ANSI Safety Glasses Standard Z87 | What The Markings Actually Mean

The ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2025 standard defines impact, splash, and radiation protection levels for safety eyewear, with markings like Z87+ for high-impact certification.

Every pair of safety glasses in a US workplace carries markings tied to the ANSI Safety Glasses Standard Z87, but the actual governing document is ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2025 — a technical standard that spells out impact levels, splash protection, and radiation filtering through a system of code letters you can read on the lens or frame. Most people know the “Z87” stamp means the glasses passed a basic drop test. The rest of the marking system — the plus sign, the D codes, the W for welding — tells a much more specific story about what that pair can actually handle.

What Is The ANSI Z87.1 Safety Glasses Standard?

It sets performance, testing, and marking requirements for safety glasses, goggles, face shields, welding helmets, and side shields used in US workplaces and schools. OSHA regulations require employers to provide eyewear that meets this standard, making it the de facto legal benchmark for eye protection in American industry.

What Do The ANSI Z87.1 Lens Markings Mean?

Every compliant pair of safety glasses carries a set of stamped codes — usually on the inner sidearm and sometimes on the lens itself. These codes tell you the impact rating, any special protections (splash, dust, welding), and whether the lenses filter UV or infrared light. The table below breaks down every marking you are likely to see.

How Does Basic Impact Differ From High Impact?

The difference between Z87 and Z87+ is not marketing — it is a fundamentally harder battery of tests. Basic impact (Z87) requires a 1-inch steel ball weighing about 2.4 ounces to be dropped from 50 inches onto the lens; the lens and frame must not fracture or detach. High impact (Z87+) adds a high mass test where a 500-gram weight drops from 5 feet, plus a high velocity test where a steel ball is fired at the lens at high speed. For heavy industry, machining, grinding, or any environment with flying debris, Z87+ is the appropriate standard. For assembly work, basic Z87 is often sufficient.

How To Verify Your Safety Glasses Are Compliant

Checking compliance takes about ten seconds and requires no tools. Look at the inner arm of the frame and the edge of the lens. You should see the manufacturer’s mark (a letter or logo) alongside the standard code. Confirm the presence of “Z87” for basic or “Z87+” for high impact. If you need splash or dust protection, check for D3, D4, or D5. For welding, look for a W followed by a shade number. If the glasses are prescription, verify “Z87-2” or “Z87-2+” is present — standard Z87.1 glasses without the -2 marking are not rated for prescription use. A good rule: any pair that carries only a generic “Z87” stamp with no manufacturer mark is suspect. Our tested roundup of the best ANSI Z87 polarized sunglasses can help you find verified options if you are shopping for a pair that combines impact protection with glare reduction.

What The Standard Does Not Cover

ANSI Z87.1 is a workplace and educational standard. It does not apply to sports or recreational eyewear — shooting glasses, ski goggles, and sports shields fall outside its scope. It also does not cover protection against bloodborne pathogens, X-rays, microwaves, lasers, or high-energy particulate radiation. Each of those hazards has its own dedicated standard. Knowing these exclusions matters because buying “safety glasses” off a rack at a hardware store does not guarantee protection for every scenario — the lenses may be impact-rated but useless against chemical splash or welding arc.

Common Mistakes When Interpreting ANSI Z87.1 Markings

• Calling it “Z87” instead of “Z87.1” — The standard is Z87.1, not Z87. The “Z87” marking on the lens is a compliance code, not the standard’s name.
• Confusing Z87 and Z87+ — Basic Z87 alone is not enough for high-impact hazards. Z87+ is required for grinding, chipping, and heavy machining.
• Ignoring the prescription marking — Non-prescription Z87.1 glasses do not count as prescription eye protection. Prescription users need Z87-2 or Z87-2+.
• Assuming it is a global standard — ANSI Z87.1 applies in the United States only. Europe uses EN 166; other regions have their own standards.
• Using an outdated version — The 2025 edition is current as of January 2026. Glasses stamped to older versions (2010, 2020) may still be compliant if they meet the tests, but the standard itself has been updated.

Basic vs High Impact Test Requirements

The table below summarizes the three physical tests that separate basic and high impact ratings. If your work involves projectiles, fragments, or falling objects, Z87+ is the safer choice.

For most buyers, the key takeaway is simple: if you work in an environment where something could fly at your face at speed, buy Z87+. If your main concern is low-impact dust or splash protection, Z87 with the appropriate D marking will serve you well. And always confirm the manufacturer’s mark is present — a legitimate pair always carries both the standard code and the manufacturer’s identifier.