.

MPR stands for Microparticle Performance Rating, a scale 3M uses only for Filtrete filters. MERV, the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, is the industry scale other filter makers print. ASHRAE is an international society of heating, refrigerating and air-conditioning professionals. It publishes Standard 52.2, the test method that defines MERV. Our MERV rating chart shows what each MERV level captures.

Sources: ASHRAE, About; ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 52.2-2017 (read-only PDF), section 12.

Every MPR Rating and Its MERV Rating

Find the MPR number on your Filtrete package or filter frame, then read across for its MERV rating.

Filtrete MPR and MERV Ratings
MPRMERVFiltrete line, as 3M names itSource
MPR 300MERV 5Basic Dust & Lint (1 in)3M product page
MPR 700MERV 8Dust, Pollen & Pet Dander Reduction (1 in)3M product page
MPR 1000MERV 11Allergen Defense (1 in and 2 in)3M product page
MPR 1500MERV 12Allergen, Bacteria & Virus (1 in)3M product page
MPR 1550MERV 12Allergen, Bacteria & Virus (4 in, and 5 in for Lennox whole-house media cabinets)3M product page
MPR 1900MERV 13Premium Allergen, Bacteria & Virus (1 in)3M product page
MPR 2200MERV 13Premium Allergen & Home Pollutants3M product page
MPR 2500MERV 14Premium Allergen & Ultrafine Particles (1 in)3M product page
MPR 2800MERV 14Ultrafine Particle Reduction3M product page

Sources: 3M's Filtrete product page for each line, linked in the table. 3M's regulatory data sheet titles one filter “Filtrete™ Air Filter, 700 MPR (MERV 8)”: 3M regulatory data sheet, 700 MPR (PDF).

Two MPR numbers can share one MERV rating. MPR 1500 and 1550 are both MERV 12. MPR 1900 and 2200 are both MERV 13. MPR 2500 and 2800 are both MERV 14. 3M Canada says MPR shows a filter's ability to capture particles from 0.3 to 1 micron. A micron is a millionth of a meter. The same page adds: “The higher the MPR, the more microparticles … your filter will capture.”

Source: 3M Canada, MPR vs MERV.

What MPR Measures, in 3M's Words

Source: 3M, MPR Rating: the Key to Cleaner Air at Home.

Filtrete Actual Sizes for Common 1-Inch Slots

3M prints the filter's dimensions (height x width x depth) on each Filtrete frame and says the longest side is the width. The nominal size, such as 16x25x1, is the rounded name you order by. The actual size is what the filter measures.

Each 3M product page lists its nominal sizes and its actual sizes as two separate lists. We paired each nominal size with the listed actual size that is up to 0.6 in smaller in both length and width. Where a page lists two possible matches, the cell says so.

Filtrete Actual Sizes, One-Inch Filters
NominalMPR 300 (MERV 5), inMPR 700 (MERV 8), inMPR 1500 (MERV 12), inMPR 1900 (MERV 13), in
14x20x113.81 x 19.81 x 0.81*13.81 x 19.81 x 0.81*13.62 x 19.62 x 0.78*13.62 x 19.62 x 0.78*
16x20x115.69 x 19.69 x 0.81*15.69 x 19.69 x 0.81*15.62 x 19.62 x 0.78 or 15.69 x 19.69 x 0.78 (both listed)*15.62 x 19.62 x 0.78*
16x25x115.69 x 24.69 x 0.81*15.69 x 24.69 x 0.81*15.62 x 24.62 x 0.78*15.62 x 24.62 x 0.78*
20x20x119.69 x 19.69 x 0.81*19.69 x 19.69 x 0.81*19.62 x 19.62 x 0.78*19.62 x 19.62 x 0.78*
20x25x119.69 x 24.69 x 0.81*19.69 x 24.69 x 0.81*19.62 x 24.62 x 0.78*19.62 x 24.62 x 0.78*

*Our match of the two size lists on each 3M product page; 3M does not pair them row by row. Sources: 3M product pages for MPR 300, MPR 700, MPR 1500 and MPR 1900; 3M, What Size Means for Filter Selection.

