Is My Pan Induction Compatible? (Checker by Brand)
Search your cookware brand and model to instantly check induction compatibility. Covers 50+ product lines with verified specs.
An induction cooktop heats a pan by generating a magnetic field, so the pan has to be magnetic or nothing happens at all. No magnetic pull, no heat. That one rule is behind every story of someone buying a gorgeous copper or aluminum pan and getting an error code instead of dinner.
Type a brand or model to see if it works on an induction cooktop.
Why "induction compatible" can mislead you#
Some pans start as non-magnetic aluminum or austenitic stainless, then get a thin magnetic disc welded to the base purely so the box can claim compatibility. The cooktop will switch on, but a thin disc heats slowly and unevenly and leaves cold rings and hot spots. It is a world away from a fully clad pan whose magnetic layer runs through the entire base. That difference is the whole reason this checker exists. A yes means the base is genuinely magnetic across its full footprint. A partial means it engages but with that thin-disc penalty. A no means it will not light the cooktop at all, and I will point you to pans that will.
If your pan will not work#
You have two options. The cheap one is a converter disc, a flat magnetic plate you set on the burner with your non-magnetic pan on top. It works, but you lose most of induction's speed and efficiency to the extra layer, and the discs warp over time. I treat it as a way to keep using a pan you love, not a real fix.
The better move is owning one truly induction-ready pan. A fully clad stainless piece or a plain cast iron skillet grabs the field directly, heats evenly, and outlives the cooktop. When I find a strong value pick that works on induction, I link it straight in the result above.
How I check the base#
I confirm the base material and construction against the manufacturer's spec, then work out whether the magnetic layer runs through the whole base or is just an applied disc. A pan earns a yes only when it is ferromagnetic across its full footprint, and a partial when a disc or a thin layer drags down real cooking performance. The full method is on the how I review page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I test if my pan works on induction?
Stick a fridge magnet to the bottom of the pan. If it clamps on firmly, the pan is induction compatible. If it slides off or barely holds, the pan will not work, or it will work so poorly it is not worth using. The magnet test is more reliable than the label printed on the box.
Why does my pan say induction compatible but barely heats?
It almost certainly has a thin magnetic disc welded to a non-magnetic body rather than a magnetic layer running through the whole base. The disc is enough to trigger the cooktop, but it heats unevenly and slowly and leaves hot spots. That is what I flag as partial compatibility rather than a true yes.
Will a converter disc make any pan work on induction?
Yes, mostly. A converter disc is a magnetic plate you set on the cooktop with your non-magnetic pan on top. It works, but you lose most of induction's speed and efficiency because you have added a slow middleman, and discs can warp over time. I treat it as a stopgap rather than a real fix.
Is stainless steel always induction compatible?
No. Austenitic stainless like 18/10 is not magnetic on its own, so a pan made only of that grade will not work. Most quality clad pans solve this by adding a magnetic stainless layer to the base, which is why they do work. Always run the magnet test rather than assuming.
Does cast iron work on induction?
Yes, every time. Both bare and enameled cast iron are strongly ferromagnetic, so they engage induction cooktops perfectly. The only thing to watch is that heavy cast iron can scratch a glass induction surface if you drag it, so lift rather than slide.