IP56 vs IP65
Head-to-head comparison of two IEC 60529 ingress protection ratings.
IP56 and IP65 are both IEC 60529 ingress protection codes, but they differ in solid-object protection (level 5 vs 6) and liquid protection (level 6 vs 5). IP56 is rated for dust-protected and powerful water jets (12.5 mm nozzle), while IP65 provides dust-tight and water jets (6.3 mm nozzle).
IP56 is dust-protected and resists powerful water jets (12.5 mm nozzle, 100 kPa). Suited to outdoor equipment subjected to heavy rain or hose-directed water.
IP65 is dust-tight and resists low-pressure water jets (6.3 mm nozzle, 30 kPa). It is the most common standard for fully exposed outdoor electronics such as lighting, cameras, and EV chargers.
Detailed comparison
The stronger rating on each row is highlighted in emerald.
Solid protection (first digit)
IP56
5 — Dust-Protected
IP65
6 — Dust-Tight
Liquid protection (second digit)
IP56
6 — Powerful Water Jets (12.5 mm nozzle)
IP65
5 — Water Jets (6.3 mm nozzle)
Dust-tight
IP56
Limited
IP65
Yes
Water-jet resistant
IP56
Yes
IP65
Yes
Submersible
IP56
No
IP65
No
Outdoor suitable
IP56
Yes
IP65
Yes
The exact difference (IP56 vs IP65)
Solid protection
IP56
Level 5 — Dust-Protected
IP65
Level 6 — Dust-Tight
IP56 provides "Dust-Protected" (level 5), while IP65 provides "Dust-Tight" (level 6). IP65 is 1 level higher.
Liquid protection
IP56
Level 6 — Powerful Water Jets (12.5 mm nozzle)
IP65
Level 5 — Water Jets (6.3 mm nozzle)
IP56 handles 100 kPa (Powerful Water Jets (12.5 mm nozzle)), while IP65 handles 30 kPa (Water Jets (6.3 mm nozzle)). IP56 provides 1 level more liquid protection.
NEMA equivalents
No direct NEMA equivalent.
Recommendation
IP56 and IP65 offer comparable overall protection; choose based on the specific protection dimension (dust vs. water) that matters most for your application.