IPX8 rating explained: continuous immersion, dust not rated
Deeper or longer immersion set by the manufacturer; the X means dust was not tested.
Want the full system, or to decode any other code? See the IEC 60529 standard explained or the IP rating decoder.
What IPX8 protects against
Key facts
- Standard
- IEC 60529 (Ingress Protection code)
- Solids
- X = not declared (a placeholder, not zero)
- Water
- 8 = continuous immersion beyond 1 m
- Depth and time
- Defined by the manufacturer; must exceed IPX7
- Does not cover
- Jets, swimming (unless stated), a stated dust rating
What IPX8 protects against
The second digit, 8, means continuous immersion in water beyond 1 metre. As with IP68, the standard does not fix the depth and time for 8; the manufacturer defines them, and they must be more severe than the IPX7 test of 1 metre for 30 minutes.
The X in the first position means dust protection was not tested or declared. IPX8 is common on swim wearables, dive-oriented devices and submersible sensors, where deeper water protection matters more than a certified dust figure.
IPX8 and swimming
IPX8 tells you a device survives deeper immersion than IPX7, but it does not, on its own, certify it for swimming. The immersion test uses still water, while swimming adds the dynamic pressure of movement and, for watches, button presses underwater.
For swimming, the meaningful benchmark is a watch pressure rating such as 5ATM (from the watch standard ISO 22810, equivalent to 50 metres of static pressure) or an explicit swim rating. A device marked IPX8 but not cleared for swimming is protected against deeper immersion, not laps.
IPX7 vs IPX8
| Property | IPX7 | IPX8 |
|---|---|---|
| Solids | X - not declared | X - not declared |
| Water | 7 - immersion | 8 - continuous immersion |
| Depth | 1 m | Beyond 1 m, manufacturer-defined |
| Time | 30 minutes | Manufacturer-defined, exceeds IPX7 |
IPX7 vs IPX8
Both leave dust undeclared and both are immersion ratings; the difference is depth and duration. IPX7 is fixed at 1 metre for 30 minutes. IPX8 covers deeper or longer immersion at a depth and time the manufacturer sets, so IPX8 devices vary.
IPX7 suits accidental dunks; IPX8 suits devices designed for deeper or sustained submersion. Neither certifies dust protection, and neither is automatically safe for swimming.
Frequently asked questions
What does IPX8 mean?
Can I swim with an IPX8 device?
What is the difference between IPX7 and IPX8?
Is IPX8 the same as IP68?
Does IPX8 protect against water jets?
Related
Sources: IEC 60529 (IEC Webstore) · IEC: IP ratings · ISO 22810 (ISO). An overview for design reference - verify against the current edition before relying on it for compliance.