Complete IP Rating Guide
Technical Guide
Complete Guide to IP Ratings: Understanding Ingress Protection
Whether you're choosing an indoor table lamp or a fully exposed outdoor fixture, you may have seen ratings like IP20, IP44, IP54, IP65, or IP67. But what do these numbers actually mean?
IP ratings, also known as Ingress Protection ratings, classify how well a product is protected against solid objects like dust and against liquids like water. This guide explains the full IP system so you can confidently select lighting for indoor, outdoor, residential, or commercial environments.
Quick Answer: An IP rating (Ingress Protection rating) indicates how well a product is protected against solid objects and water. The first digit measures dust protection (0–6), and the second digit measures water protection (0–8).
1. What is an IP rating?
Definition: An IP rating is an international classification system that measures how effectively an electrical product resists intrusion from solid particles and liquids.
IP stands for Ingress Protection. The system is standardized globally and used across lighting, electronics, and industrial equipment to define levels of environmental resistance.
2. How the IP system works
Every IP rating consists of two digits:
- First digit (0–6): Protection against solid objects and dust
- Second digit (0–8): Protection against water
For example:
- IP20 → Basic protection against solid objects, no water protection
- IP44 → Splash resistant
- IP54 → Dust protected and splash resistant
- IP65 → Fully dust-tight and protected against water jets
- IP67 → Dust-tight and protected against temporary immersion
3. Understanding dust protection (first digit)
| Digit | Solid Protection Level |
|---|---|
| 0 | No protection |
| 1–2 | Protection against large objects or fingers |
| 3–4 | Protection against small tools and wires |
| 5 | Dust protected (limited dust ingress allowed) |
| 6 | Fully dust-tight |
Higher first-digit ratings are important for outdoor environments, construction areas, and commercial installations exposed to debris.
4. Understanding water protection (second digit)
| Digit | Water Protection Level |
|---|---|
| 0 | No protection |
| 3–4 | Protection against splashing water |
| 5 | Protection against water jets |
| 6 | Protection against powerful water jets |
| 7 | Protection against temporary immersion |
| 8 | Protection against continuous immersion |
The second digit becomes especially important for outdoor, poolside, bathroom, and commercial environments.
5. Common IP ratings explained
- IP20: Indoor dry areas such as living rooms and bedrooms.
- IP44: Bathrooms and covered outdoor areas.
- IP54: Dust-protected and splash-resistant environments.
- IP65: Exposed patios, terraces, and outdoor hospitality spaces.
- IP67: Poolside and floating lighting applications.
Selecting the correct IP rating depends on exposure to water, dust, and overall environmental conditions.
6. How to choose the right IP rating
- Determine whether the product is for indoor or outdoor use.
- Assess direct water exposure.
- Consider dust or debris levels.
- Account for local climate conditions.
- For rechargeable outdoor lighting in Canada, store indoors during winter to protect battery life.
Explore Newgarden’s indoor lighting collection and outdoor lighting collection to find solutions designed for every environment.
7. Key takeaways
- The first digit measures dust protection.
- The second digit measures water protection.
- Higher numbers mean greater environmental resistance.
- Indoor lighting typically uses lower IP ratings.
- Outdoor and pool lighting require higher ratings.
8. Quick FAQ
What does IP stand for?
IP stands for Ingress Protection.
Is IP20 suitable for outdoor use?
No. IP20 is designed for dry indoor environments only.
Is IP54 waterproof?
IP54 is splash resistant and dust protected but not designed for heavy rain or immersion.
Does a higher IP rating mean better quality?
Not necessarily better quality, but greater protection against environmental exposure.
Find the Right Protection for Your Space
Explore indoor and outdoor lighting designed with the appropriate IP rating for every environment.