IP Ratings Explained: Choosing Safe Lights for Bathrooms and Outdoors
Look closely at any bathroom or outdoor light and you will find a small code such as IP44 or IP65. It is one of the most important details on the fitting, yet it is often the least understood. With IP ratings explained clearly, you can choose lights that are safe, comply with the wiring regulations and keep looking good for years.
Our team is asked about IP ratings almost every day, particularly as winter weather arrives and people notice which outside lights are struggling. In this guide we explain what the two numbers mean, which ratings suit each bathroom zone, what to look for outdoors, and a few common mistakes that are easy to avoid.
What does an IP rating mean?
IP stands for Ingress Protection, an international standard that measures how well a fitting keeps out solid objects and moisture. The rating is always written as the letters IP followed by two numbers. Each number is tested separately, so a fitting can be very well protected against dust but only lightly protected against water, or the other way round.
The first number runs from 0 to 6 and covers solids, from fingers and tools right down to fine dust. The second number runs from 0 to 8 and covers water, from dripping condensation through splashes and jets to full immersion. The higher each number, the better protected the fitting is against that particular hazard.
Sometimes you will see an X in place of a number, such as IPX4. That simply means the fitting has not been tested for that category, so an IPX4 light has a known water rating but no official dust rating. For most homes, it is the second digit that matters most when you are choosing lights for damp rooms or the garden.
The most common IP ratings in the home
IP20 is the standard rating for most indoor lights. It keeps fingers away from live parts but offers no protection against water, so it suits living rooms, bedrooms and hallways. The vast majority of pendants, chandeliers and table lamps in our showroom are IP20, which is perfectly safe anywhere that stays dry.
IP44 is the rating you will see most often on bathroom and porch lights. The 4 for solids keeps out objects larger than 1mm, and the 4 for water means the fitting can cope with splashes from any direction. That makes it ideal for most bathroom wall lights and for outdoor lights fitted somewhere sheltered, such as under a canopy.
IP65 fittings are dust tight and protected against low pressure jets of water, so they cope well with driving rain and the spray from a shower head. IP67 goes further, protecting against temporary immersion in up to a metre of water. IP68 is reserved for fittings designed to sit underwater, such as pond and pool lights.
Bathroom zones and the ratings they need
Bathrooms in the UK are divided into zones under the wiring regulations, BS 7671, according to how close they are to water. Zone 0 is inside the bath or shower tray itself. Lights here must be at least IP67 and run on low voltage, typically 12 volts, which is why very few fittings are designed for this zone.
Zone 1 is the area directly above the bath or shower, up to 2.25 metres from the floor. The regulations ask for at least IP44, but our team always recommends IP65 here because the fitting may be hit directly by spray from the shower. Our IP65 Zone 1 lighting range includes sealed downlights and ceiling lights made for exactly this spot.
Zone 2 extends 60cm beyond the edge of the bath or shower and around the basin, and needs at least IP44. This is where most mirror lights and bathroom wall lights sit. There is a wide choice of decorative IP44 wall lights and ceiling fittings that bring real style to this area without compromising on safety.
Outside the zones: steam, kitchens and utility rooms
Anywhere in a bathroom beyond Zone 2 is classed as outside the zones, so technically a standard fitting can be used. In practice, a bathroom fills with steam every day, and moisture can settle inside an IP20 fitting over time. We usually suggest at least IP44 for any bathroom light, and our IP44 Zone 2 lighting collection makes that easy.
Kitchens and utility rooms are not zoned in the same way, but they can still be humid places. A pendant above a hob or a ceiling light near a tumble dryer will see a lot of steam and grease. Fittings with enclosed glass shades are easier to keep clean and better protected than open designs in these hard working rooms.
Ensuite showers, wet rooms and cloakrooms deserve the same care as a main bathroom. Wet rooms in particular have no shower tray to define the zones, so water can reach much further than you might expect. Ask your electrician to assess the space and choose IP65 fittings wherever spray might reach the ceiling.