The 2-inch MPR 1000 filter is 1.75 in deep in each of its four sizes: 15.5 x 19.5, 15.5 x 24.5, 19.5 x 19.5 and 19.5 x 24.5 in, for nominal 16x20, 16x25, 20x20 and 20x25.* The 4-inch MPR 1550 filter is 4.31 in deep in most sizes; see the 20x25x4 page for its 20 x 25 size.

*Our match, as above. Sources: 3M product pages for MPR 1000, 2 in and MPR 1550, 4 in.

How Often 3M Says to Change a Filtrete Filter

3M's Filtrete FAQ gives its own interval for its filters: change 1 in filters “at least every three months” and 4 in and deeper filters “every 12 months.” 3M adds that a home with pets may need changes more often. Other makers' intervals: how often to change your furnace filter.

Source: 3M, Filtrete FAQ.

See also: MERV 13 Filters, What MERV Rating to Use, Nominal vs. Actual Size. MERV Rating Chart.

Sources

  1. 3M, Filtrete MPR 300 Basic Dust & Lint Air Filters (1”) product page (undated): https://www.filtrete.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b10262193/, accessed 2026-10-28
  2. 3M, Filtrete MPR 700 Dust, Pollen & Pet Dander Reduction Air Filters (1”) product page (undated): https://www.filtrete.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b10014744/, accessed 2026-10-28
  3. 3M, Filtrete MPR 1000 Allergen Defense Air Filters, 1” and 2” product pages (undated): https://www.filtrete.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b5005547022/ and https://www.filtrete.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b5005547023/, accessed 2026-10-28
  4. 3M, Filtrete MPR 1500 Allergen, Bacteria & Virus Air Filters (1”) product page (undated): https://www.filtrete.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b10014262/, accessed 2026-10-28
  5. 3M, Filtrete MPR 1550 Allergen, Bacteria & Virus Air Filters (4” and 5” Lennox) product page (undated): https://www.filtrete.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b5005595006/, accessed 2026-10-28
  6. 3M, Filtrete MPR 1900 Premium Allergen, Bacteria & Virus Air Filters (1”) product page (undated): https://www.filtrete.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b00039899/, accessed 2026-10-28
  7. 3M, Filtrete MPR 2200 Premium Allergen & Home Pollutants Air Filters product page (undated): https://www.filtrete.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b00040201/, accessed 2026-10-28
  8. 3M, Filtrete MPR 2500 Premium Allergen & Ultrafine Particles Air Filters (1”) product page (undated): https://www.filtrete.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b10274563/, accessed 2026-10-28
  9. 3M, Filtrete MPR 2800 Ultrafine Particle Reduction Air Filters product page (undated): https://www.filtrete.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b00039984/, accessed 2026-10-28
  10. 3M, Regulatory Data Sheet, Filtrete Air Filter, 700 MPR (MERV 8), issue date 12/24/25 (PDF): https://cdmsweb.3m.com/ingredientcommunication/file/Media/v55iPTGE3f4, accessed 2026-10-28
  11. 3M, MPR Rating: the Key to Cleaner Air at Home (undated page): https://www.filtrete.com/3M/en_US/filtrete/about-us/cleaner-air/, accessed 2026-10-30
  12. 3M Canada, MPR vs MERV (undated page): https://www.filtrete.ca/3M/en_CA/filtrete-ca/about-us/mpr-vs-merv/, accessed 2026-10-28
  13. 3M, What Size Means for Filter Selection (undated page): https://www.filtrete.com/3M/en_US/filtrete/home-tips/full-story/~/filter-selection-does-size-matter/?storyid=20858cd3-5fbe-416d-a66f-62aaeeaa3f67, accessed 2026-10-28
  14. 3M, Filtrete FAQ (undated page): https://www.filtrete.com/3M/en_US/filtrete/about-us/faq/, accessed 2026-10-28
  15. ASHRAE, About ASHRAE (undated page): https://www.ashrae.org/about, accessed 2026-10-28
  16. ASHRAE, ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 52.2-2017, Method of Testing General Ventilation Air-Cleaning Devices (read-only PDF), section 12: https://www.ashrae.org/File%20Library/Technical%20Resources/COVID-19/52_2_2017_COVID-19_20200401.pdf, accessed 2026-10-28