IP67 rating explained: dust-tight and safe from temporary immersion
Complete dust protection plus 30 minutes at 1 metre underwater.
Want the full system, or to decode any other code? See the IEC 60529 standard explained or the IP rating decoder.
What IP67 protects against
Key facts
- Standard
- IEC 60529 (Ingress Protection code)
- Dust
- 6 = dust-tight, complete protection
- Water
- 7 = immersion to 1 m for 30 minutes
- Immersion test
- 1 m depth (to the bottom of the enclosure), 30 minutes
- Does not cover
- High-pressure jets (unless separately tested), corrosion, impact
What IP67 protects against
The first digit, 6, is the highest solids rating: the enclosure is dust-tight, with no ingress of dust at all. The second digit, 7, means the enclosure can be immersed in water to a depth of 1 metre for 30 minutes without harmful ingress.
That makes IP67 a strong, common rating for equipment that may be dropped in water or rained on heavily: smartphones, wearables, GPS units, outdoor sensors and rugged tools. The dust-tight seal also suits dusty industrial and outdoor environments.
What IP67 does NOT protect against
IP67 is an immersion rating, tested with still water and static pressure. It says nothing about high-pressure water jets. Water levels are not a single cumulative ladder past 6: a device tested to IP67 has not necessarily passed the IP66 jet test. Where both jets and immersion matter, look for a dual rating such as IP66/IP67.
It also does not address corrosion, chemicals, salt water or mechanical impact, and the seal is a factory-sealed, as-tested condition that ages. Immersion deeper or longer than 1 m for 30 minutes needs IP68, whose depth and time are set by the manufacturer.
IP67 at a glance
| Property | IP67 |
|---|---|
| First digit (solids) | 6 - dust-tight |
| Second digit (water) | 7 - temporary immersion |
| Immersion depth | 1 m (to bottom of enclosure) |
| Immersion time | 30 minutes |
| High-pressure jets | Not covered unless separately tested |
| Deeper / longer immersion | Needs IP68 (manufacturer-defined) |
IP65 vs IP67
This is a jets-versus-immersion comparison, not simply a higher number. IP65 is dust-tight and resists low-pressure water jets (a 6.3 mm nozzle at 12.5 litres per minute), which suits outdoor enclosures and rain. IP67 is dust-tight and resists temporary immersion to 1 m for 30 minutes.
Because jets and immersion are different tests, neither rating implies the other. An IP65 enclosure sprayed by a hose may not survive being submerged, and an IP67 device that survives a dunk may leak under a pressure washer. Choose IP65 for sprayed or rained-on gear and IP67 where brief submersion is the real risk.
Frequently asked questions
Is IP67 waterproof?
Can I take an IP67 phone swimming or in the shower?
What is the difference between IP67 and IP68?
Does IP67 protect against high-pressure water?
What is the NEMA equivalent of IP67?
Related
Sources: IEC 60529 (IEC Webstore) · IEC: IP ratings. An overview for design reference - verify against the current edition before relying on it for compliance.