Our rule of thumb, by position: IP44 under a porch roof or canopy; IP44 or better on an open wall that takes driving rain, with IP65 our pick for a compact modern fitting on the most exposed wall; IP65 for spike lights at ground level and IP67 for anything set into the ground; and a purpose-made fitting beside or in a water feature. Those are our starting points, not regulations. The deciding check is the maker's installation conditions for that exact fitting.
Two facts sit under that rule. IP44 and IP54 share the same water digit, so both are tested against splashing from any direction; IP65 adds dust-tightness and a water-jet test. And an IP44 lantern is a proper outdoor light: Of the 230 outdoor lanterns live on our site on 19 October 2026, 202 are IP44 or IP54 and none is IP65.
One customer told us in October that choosing between IP44 and IP65 nearly stopped their order, until our sales team answered it by phone. The light they bought, the Astro Dartmouth Twin GU10 in textured black (£49.55, checked 19 October 2026), is IP54: a third number, and the guide below explains why it is a perfectly good one where its maker approves it.
Which IP rating for which position?
This is our rule of thumb, built from what the codes test and from what makers list their fittings for. It gives you a starting rating. The maker's datasheet or instructions decide whether the exact fitting can go there.
| Where the light goes | Where we would start | Our reasoning | The check that decides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under a porch roof, a canopy or a deep overhang | IP44. IP23 only where the maker's instructions allow it and rain cannot blow in | Rain reaches the fitting as blown spray, not a direct soaking | The maker's location line, and how rain blows in from the open sides |
| An open wall that takes driving rain | IP44 or better, listed by its maker for exterior wall mounting. IP65 for a compact modern fitting on the most exposed wall | Outdoor lanterns are designed for this. IP65 adds the jet test, a margin we like where a wall faces the weather | Exterior location and mounting orientation on the datasheet: many are upright only |
| A soffit, porch ceiling or canopy underside | IP65, listed for exterior ceiling mounting | Wind can carry rain under the eaves and onto the underside of the fitting | Ceiling mounting and exterior use both listed by the maker |
| Ground level: beds, lawns and path edges | IP65 for spike lights. Posts and bollards as their maker approves; many are IP44 | Wet soil, splash-back and the garden hose all arrive at ground level | Spike or surface mounting listed, and outdoor-rated cable connections |
| Set into the ground or decking | IP67, designed for recessed ground installation | Water can pool over the top, which is immersion rather than rain | Drainage beneath, and a load rating if anyone will drive or stand on it |
| Beside or in a pond or water feature | Beside: IP65 at least, clear of the splash. In the water: a purpose-made underwater fitting | IP68 depth and duration are set by each maker, so the code alone settles nothing | The maker's stated depth and conditions, and a registered electrician's design |
| Within five miles of the sea | Any of the above, from a fitting its maker approves for the coast | Salt attacks materials and finishes, a separate question from water getting in | The coastal line on the datasheet |
Two Astro datasheets show why the last column wins. The Dartmouth Single datasheet rates it IP54 and says it can be installed within five miles of the coast. The Mast datasheet rates it IP65 and says it is not suitable within five miles of the coast. The higher number is on the fitting that cannot go by the sea.
What do the two IP numbers mean?
An IP code describes an enclosure's tested protection against ingress. The first digit concerns solids and dust; the second concerns water. They are two separate tests, and they describe defined test conditions, not a promise of unlimited weather resistance or service life. The definitions below follow DigiKey's IP code table and Schneider Electric's IP explainer.
| Rating | Solids and dust | Water protection described by the code |
|---|---|---|
| IP23 | Objects of 12.5mm and larger | Spraying water up to 60 degrees from vertical |
| IP43 | Objects of 1mm and larger | Spraying water up to 60 degrees from vertical |
| IP44 | Objects of 1mm and larger | Splashing water from any direction |
| IP54 | Dust protected | Splashing water from any direction |
| IP55 | Dust protected | Water jets |
| IP65 | Dust-tight | Water jets |
| IP66 | Dust-tight | Powerful water jets |
| IP67 | Dust-tight | Temporary immersion under the specified test conditions |
| IP68 | Dust-tight | Immersion under conditions specified by the manufacturer |
IP54 is not a higher rain rating than IP44: both end in 4. Its first digit adds dust protection. The step from a water digit of 4 to 5 changes the test from splashes to jets, and that is the step that matters outdoors. It does not turn IP65 into pressure-washer approval.
Immersion and jets are different tests too. A fitting rated IPX7 is not necessarily protected against jets; one that has passed both can be marked with both, such as IPX5/IPX7 (summary of IEC 60529). Where an X replaces a digit, no rating has been given for that criterion (Ledvance). Check the maker's specification rather than assuming either failure or full protection. For the head-to-head of the two most common numbers, see IP65 against IP44.
