Sand-covered hand wearing an orange smartwatch in front of the ocean
A sandy wrist and a smartwatch by the ocean. IP68 covers the dust and sand, while an ATM rating tells you whether the watch can handle swimming and water sports. Photo: Victor Larracuente on Unsplash.

Many wearables list two ratings side by side, such as “IP68 and 5 ATM” or “10 ATM and IP6X.” They are not two ways of saying the same thing. IP68 vs 10 ATM is really a comparison between a dust and immersion standard and a water pressure standard, and each answers a different question.

What IP68 Means

IP stands for Ingress Protection under the IEC 60529 standard. The two digits are separate scores.

  • First digit (6): dust-tight, the highest solid-particle rating.
  • Second digit (8): protected against continuous immersion deeper than 1 meter, with the exact depth and time set by the manufacturer (often 1.5 meters for 30 minutes).

IP68 is measured in still water. It says nothing about the pressure of swimming strokes or jumping into a pool.

What 10 ATM Means

ATM ratings follow water resistance standards such as ISO 22810. A 10 ATM watch is built for pressure equal to about 100 meters of still water. In practice that covers swimming, snorkeling and most surface water sports, but not scuba diving.

For the everyday meaning of the lower rating, see our guide on what 5 ATM means.

IP68 vs 10 ATM Compared

This table shows what each rating does and does not tell you.

Question IP68 10 ATM
Dust and sand protection Yes, dust-tight Not covered
Rain and splashes Yes Yes
Pool swimming Not designed for it Yes
Snorkeling and surfing No Yes
Scuba diving No No, needs a dive rating

Why Many Wearables List Both

Since each rating covers a different risk, brands often pair them. A typical Galaxy Watch lists 5 ATM plus IP68, which means it handles swimming and is sealed against dust. Rugged models go further: Apple Watch Ultra pairs a 100-meter water resistance rating with IP6X dust protection and an EN13319 dive certification. Our Apple Watch Ultra 3 review covers that setup in detail.

Quick answer: if you swim, look for an ATM rating first. If you spend time at the beach, in the desert or on dusty trails, check for an IP6X dust rating too.

Which Rating Matters for Your Activities

  • Office and gym: IP68 or 5 ATM is plenty.
  • Pool laps: 5 ATM minimum.
  • Open water, surfing, kayaking: 10 ATM is safer.
  • Beach and trail running: add IP6X for sand and dust.
  • Scuba: only EN13319 dive-certified watches.

How to Keep Ratings Reliable

  1. Rinse the watch in fresh water after salt water, chlorine or sand.
  2. Avoid hot tubs, saunas and soapy water, which wear down seals.
  3. Do not charge the watch while it is wet.
  4. Have a dropped or cracked watch checked before swimming with it again.

Our guide on how to clean your smartwatch covers safe rinsing and drying.

Final Thoughts

IP68 vs 10 ATM is not a contest, because the ratings measure different things. IP68 confirms dust protection and brief submersion, while 10 ATM confirms the watch can handle swimming and water sports. The best rugged wearables carry both.

Explore more plain-English spec guides in our features explained section.

FAQs

Can I swim with an IP68 smartwatch?

Only if it also has an ATM rating. IP68 alone is designed for brief submersion, not the pressure of swimming.

Is 10 ATM enough for scuba diving?

No, scuba needs an EN13319 dive certification. 10 ATM suits snorkeling and surface water sports.

Does 10 ATM protect against dust?

No, ATM ratings only cover water. Look for IP6X for dust and sand protection.

Do water ratings last forever?

No, seals age and can be damaged by heat or impact. Treat older watches more carefully around water.