Choosing IP ratings for outdoor lights
Outdoors, the right rating depends on how exposed the light will be. A wall light tucked under a porch roof or a deep canopy is sheltered from most rain, so IP44 is usually enough. A light on an open wall facing the prevailing wind, however, takes the full force of the weather and is far better with IP54 or IP65.
Ground level lights face the toughest conditions. Spike lights, bollards and path lights sit in puddles, get splashed by hoses and are often buried in wet soil, so we recommend IP65 as a minimum. Recessed deck and ground lights that may sit in standing water should be IP67, and anything inside a pond or water feature must be IP68.
Our outdoor lights range covers wall lanterns, post lights, bollards and spike lights, with the IP rating listed on every product. The winter months are a good test of any outdoor fitting, so if your current lights are misting up inside or flickering after heavy rain, it may be a sign that their rating is not high enough for the spot.
Common IP rating mistakes to avoid
The most common mistake is assuming that a higher rating automatically means a better light. An IP67 fitting is not necessary in a dry hallway, and fully sealed designs can run warmer and offer fewer decorative options. Match the rating to the location, and you will have far more choice in style, finish and price.
Another trap is fitting a waterproof light and then compromising it during installation. A seal only works if the gasket is seated properly, cable glands are tightened and the fitting is mounted the right way up. Cutting into a sealed LED strip or drilling an extra hole through the backplate can undo the protection completely.
Remember that the rating applies to the whole fitting as sold. Adding a shade that was not supplied with it, or using a bulb with an unsealed lampholder, can change how well water is kept out. Bathroom and outdoor lighting should always be installed by a qualified electrician, who will confirm the correct ratings for your space.
Finding the right light for every space
Once you understand the two numbers, choosing safe lighting becomes much simpler. IP20 suits dry living spaces, IP44 covers most bathroom wall lights and sheltered outdoor spots, IP65 handles showers and exposed walls, and IP67 and IP68 are for lights that may sit in or under water. Every product page on our site lists its rating clearly.
Safety and style can absolutely go hand in hand. Today's bathroom and outdoor fittings come in antique brass, matt black, polished chrome and nickel, with ribbed glass, opal shades and traditional lantern shapes to suit every kind of home, from a Victorian terrace to a contemporary new build.
Browse our bathroom lighting collection for decorative fittings with the right protection built in, or visit our Swansea showroom, where our team is always happy to explain the zones in your own bathroom or garden and help you find lights that are as safe as they are beautiful.
Frequently asked questions
What does IP44 mean on a light?
IP44 means the fitting is protected against solid objects larger than 1mm and against water splashed from any direction. It is the standard rating for bathroom wall lights in Zone 2 and for outdoor lights fitted in sheltered positions, such as under a porch.
Is IP44 or IP65 better for a bathroom?
Both are suitable, depending on the zone. IP44 is fine for Zone 2, around the basin and within 60cm of the bath or shower. For Zone 1, directly above the bath or shower, we recommend IP65, as it is fully dust tight and protected against direct jets of water.
What IP rating do I need for outdoor lights?
IP44 suits sheltered spots such as under a canopy or porch roof. For exposed walls, choose IP54 or IP65. Ground level spike, path and bollard lights should be at least IP65, recessed ground lights IP67, and any light in a pond or water feature IP68.
Can I use a normal light in a bathroom?
A standard IP20 light can legally be used outside the bathroom zones, more than 60cm from the bath, shower or basin. However, bathrooms are steamy, so we recommend at least IP44 for every bathroom fitting. Always ask a qualified electrician to confirm the zones.
What does the X mean in an IP rating such as IPX4?
The X means that category has not been tested. In IPX4, the fitting is rated against splashing water but has no official rating for dust or solid objects. It offers the same water protection as IP44 but without the confirmed protection against solids.