Is IP44 suitable outside?
Yes, where its maker approves it for that position. IP44 is the rating of most outdoor lanterns, traditional and coastal alike, and it does not mean 'indoors only'. It is not a legal minimum for outdoor lights either: there is no single legal IP number for every outdoor fitting. The maker's instructions and the wiring standard your electrician works to, BS 7671, set the conditions.
The Astro Richmond 235 in textured black (£154.95, checked 19 October 2026) is the lantern in the photograph at the top of this guide: IP44, stainless steel, 276mm high and 236mm wide, taking one E27 lamp up to 60W. Astro's datasheet lists it for exterior wall mounting and for use within five miles of the coast. Nothing on that sheet confines it to a porch. From Elstead, the Norfolk half lantern in black (£48.45, checked 19 October 2026) is IP44 cast aluminium with leaded glass, 359mm high and 125mm deep, and Elstead lists it for exterior use. It sits flat to the wall, which suits a narrow side return.
The Astro Dartmouth Single GU10 in textured black (£32.90, checked 19 October 2026) takes a separate GU10 LED up to 6W and is rated IP54. It has the same water digit as IP44, with greater dust protection. Read its instructions for the intended position rather than treating IP54 as the answer for every wall.
Where would we look beyond IP44? In the ground, beside water, and for a modern fitting on the most exposed wall, where IP65 costs little more: the IP65 Mast below is £16.35 more than the Dartmouth Single on today's prices. Browse outdoor lanterns or the wider outdoor wall lights and read the IP and location line on each.
When would we choose IP65?
For a very exposed position, an outdoor fitting approved for that exposure and rated IP65 is a useful starting shortlist. It offers dust-tightness and jet resistance. The complete product and its installation still matter: cable entries, seals and orientation must follow the instructions.
The Astro Mast in textured black IP65 (£49.25, checked 19 October 2026) is a compact downward wall light, 135mm high and 85mm wide, taking a GU10 LED up to 6W. The antique brass IP65 version (£68.25, checked 19 October 2026) is the same shape for a warmer scheme. Both are listed by Astro for vertical wall mounting outdoors, and neither is for the coast: the datasheet rules out installation within five miles of it. The ceramic and concrete Mast Coastal versions are different products; do not transfer one version's material, rating or guarantee to another.
For a soffit or canopy, the Astro Kos II in matt white IP65 (£45.95, checked 19 October 2026) is an 85mm surface cylinder that takes a separate GU10 LED; its datasheet lists ceiling mounting, out of arm's reach, for interior or exterior use. The Kos Round 100 in textured black IP65 (£82.80, checked 19 October 2026) has an integrated LED with a listed 316 lumens at 3000K, and Astro gives it leading and trailing edge dimming. Check mounting orientation, dimmer compatibility and replaceability for the exact model.
Why are some porch lanterns IP23?
Some outdoor lanterns are made for sheltered positions. Fourteen of the outdoor lanterns live on our site today are listed as IP23. The Astro Richmond 200 porch lantern (£207.95, checked 19 October 2026) is one: 316mm tall, 200mm wide and 251mm deep in mild steel, taking an E27 bulb. Astro's datasheet lists it as exterior and IP23; the IP23 spray test is why we keep it to a covered porch. Choose it for a position the maker approves, and check how rain reaches the fitting from the open sides of the porch, not just whether a roof exists above it. The same datasheet rules it out within five miles of the coast.
Shelter is not something a fixed measurement guarantees, and IP23 does not cover splashes from every direction. Likewise a sealed fitting can still have clear glass and a replaceable bulb: neither a lantern's looks nor how easy it is to relamp is set by the IP number.
Our view: if your door sits in a proper porch with sides, an IP23 lantern is a fair choice. Under a shallow canopy we would buy the IP44 Richmond 235 instead, a flatter wall version that is £53.00 cheaper today. For the size and mounting height against your door, see our guide to front door lights, and for the full range, porch lighting.
What about ground lights, decking and water features?
Check for a product explicitly designed for recessed ground installation. Temporary pooling, permanent immersion, drainage, cable joints and traffic loads are separate issues. IP67 is often relevant to temporary immersion, but it does not authorise permanent flooding or driving over a light.
The Astro Cromarty 100 ground light in brushed stainless steel (£116.61, checked 19 October 2026) is IP67 with an integrated 9W LED of 510 lumens. Its datasheet lists ground or floor installation, a 98mm cut-out and a 155mm recess depth. It does not give a load rating, so we would keep it to path edges and borders rather than where a wheel lands, unless the maker confirms otherwise. For drives and paths, our driveway and garden path guide covers bollards, posts and spacing, and ground lights has the range.
