Every light has an IP rating. It tells you how well the light is sealed against dust and water, and so where it is safe to fit. This guide explains what the numbers mean and which rating you need.
How to Read an IP Rating
IP stands for Ingress Protection. The rating is two digits:
- The first digit (0 to 6) is protection against solid objects, from fingers to dust.
- The second digit (0 to 8) is protection against water.
The higher the number, the better the protection. An X in place of a digit, as in IPX4, means that part was not tested.
The first digit: solid objects
| Digit | What it keeps out | |
|---|---|---|
 | 1 | Objects over 50mm, such as the back of a hand |
 | 2 | Objects over 12.5mm, such as a finger |
 | 3 | Objects over 2.5mm, such as a tool |
 | 4 | Objects over 1mm, such as a wire |
 | 5 | Dust: a little may get in, but not enough to do harm |
 | 6 | Dust entirely: the light is dust-tight |
The second digit: water
| Digit | What it keeps out | |
|---|---|---|
 | 1 | Water dripping straight down |
 | 2 | Dripping water when the light is tilted |
 | 3 | Spraying water, such as rain at an angle |
 | 4 | Water splashing from any direction |
 | 5 | Jets of water |
 | 6 | Powerful jets of water |
 | 7 | Being under water for a short time |
 | 8 | Being under water all the time |
The Ratings You'll See Most
Scroll sideways to see the whole table.
| Rating | What it means | Where it suits |
|---|---|---|
| IP20 | Protected against fingers. No water protection. | Dry rooms: living rooms, bedrooms, hallways |
| IP23 | Protected against fingers and light spray. | Sheltered spots such as a covered porch |
| IP44 | Protected against small objects and splashing water from any direction. | Bathrooms, and outdoor walls under cover |
| IP45 | As IP44, and also protected against low-pressure jets of water. | Over a bath or shower |
| IP54 | Protected against dust and splashing water. | Outdoors in most positions |
| IP65 | Dust-tight and protected against jets of water. | Exposed outdoor walls, gardens, over showers |
| IP67 | Dust-tight and protected against temporary immersion. | Ground lights, and anywhere that can flood |
| IP68 | Dust-tight and protected against continuous immersion. | Ponds and water features |
Which Rating Do I Need?
- Living room: IP20
- Kitchen: IP44
- Bathroom: by zone
- Porch: IP44
- Exposed wall: IP65
- Flower bed: IP67
- Pond: IP68
- Living rooms, bedrooms and hallways: IP20 is fine.
- Kitchens: IP20 is fine for most lights. Choose IP44 near the sink or cooker if the light could be splashed.
- Bathrooms: it depends on the zone the light is in. Near the bath or shower you'll need IP44 or higher; directly over it, many people choose IP65. Our bathroom zones guide explains the zones.
- Outdoors: IP44 is the minimum for a wall light. Choose IP54 or IP65 for exposed walls and garden lights, and IP67 for lights set into the ground.
Two Things to Remember
- A higher rating is never wrong. An IP65 light works perfectly well in a dry room; it simply costs a little more.
- The rating covers the whole light as fitted. Follow the fitting instructions exactly, especially seals and gaskets, or the rating no longer applies.
Finding the Rating
Every light on our site lists its IP rating in the specification, and you can filter bathroom and outdoor lights by rating.
Need a Hand?
Call our lighting team on 0113 2818 343. Tell us where the light is going and we'll point you to the right rating.
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