Everything you need to know about IP protection ratings for your luminaires

When choosing a luminaire for a bathroom, terrace, or garden, the question of waterproofing always comes up. The IP protection rating is precisely there to guide you: it indicates the level of protection of the luminaire against dust and water. Understanding this code helps avoid purchase mistakes, extend the lifespan of your products, and ensure a safe installation.

If you wonder which IP rating for bathroom or which IP for outdoors to choose, this article helps you see clearly, without technical jargon. The goal: to enable you to select lighting compatible with bathrooms or outdoor use that suits your room, your project, and the constraints of humidity or rain.

What is an IP protection rating?

The IP code (for "Ingress Protection") is an international standard that classifies the enclosures of electrical devices, especially luminaires, according to their ability to resist solid objects (dust, particles) and water. This allows you to know if a product can be used in a damp area, outdoors, or only in a dry room.

To understand the protection rating without getting lost in normative details, remember that the higher the digits, the better the luminaire is protected. The term IP luminaire standard is sometimes used to refer to all these rules applicable to lighting products.

How to read an IP rating?

Reading an IP rating may seem complex at first, but it is enough to understand the logic of the two digits that compose it. Together, they precisely indicate the level of protection a luminaire has against dust and water. Here is how to easily decode this system.

The meaning of the IP code

An IP rating always appears in the form "IPXX", for example IP20, IP44, or IP65. The acronym "IP" is followed by two digits:

• the first digit indicates protection against solid objects (dust, particles, objects)
• the second digit indicates protection against water (drops, splashes, jets, immersion)

For example, a IP44 luminaire is protected against solid objects larger than 1 mm (dust, small insects) and against water splashes from all directions. This is already a good level of protection for a bathroom or a sheltered outdoor area.

Break down the two digits: dust and water

The first digit ranges from 0 to 6:

• IP0X: no special protection against solids
• IP2X: protected against fingers or objects larger than 12.5 mm
• IP4X: protected against small solid objects (insects, particles)
• IP5X: protected against dust (limited dust ingress)
• IP6X: completely dust-tight

The second digit ranges from 0 to 9:

• IPX1: protection against vertical drops
• IPX4: protection against water splashes
• IPX5: protection against water jets
• IPX7: protection against temporary immersion
• IPX8: protection against prolonged immersion

The difference between IP44 and IP65 then becomes very clear: IP44 protects against splashes, IP65 against stronger water jets, with better dust resistance as well. An IP65 luminaire is therefore recommended in very exposed areas (uncovered outdoors, near a shower, etc.).

The most common protection indices

In decorative and architectural lighting, a few protection indices come up very often. Here are the ones most commonly encountered:

• IP20: no particular risk, dry rooms only (living room, bedroom, office).
• IP21 / IP23: light protection against water drops, usable in some low-exposure areas.
• IP44: protection against small solid objects and water splashes. It is a good compromise for a bathroom IP luminaire placed in a low-exposure area, or for sheltered outdoor use.
• IP54: enhanced protection against dust and splashes, ideal for outdoor use under normal conditions.
• IP65: very good protection against dust and water jets. Perfect for outdoor IP lighting on a facade or a heavily exposed wall.
• IP67 / IP68: protection against temporary (IP67) or prolonged (IP68) immersion. They are found on some floor spots, lighting near pools, or LED marking strips.

In all cases, a true waterproof luminaire is one that displays an IP rating adapted to the environment in which it will be installed, and not just a design "for outdoors."

Protection indices and bathroom: what rules?

The bathroom is one of the most sensitive rooms in the house because water is omnipresent: shower, bathtub, basin, condensation... The electrical standard defines zones called volumes around water points. These concepts of bathroom volume standard help determine if a luminaire can be installed in a given place, and with what minimum IP level.

Understanding the volumes in the bathroom

Without going into all the technical details, we generally distinguish:

• the volume close to the bathtub or shower (areas where water can come into direct contact with the luminaire);
• the intermediate volume (areas close but not directly in contact with water);
• the rest of the room, considered outside the volume, where the constraints are less strict.

The closer you get to the shower or bathtub, the more a good shower IP is essential: the device must be able to withstand strong splashes, even jets of water.

Which IP to choose concretely?