For underwater use, choose a purpose-made fitting for the stated depth and conditions, with the correct supply and installation design. IP68 on an enclosure alone is not permission to put it in a pond or swimming pool. A fitting beside water is not necessarily immersed, either: assess the actual position and the rules that apply there.
Use a registered electrician for the design and mains installation. Do not treat a higher code as a substitute for drainage or suitable outdoor connections.
Does a coastal light need a higher IP rating?
Salt corrosion is a separate question from water ingress. A coastal-approved IP44 fitting may be more appropriate than a non-coastal IP65 fitting, but one code or material cannot guarantee which will last longer. The Richmond family shows it neatly: Astro clears the IP44 stainless Richmond 235 for use within five miles of the coast and rules out the IP23 mild steel Richmond 200. Check the precise model's material, permitted exposure, care and warranty. Our coastal lighting guide covers 316 stainless, brass, copper, galvanised steel and non-metal bodies.
What else should you check?
- Electrical class. Class I fittings need an earth connection; Class II fittings use double insulation. The Mast is Class I and the Kos Round 100 is Class II. The electrician must follow the exact product's instructions.
- Installation. The claimed enclosure protection depends on correct assembly, the listed mounting orientation and intact seals.
- Bulb suitability. Check the cap, actual wattage, dimensions and any enclosed-fitting restrictions. The Dartmouth Single's datasheet gives a maximum lamp length of 58mm, which rules out some longer GU10s. Our guide to bulbs for a new light covers caps and sizes.
- Cleaning. Keep pressure washers away unless the maker expressly permits that method. Astro's care and cleaning guide says not to use them on any Astro product, and asks for exterior fittings to be cleaned every six months, or at least four times a year in coastal or polluted sites.
- Controls. A motion sensor has its own settings and its own position rules, separate from the IP rating; our PIR security light guide covers them.
- Environment. Corrosion, temperature and impact resistance are not established by IP alone.
We recommend a registered electrician for mains outdoor lighting. Not every outdoor alteration is legally notifiable, and requirements vary by country and the work involved. Our driveway and path guide explains the distinction. For bathroom zones, use the bathroom lighting zones guide, with the exact installation requirements; outdoor suitability cannot be copied across to a bathroom. If you are unsure whether a fitting suits your spot, tell us the exact position and we will check the maker's paperwork with you.
The short version
- Our rule of thumb: IP44 under a porch or canopy, IP44 or better on an open wall, IP65 for a modern fitting on the most exposed wall and for spike lights, IP67 set into the ground.
- The maker's installation conditions decide. The IP code is a starting point, not a permission slip.
- IP44 and IP54 share the water digit. IP54 adds dust protection, not rain protection.
- IP65 adds a jet test. It is not approval to pressure-wash, and Astro says never to on any of its products.
- IP23 porch lanterns are real outdoor products. We keep them to a covered porch, within the maker's instructions.
- By the sea, look for the coastal line on the datasheet. An IP54 fitting can be coastal and an IP65 one not.
- There is no single legal IP minimum for outdoor lights. Use a registered electrician for mains work.
Frequently asked questions
Is IP44 OK for outdoor use?
Yes, where its maker approves it for that position. Most outdoor wall lanterns are IP44, including coastal ones, and they are designed to be fitted outside. Our rule of thumb adds IP65 for a compact modern fitting on the most exposed wall, and IP67 for anything set into the ground.
Is IP54 more waterproof than IP44?
No. The water digit is the same: 4 means splash protection. IP54 adds dust protection. Check the complete product's permitted position rather than inferring different rain exposure from the first digit.
Is IP65 enough for heavy rain?
An outdoor light rated IP65 and approved for the installation is a useful choice for exposed weather. The rating does not remove the need to follow the instructions or keep seals intact.
Can I pressure-wash an IP65 light?
Do not assume so. The IP65 jet test is not general approval for pressure washing. Follow the maker's cleaning instructions; Astro, for one, says not to use pressure washers on any of its products.
What IP rating do I need for a light under a porch?
We would start at IP44. An IP23 lantern is fine in a covered porch where its maker's instructions allow it and rain cannot blow in from the open sides. Under a shallow canopy, treat it as an open wall.
Does IP68 mean waterproof forever?
No. It specifies immersion under conditions the manufacturer defines. It does not establish an unlimited lifetime, suitability for every liquid or approval for any underwater installation.
Is there a legal minimum IP rating for outdoor lights?
Not a single number for every outdoor fitting. The maker's instructions and the wiring standard, BS 7671, govern how and where it is installed, which is a job for a registered electrician.
