IP44 Rating Explained: IP44 vs IP65 vs IP66 for Outdoor Lighting

Updated October 2026 · Meteor Electrical guides · 9 min read

Choosing an IP rating for outdoor lighting is about matching the fitting to where it will actually live, not just whether it is "outside". This guide explains what the two digits mean, how IP44, IP65 and IP66 compare, and which rating to use where, so the fitting you install is still working years from now.

What does an IP44 rating mean?

IP stands for Ingress Protection. The rating comes from the international standard IEC 60529 (BS EN 60529 in the UK) and tells you how well an enclosure keeps out solids and water. It is always written as "IP" followed by two digits.

In IP44, the first 4 means the fitting keeps out solid objects bigger than 1 mm, such as wires, screws and most insects. The second 4 means it is protected against water splashing on it from any direction. An IP44 light can handle rain falling on it in a sheltered spot, but it is not dust-tight and is not tested against jets of water.

You will sometimes see an "X" in place of a digit, such as IPX4. The X simply means that property was not tested. IPX4 still means splash-proof, but tells you nothing about dust.

How do you read an IP rating? (IP digit table)

The first digit is protection against solids, from 0 to 6. The second digit is protection against water, from 0 to 8. Higher numbers mean more protection, and the three ratings in this guide are highlighted in bold.

First digit: protection against solids and dust

Second digit: protection against water

IP44 vs IP65 vs IP66: what is the difference?

The jump from IP44 to IP65 is the big one. It moves you from "splash-proof and keeps out larger debris" to "dust-tight and protected against water jets". The step from IP65 to IP66 is smaller: both are dust-tight, but IP66 is tested with a much more powerful jet.

IP44 or IP65: which is better for outdoor lights?

IP65 gives more protection in every respect, so it is the safer default for most outdoor lighting. IP44 is fine where the fitting is sheltered, and many decorative wall lanterns are IP44 for that reason. If a light will face open sky or driving rain, choose IP65.

Is IP66 suitable for outdoor use?

Yes. IP66 is one of the highest ratings you will need for outdoor lighting above ground. It is dust-tight and protected against powerful water jets, so it suits exposed coastal walls, high-wind sites, yards and areas that are hosed down. It is not rated for being submerged, so in-ground and pond lights need IP67 or IP68.

Video credit: NARVA.

Which IP rating do you need, and where?

Base the decision on the worst conditions the fitting will see: wind-driven rain, ground water, dust and how it gets cleaned. Use this as a guide, and always follow the manufacturer's stated suitability.

Choose IP44 for sheltered outdoor lighting

IP44 works when exposure is controlled, such as covered verandas, soffit downlights and lights under a deep porch roof. It is often the cheaper option, but only when the mounting position and cable entry are genuinely protected from direct rain.

Choose IP65 for exposed walls, gardens and general exteriors

IP65 is the go-to rating for most outdoor installs, including building perimeters, wall packs, floodlights, garden lighting and doorways that face the prevailing wind. Browse our outdoor lighting range for IP65 bulkheads, floodlights and wall lights. For garages, car parks and outbuildings, IP65 batten fittings keep dust and damp away from the LEDs.

Choose IP66 for harsh and wash-down environments

IP66 is for sites where water hits hard or often: service yards, transport depots, food loading areas and exposed coastal façades. Pair it with corrosion-resistant housings near salt air, as IP ratings do not cover corrosion.

Outdoor sockets, switches and enclosures

The same logic applies to outdoor accessories. Our weatherproof switches and sockets are designed for outdoor use, and IP rated weatherproof enclosures protect connections, isolators and controls outside. For a socket, check whether the stated rating applies with the lid closed only or with a plug in.

What IP rating do bathroom lights need?

Bathrooms use a zone system in BS 7671 (Section 701) rather than outdoor exposure. In short:

All circuits in a bathroom also need 30 mA RCD protection. For a fuller guide, read IP44 vs IP65 bathroom lighting: what's the difference? or shop our bathroom lighting.

What doesn't an IP rating tell you?

