IP55 vs IP64
Head-to-head comparison of two IEC 60529 ingress protection ratings.
IP55 and IP64 are both IEC 60529 ingress protection codes, but they differ in solid-object protection (level 5 vs 6) and liquid protection (level 5 vs 4). IP55 is rated for dust-protected and water jets (6.3 mm nozzle), while IP64 provides dust-tight and splashing water (all directions).
IP55 is dust-protected and resists low-pressure water jets (6.3 mm nozzle, 30 kPa). A popular industrial rating for equipment exposed to dust and directed water spray but not immersion.
IP64 is dust-tight and resists splashing water from any direction. A solid outdoor-covered rating combining complete dust exclusion with splash tolerance, sitting between IP65 (jets) and IP54 (dust-protected).
Detailed comparison
The stronger rating on each row is highlighted in emerald.
Solid protection (first digit)
IP55
5 — Dust-Protected
IP64
6 — Dust-Tight
Liquid protection (second digit)
IP55
5 — Water Jets (6.3 mm nozzle)
IP64
4 — Splashing Water (all directions)
Dust-tight
IP55
Limited
IP64
Yes
Water-jet resistant
IP55
Yes
IP64
No
Submersible
IP55
No
IP64
No
Outdoor suitable
IP55
Yes
IP64
Yes
The exact difference (IP55 vs IP64)
Solid protection
IP55
Level 5 — Dust-Protected
IP64
Level 6 — Dust-Tight
IP55 provides "Dust-Protected" (level 5), while IP64 provides "Dust-Tight" (level 6). IP64 is 1 level higher.
Liquid protection
IP55
Level 5 — Water Jets (6.3 mm nozzle)
IP64
Level 4 — Splashing Water (all directions)
IP55 handles 30 kPa (Water Jets (6.3 mm nozzle)), while IP64 handles 50–100 kPa (Splashing Water (all directions)). IP55 provides 1 level more liquid protection.
NEMA equivalents
No direct NEMA equivalent.
No direct NEMA equivalent.
Recommendation
IP55 and IP64 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection dimension (dust vs. water) that matters most for your application.