IP65 vs IP67 vs IP68 Waterproof Scales: Which Rating Do You Really Need?

You see IP ratings on waterproof scales, but the numbers are confusing. You worry about paying too much for protection you don't need, or worse, buying a scale that fails in your wet environment.An IP rating tells you exactly how protected a scale is against dust and water. Choosing the right one means you get a scale that survives your specific work conditions and lasts for years, saving you from costly downtime and replacements.These numbers, like IP65, IP67, and IP68, aren't complicated when you know what they mean. The first digit refers to protection against solids (like dust), and the second digit refers to protection against liquids (water). Since most industrial scales are a '6' for solids (meaning totally dust-tight), the real difference comes down to that second digit for water.

Before we delve into In-depth discussion, here is a simple chart to quickly see the differences.

When is an IP65 rating enough protection?

You need to clean your scales, but you aren't pressure-washing them. Paying for a fully submersible scale feels like a waste of money that could be used elsewhere in your business.

An IP65 rating is perfect for environments requiring regular cleaning with low-pressure water, like a standard hose. It provides complete protection from dust and light washdowns without the extra cost of submersion-proof features you don't need.

This exact situation came up with a client who runs a small bakery. Their workstations get covered in flour (a fine dust) every day, and they need to wash down the scales at closing time. The owner was about to buy an expensive IP68 scale because he thought "waterproof is waterproof." I asked him to show me his cleaning process. His staff was just using a simple spray nozzle on a hose to rinse off the dough and flour. They were not using a high-pressure jet, and the scales were never, ever going to be dunked in a sink. I explained that IP65 was designed for exactly this. The '6' means it's completely sealed against flour dust, and the '5' means it can easily handle the low-pressure water jets from his hose. By choosing the right IP65 scale, he saved nearly 40% of his equipment budget. That money went toward a new dough mixer he needed. It's a perfect example of matching the tool to the job instead of overpaying for features you will never use.

Do you need IP67 for heavy washdowns?

Your work environment is tough, with aggressive cleaning routines. You worry that a basic waterproof scale will fail when faced with high-pressure sprays or pools of standing water on the floor.

Yes, IP67 is the right choice for harsh, wet environments. It handles not only high-pressure jets but also temporary submersion, making it ideal for food processing, chemical plants, and any area where scales might sit in water.

I once consulted for a large fish processing plant, which is one of the toughest environments for any piece of electronic equipment. At the end of each shift, the entire facility is sprayed down with high-pressure hoses to maintain hygiene. The floors are constantly covered in water, ice, and fish slime. An IP65 scale would not survive a single shift here. The high-pressure jets would force water past its seals. For their main processing line, we chose IP67-rated scales. This rating ensures the scales can withstand the intense daily washdowns. More importantly, it protects them from accidental submersion. For example, a small scale at the de-scaling station could easily get knocked into a tub of water. An IP67 rating means that if a worker fishes it out within 30 minutes, the scale will be completely fine. It’s a level of protection that provides peace of mind. It turns the scale from a fragile instrument into a durable tool that can handle the realities of a tough industrial job.

Is an IP68 rating ever worth the extra cost?

Your project requires a scale to be underwater for long periods. Anything less than the best protection feels like a guaranteed failure, but the high price of IP68 makes you hesitate.

IP68 is absolutely worth it when a scale must operate while continuously submerged. It is specifically designed for underwater applications where IP67's 30-minute limit is not enough, making it essential for certain scientific and industrial tasks.

we once worked with a dairy plant. their filling line’s CIP cleaning (high-temperature acid/alkali) often left scales soaked. They hesitated to pay for IP68, trying IP67 first, but its seals gave out in 3 days, causing weighing errors that ruined $50k of milk batches. We recommended our IP68 scale, built to resist acid/alkali and 1.2m submersion. It ran smoothly through weekly cleanings, and the client said the extra cost was nothing next to avoiding reworks—IP68 didn’t just work, it protected their production line.

Conclusion

Choosing the right IP rating is simple. Match the rating to your water exposure: light cleaning (IP65), heavy washdowns (IP67), or permanent submersion (IP68). This ensures a reliable scale that lasts.