IP67 vs IP68 Explained (And Why Most Cases Have Neither)

Updated July 2026 · By AntiShockCase TeamSpecs verified

Quick answer: IP67 means fully dust-tight and survives 1 metre of static water for 30 minutes — a fixed, identical test for everyone. IP68 means dust-tight and survives water beyond 1 metre, at a depth and duration the manufacturer chooses — so IP68 is at least as good as IP67, but by an amount the maker defines, not a fixed standard. And here’s the catch most buyers miss: the vast majority of shockproof cases carry no IP rating at all. Sealed waterproofing is mostly a hard-case feature.

The IP code (from the IEC 60529 standard) is the one number on the box that’s precisely defined — unlike “military-grade,” which means almost nothing on its own.

What the two digits mean

An IP rating is always two digits, like IP67:

First digit — solids. Scale 0–6. 6 is the maximum: fully dust-tight. Almost every case worth buying that’s rated at all is a 6.
Second digit — liquids. Scale 0–9. This is where 7 and 8 differ.

So IP67 and IP68 are both fully dust-tight. The difference is entirely in the water digit.

IP67 — the fixed standard

7 = immersion in up to 1 metre of water for 30 minutes. These conditions are written into the standard, so IP67 means the same thing on every product. If a case is IP67, you know exactly what it survived: a metre of still water, half an hour. That covers every rainstorm, a dropped-in-a-puddle moment, or a riverbank slip.

IP68 — “better,” but manufacturer-defined

8 = immersion beyond 1 metre, under conditions the manufacturer specifies. The standard hands the depth and duration to the maker. One IP68 product might be tested to 1.5 m for 30 minutes; another to 6 m for an hour. Both are “IP68.” So IP68 is genuinely at least as good as IP67 — but how much better is in the fine print, not the label. Always check the stated depth.

The part nobody tells you: most cases have neither

Here’s the reality for shockproof phone and tablet cases: most carry no IP rating at all. A rugged case can be superb at absorbing drops and still offer zero certified water protection — the two are different jobs. Sealed IP-rated waterproofing is mainly a hard-case feature (drone and camera transport cases), which is where you’ll see IP67 quoted honestly. If a slim phone case claims “waterproof” with no IP number, treat it as marketing.

And one more trap: a phone’s own IP rating doesn’t transfer to the case. An IP68 phone inside an unsealed rugged case is still just an IP68 phone — the case adds drop protection, not water protection.

Where sealed IP67 hard cases actually live: our drone carrying cases guide.

FAQ

Is IP68 always better than IP67?

At least equal, and usually better — but by a margin the manufacturer defines. Check the stated depth and time; “IP68” alone doesn’t tell you how deep.

Does IP67 mean I can take it swimming?

It means it survives 1 m for 30 minutes of static water. Swimming adds motion and pressure, and pool chemicals aren’t covered. Treat IP67 as splash-and-submersion insurance, not a dive rating.

Why do most shockproof cases have no IP rating?

Because drop protection and water sealing are separate engineering problems. Rating for water requires gaskets and sealed ports that most slim rugged cases don’t have. Read the box: no IP number means no certified water protection.