The macroscopic friction behavior of water-swollen cross-linked poly(ethylene glycol)-based polyurethane coatings (PEG-based PU coatings) with varying PEG precursor mass is measured against a glass counter surface. Experimental data such as the water uptake and the indentation modulus are used to calculate an accurate value for the molar mass between cross-links M-c, which, in turn, is used for the estimation of the actual coating mesh size xi. The friction, swelling and indentation data obtained are used to successfully deduce an empirical model for the quantitative description of the aqueous friction behavior of these coatings depending on the mesh size of the coatings and the sliding velocity only.