What is an IP Rating?

How to Read an IP Rating (e.g., IP65)

An IP rating is always followed by two numbers. Sometimes you'll see an "X" if a product hasn't been tested for that specific category.

• The First Digit (Solids & Dust): Ranges from 0 to 6. It tells you how well the device is protected against solid objects.
• 0 means no protection.
• 5 means it's mostly protected against dust.
• 6 means it is completely "dust-tight."
• The Second Digit (Liquids & Water): Ranges from 0 to 9K. It tells you how water-resistant or waterproof the device is.
• 0 means no protection.
• 4 means it can handle splashing water.
• 7 means it can survive temporary immersion in water (up to 1 meter for 30 minutes).
• 8 means it can handle deeper, continuous immersion (specifics are set by the manufacturer).

Common IP Ratings Explained

If you are buying outdoor gear, here is a quick cheat sheet of the most common ratings you will see.

• IP65: Completely dust-tight and protected against low-pressure water jets (like rain or a light hose). Great for general outdoor use.
• IP66: Completely dust-tight and protected against powerful high-pressure water jets.
• IP67: Completely dust-tight and can survive being temporarily dropped in water (up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes).
• IP68: Completely dust-tight and fully submersible in water deeper than 1 meter (check the manufacturer's exact depth and time limits).
• IP69K: The absolute highest rating. It is completely dust-tight and can withstand close-range, high-temperature, high-pressure washdowns.

Water-Resistant vs. Waterproof

• Water-Resistant (e.g., IP65, IP67): Can stop water from entering to a certain degree, but cannot survive underwater indefinitely.
• Waterproof: Completely impervious to water, no matter how long it is submerged.

Extra Letters

Sometimes you might see extra letters at the end (like IP55W). These provide supplementary information. For example, "W" means the rating also accounts for specific weather conditions like high humidity or condensation.

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