To simplify selection:

• Immediate proximity to the shower or bathtub (volume 1): aim for IP65 or higher, with a product clearly designed for this use.
• Around the sink or washbasin area (splash zone): an IP44 luminaire is often appropriate.
• Rest of the bathroom, outside splash zones: an IP20 luminaire may be suitable, provided it is installed in a dry and ventilated area.

A well-chosen bathroom IP luminaire must therefore consider its exact position, distance from water points, and the type of possible spray (splashes, jets, misting). Ideally, always consult a professional when the situation is borderline. See our dedicated article Which lighting to choose for a bathroom.

Protection ratings and outdoor lighting

Outside, the IP rating is just as crucial. Imagine a wall exposed to rain, a garden path, a covered terrace: each case requires a different level of protection. Good outdoor IP lighting will be weather-resistant, durable over time, and suited to the type of exposure (sheltered or not).

Terrace and sheltered areas

On a covered terrace, under a canopy or balcony, luminaires are less directly exposed to rain. Intermediate IP ratings like IP44 or IP54, which protect against dust and standard water splashes, are sufficient.

Facades and rain-exposed areas

On an unprotected facade, an entrance canopy, or a wall often battered by rain, it is recommended to upgrade. In this case, choosing a product with IP65 ensures good resistance to jets and heavy rain. When comparing products, remember to check the rating before the aesthetics.

Outdoor floor and marking

For recessed floor spots, low-height posts near the ground, or luminaires likely to be subjected to strong splashes or standing water, IP67 and IP68 ratings are the most suitable. Some LED strips for step or poolside marking are also offered in IP67/IP68 to withstand temporary or prolonged immersion.

Can an IP20 luminaire be used in the bathroom?

Yes, but not just anywhere. In clearly out-of-volume zones, that is, away from the shower, bathtub, and direct splashes, it is possible to install IP20 luminaires, for example to highlight a wall or ceiling. The key is to respect minimum distances and ensure good ventilation.

However, as soon as the luminaire is likely to be splashed or exposed to water droplets, the IP rating must be increased. A bathroom-compatible lighting should always be chosen based on its exact location and not solely on aesthetic criteria.

How to check the IP of a luminaire before purchase?

The protection rating is generally indicated on the product sheet, packaging, and the luminaire's nameplate. If no indication is given, it is prudent to consider the product as IP20 by default. Before confirming your choice, ask yourself: will the luminaire be exposed to dust, steam, water droplets, jets, or immersion?

Understanding the difference between IP44 and IP65 allows, for example, to decide between a luminaire for a lightly exposed bathroom and another for a shower area or a facade. A waterproof luminaire is only truly waterproof if its IP is adapted to the actual situation.

IP & materials: what you need to know

IP and materials are often confused, although they are two distinct concepts. A luminaire can be made of metal, wood, resin, or glass, without this alone determining its protection rating. The IP results from the assembly work: seals, screws, cable glands, glass covers, silicone seals, etc.

A metal IP65 luminaire can be more resistant to water jets than a resin IP44 luminaire, even if the latter visually seems more "outdoor". For LED strips, there are several variants (IP20 for indoor, IP65 or IP67 for outdoor or humid rooms, IP68 for certain specific applications).

Summary: which IP for which use?

To help you remember, here is a summary of the most common situations:

• Living room, bedroom, dry rooms: IP20 is more than sufficient.
• Bathroom outside direct water zone: IP44 recommended.
• Near shower / bathtub: IP65 or higher, with a product clearly designed for this use.
• Sheltered terrace and outdoor area: IP44 / IP54.
• Facade, wall exposed to rain, heavily watered area: IP65.
• Outdoor ground, recessed spotlights, immediate proximity to very wet areas: IP67 / IP68.

Whether for indoor or outdoor use, a IP44 luminaire often constitutes a good starting point when there is a risk of water splashes, whereas an IP20 remains reserved for dry spaces.

Conclusion & tips for choosing well

The IP rating is not there to complicate things, but to secure and simplify your choices. With a few simple guidelines, you can decide if a luminaire is suitable for a dry room, a bathroom, a sheltered terrace, or a very exposed garden. In summary, always choose a product compliant with the luminaire IP standard appropriate for the area concerned, rather than being guided solely by aesthetics.

Before any purchase, take a few minutes to check the protection rating, the intended installation, and the type of exposure (water, dust, jets, immersion). To be sure, discover all our waterproof luminaires.