An IP rating only covers solids and water getting in. Plenty of outdoor fittings fail for other reasons, so check these too:

• Impact resistance: this is the IK rating, from IK00 to IK10. Choose IK08 or higher where fittings could be hit or vandalised.
• Corrosion: salt air and chemicals attack housings and fixings. Look for marine-grade or non-corrosive materials on coastal sites.
• UV ageing: sunlight can crack gaskets, lenses and glands over time, letting water in long before the fitting looks old.
• Condensation: temperature swings can draw moist air in. A sealed fitting can still collect water if it is installed upside down or the gland is wrong.
• Pressure washers: the IP66 test uses a powerful hose jet, not a high-pressure washer. Do not aim a pressure washer at a fitting unless the maker says it can take it (an IP69 rating covers high-pressure, high-temperature cleaning).

What should you check before buying outdoor lights?

Before you commit, check exactly what the IP mark applies to:

1. Check the complete fitting. The rating should apply to the assembled luminaire, not just the housing.
2. Check the mounting position. Some fittings are only rated when mounted a certain way up, such as lens down.
3. Use the right glands and seals. The wrong cable gland, or an unsealed knockout, can undo the rating straight away.
4. Match IP with IK and materials. Choose the impact rating and housing material for the site, not just the water rating.
5. Keep it maintained. Check seals and glands when you re-lamp or service, and replace perished gaskets.

Choosing the right IP rating for outdoor lighting

Pick an IP44 rating for genuinely sheltered spots, IP65 for exposed walls and gardens, and IP66 for harsh, coastal or wash-down areas. When in doubt, judge by wind-driven rain and how the fitting will be cleaned, not by the word "outdoor". Getting it right first time saves repeat visits and early failures.

Need help choosing? Call our team on 028 8675 1515 (048 from ROI), Monday to Friday, 8am–5pm.

FAQs

What does IP44 mean?

IP44 means a product is protected against solid objects larger than 1 mm, such as wires and small screws, and against water splashing from any direction. It is not dust-tight and is not tested against water jets, so it suits sheltered outdoor locations and bathroom zones that need IPX4.

Is IP44 OK for outdoor use?

Yes, in sheltered positions. IP44 is fine under a porch roof, canopy or deep eaves, where the light only gets splashed rather than hit by driving rain. For exposed walls, gardens and ground-level fittings, IP65 is the safer choice because it is dust-tight and protected against water jets.

What is the difference between IP44 and IP65?

IP44 keeps out objects over 1 mm and resists splashing water. IP65 is dust-tight and resists water jets from any direction. That makes IP65 more suitable for exposed outdoor lighting, dusty areas such as garages and car parks, and anywhere that may be hosed down occasionally.

Is IP66 suitable for outdoor use?

Yes. IP66 is dust-tight and protected against powerful water jets, so it is well suited to exposed, coastal and high-wind locations, and areas that are hosed down. It is not rated for immersion, so lights that may sit in water, such as in-ground or pond lights, need IP67 or IP68.

Which is better, IP65 or IP66?

Both are dust-tight. IP66 is tested against more powerful water jets than IP65, so it offers more protection on very exposed or regularly cleaned sites. For most domestic outdoor lighting, IP65 is enough. Choose IP66 where storms, coastal weather or wash-down cleaning make heavy water impact likely.

Is IP67 better than IP66?

Not always. IP67 is tested for temporary immersion up to 1 m, while IP66 is tested against powerful water jets. They are different tests, so an IP67 fitting has not necessarily passed the jet test. If you need both, look for a dual rating such as IP66/IP67.

What IP rating do bathroom lights need?

Under BS 7671, lights in zone 1 (above the bath or shower up to 2.25 m) and zone 2 need at least IPX4, or IPX5 where water jets are used for cleaning. Zone 0, inside the bath or shower tray, needs IPX7 and 12 V SELV equipment.

Related guides

• IP44 vs IP65 bathroom lighting: what's the difference?
• LED bulkhead lights buying guide: IP ratings, IK ratings and sensors
• Weatherproof switches and sockets buying guide
• Key factors to consider when designing outdoor lighting