Bathroom Lighting: Which IP Rating Do You Need?

In the bathroom, the minimum IP rating is set by zone: IPX7 inside the bath or shower (zone 0), at least IPX4 above the bath or shower up to 2.25 m (zone 1) and in the 60 cm band around them (zone 2). Outside these zones, the standard does not require a specific IP rating, but for lighting above or near the basin we still recommend IP44, because of splashes and steam. In practice, many manufacturers recommend IP65 for fittings mounted directly above the shower.

Choosing light fixtures for the bathroom is not just a matter of looks, but of safety too. High humidity and water close to the electrical installation make the bathroom one of the most sensitive rooms in the home.

What the IP rating means

The IP rating (Ingress Protection) shows how well an electrical device is protected against the ingress of solid objects and water. It is defined by the IEC 60529 standard and has two digits:

• the first digit (0–6) – protection against solid objects and dust;
• the second digit (0–9) – protection against water.

A few examples you will come across often on bathroom lights:

• IP20 – protected against objects larger than 12.5 mm (fingers), with no protection against water. Suitable only outside the wet zones.
• IP44 – protected against objects larger than 1 mm and against splashing water from any direction.
• IP65 – dust-tight and protected against water jets.
• IP67 – dust-tight and protected against temporary immersion (tested at no more than 1 m, for 30 minutes).
• IP68 – dust-tight and protected against continuous immersion, under the conditions declared by the manufacturer.

The letter X (for example IPX4) means that category has not been tested. For the bathroom, it is above all the second digit, the one for water, that matters.

Bathroom safety zones and the minimum IP rating

The international standard for electrical installations in rooms with a bath or shower, IEC 60364-7-701, divides the bathroom into three zones, depending on how close they are to water. The table below shows where each zone begins and ends, and what protection the light fixtures installed there must have.

Zone	Where it is	Minimum IP (IEC 60364-7-701)	Our recommendation	Other conditions
Zone 0	Inside the bath or shower tray, up to their rim	IPX7	IP67 or IP68	Safety extra-low voltage only (no more than 12 V AC or 30 V DC), with the power supply installed outside zones 0 and 1
Zone 1	Above the bath or shower, up to 2.25 m from the floor. For a shower without a tray: 1.20 m around the point where the water comes out	IPX4 (IPX5 where water jets are used for cleaning)	IP65	Circuit protected by a 30 mA RCD
Zone 2	A 60 cm band around zone 1, up to a height of 2.25 m	IPX4	IP44 or higher	Circuit protected by a 30 mA RCD
Outside the zones	The rest of the bathroom, including the basin wall, if it does not fall within zone 2	No specific requirement	IP44 near the basin and in bathrooms without a window; IP20 only well away from water	All bathroom circuits protected by a 30 mA RCD

Zone 0 – inside the bath or shower

Here the light fixture may end up under water, so it must be watertight: a minimum of IPX7, in practice IP67 or IP68. In addition, only safety extra-low voltage is used, with the transformer installed outside zones 0 and 1. This is not a zone for improvising: the design and installation are carried out by a qualified electrician.

Zone 1 – above the bath or shower

Zone 1 extends above the bath or shower up to 2.25 m from the floor. The standard requires a minimum of IPX4, but for spotlights in the shower ceiling, where the water jet and steam reach them directly, we recommend IP65. In showers without a tray (walk-in showers), zone 1 extends 1.20 m around the point where the water comes out; a fixed glass panel can limit it, a curtain cannot.

Zone 2 – the 60 cm band around the bath or shower

Zone 2 covers a 60 cm band around zone 1, again up to a height of 2.25 m. Here you need at least IPX4, meaning protection against splashes. This is the typical zone for wall lights beside the bath or for mirrors mounted close to the shower.

Lighting above the basin and in the rest of the bathroom

An important clarification compared with the previous version of this article: in IEC 60364-7-701, the zones are measured around the bath and shower, not around the basin. The basin does not create a zone of its own. If it is less than 60 cm from zone 1, it falls within zone 2 and needs a minimum of IPX4. If it is further away, the standard does not impose an IP rating. Even so, water splashes and steam condenses on the mirror, so for wall lights and LED bathroom mirrors above the basin we recommend IP44. Likewise, the old "zone 3" no longer exists in current editions of the standard: beyond zone 2, the bathroom is treated as "outside the zones".

With integrated LED mirrors, the IP rating varies from model to model, so check it on the technical data sheet before you choose where to mount it.

Which light fixtures to choose for each zone

• The ceiling above the shower (zone 1): recessed spotlights or sealed ceiling lights, IP65.
• The wall beside the bath (zone 2): wall lights rated at least IP44.
• Above the basin: wall lights or an LED mirror, ideally IP44, with light that falls evenly on the face, not just from above.
• General lighting, away from water: ceiling lights or spotlights suitable for bathrooms; if the bathroom has no window and steam lingers, choose IP44 here too.

For design ideas, read our article on bathroom lighting, and for the rest of the fit-out, browse our bathroom furniture collection.

Why the right IP rating matters in the bathroom

Light fixtures with the right IP protection prevent electrical accidents, do not fail prematurely because of damp and work properly even when the bathroom is full of steam. Besides the IP rating, the rules for bathrooms also require 30 mA residual-current protection for the bathroom circuits, and ordinary sockets and switches are not installed in zones 0, 1 and 2. In Romania, electrical installations are designed and carried out in accordance with the I7 regulation, so discuss the specific zones of your bathroom with a qualified electrician before fixing where the lights will go.

Frequently asked questions

What IP rating should a bathroom light have?

It depends on the zone: IPX7 in the bath or shower, a minimum of IPX4 above them and in the 60 cm band around them. In practice, IP65 above the shower and IP44 beside the bath and basin.

What does IP65 mean and where do I use it in the bathroom?

IP65 means dust-tight and protected against water jets. It is the right choice for spotlights and ceiling lights mounted directly above the shower or bath.

Is IP44 enough for a bathroom?

Yes, for zone 2 and for the basin area. Above the shower, where the water jet reaches, IP65 is safer, even though the standard requires a minimum of IPX4.

When do I need IP67 or IP68 in the bathroom?

Only for fittings installed inside the bath or shower (zone 0), where they may end up under water. Safety extra-low voltage is also used there.

What do IP25 or IP58 mean?

IP25: protected against objects larger than 12.5 mm and against water jets. IP58: dust-protected (without being fully dust-tight) and protected against continuous immersion. Both codes are rare on bathroom lights; the usual ones are IP44, IP65 and IP67.

When choosing bathroom lighting, start from the zone where it will be installed, then choose the design. If you need help matching light fixtures to your bathroom, the Yoda Home Design team can guide you.