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Safety Markings Guide
The tiny letters on safety glasses tell you exactly what they protect against. This guide decodes every one. Start with the three steps, then look up the marks for your job.
Start here
How to read your safety eyewear
Three steps decode the tiny letters so you know what a frame protects against.Three steps take you from “what are these tiny letters” to knowing exactly what a frame is built to protect against.
- 1
Find the marks
Look on the frame brow, the inside of both temples, and the upper outer corner of each lens. That's where the codes are stamped.
- 2
Read left to right
The maker's mark always comes first, then the impact rating, then any hazard codes. Each symbol adds one fact.
- 3
Match codes to your hazard
Use the color-coded categories below to look up exactly what your job's marks mean and whether they fit the task.
Where to look
- Frame front / brow: Manufacturer's mark plus the written Z87 (or Z87-2) compliance code, often across the brow bar above the lenses.
- Temple arms (inside): The same maker's mark and Z87 / Z87-2 code repeated on the inside of each temple, with frame measurements.
- Lens, upper outer corner: Usually just the maker's mark and a "+" for high impact. Filter or special codes show up here only if the lens actually has that feature.
Read a marking string
PS+ Z87-2+ D3
- PSManufacturer's mark: the maker's initials or logo, always first.
- +High-impact rated (this lens passed the high-velocity and high-mass tests).
- Z87-2+High-impact prescription (Rx) eyewear built to ANSI Z87.1.
- D3Adds droplet and splash protection.
These often sit across both parts: the maker's mark and "+" on the lens, the written Z87-2+ on the temple. The D3 only appears because this pair is splash-rated.
The one mark you can count onis the maker’s logo plus the impact rating. That’s the stamp that says the lens is safety rated. Every other code only appears when the lens or frame actually has that feature, so a plain impact lens may show little more than the maker’s mark and a “+”.
Opticians, safety managers, and the people wearing them should understand every mark. The trades listed on each one are simply where it matters most day to day.
Impact & Compliance Scope
The core marks that say the eyewear is genuinely safety-rated, who made it, and how hard an impact it's built to take. Read the string left to right: the maker's mark comes first, the Z87 codes follow.
This is the safety-approval stamp. Every Z87-rated lens carries the maker's mark (plus a "+" when it's high-impact), while the written Z87 / Z87-2 code sits on the frame. If a lens shows nothing more than these, it's still safety rated.
- Maker's mark
Manufacturer's mark
The maker's (or lab's) logo, initials, or monogram. It's always the first symbol in the marking string, and on a lens it's the core safety stamp.
Where: On the lens (the maker's logo is the lens's safety stamp), and on the frame front and both temples.Why it matters: It confirms a real, identifiable manufacturer stood behind the certification, so you can trace recalls and spot counterfeit or unmarked eyewear.Most relevant to
All trades - Z87
Basic impact
Meets the basic impact requirement of ANSI Z87.1, the baseline drop-ball test for everyday eye protection.
Where: Spelled out on the frame front and temples. On the lens, basic impact is shown simply by the maker's mark with no "+".Why it matters: It's the minimum proof the eyewear is a true safety product, not regular dress eyewear. Many jobs require more than basic impact.Most relevant to
Light assemblyGeneral facilitiesMaintenance - Z87+
High impact
Meets the high-impact requirement: the lens withstands a ¼-inch steel ball fired at 150 ft/s plus a high-mass drop test. The "+" is the high-impact flag.
Where: On the lens it's the "+" right after the maker's mark; on the frame it's part of the Z87+ / Z87-2+ code.Why it matters: High-impact tasks (grinding, machining, construction, working around flying fragments) typically require the "+". Basic Z87 alone isn't enough.Most relevant to
ConstructionMachining & grindingFabrication - Z87-2
Prescription (Rx)
Identifies prescription safety eyewear built to ANSI Z87.1. The "-2" tells you the corrective frame itself is rated, not just a plano lens.
Where: On the frame front and both temples (the prescription lenses themselves are often left unmarked).Why it matters: It's how you confirm someone's prescription glasses are genuine safety eyewear and not ordinary Rx frames worn on the floor.Most relevant to
Rx wearers, any trade - Z87-2+
High-impact prescription
Prescription safety eyewear that also passes the high-impact tests, the Rx equivalent of Z87+.
Where: On the frame front and both temples.Why it matters: This is the mark to look for when a role needs both vision correction and high-impact protection. It's the standard for most OSSO prescription safety eyewear.Most relevant to
ConstructionFabricationMachining
Splash & Dust Protection
Added "D" codes for environments with liquids or airborne particles. These show up mostly on goggles, face shields, and sealed safety glasses rather than open-frame eyewear.
Conditional: these appear only on eyewear built and tested for liquid or dust hazards, usually goggles or sealed styles. Most everyday safety glasses carry no D-code.
- D3
Droplet & splash
Rated against liquid droplets and splashes reaching the eyes.
Where: Only when present, after the impact codes (e.g. Z87+ D3), on splash-rated goggles or sealed eyewear.Why it matters: Required where chemicals, coolants, or bodily fluids can splash: labs, healthcare, wet processing. Open safety glasses usually can't earn it.Most relevant to
Lab & healthcareChemical processingSanitation - D4
Dust
Rated against dust particles entering around the eye.
Where: Only when present, after the impact codes, on sealed or gasketed eyewear.Why it matters: Signals a sealed or gasketed design for dusty work (woodworking, demolition, grain handling) where open frames leave gaps.Most relevant to
WoodworkingDemolitionAgriculture - D5
Fine dust
Rated against fine dust, a tighter seal than the D4 dust rating.
Where: Only when present, after the impact codes, on tightly sealed eyewear.Why it matters: Needed for very fine particulates, like silica or powders, that ordinary dust protection lets through.Most relevant to
Stone & concrete cuttingMiningPharma powders
Optical-Radiation Filters
A letter plus a shade number that grades how much of a given light hazard the lens filters. The higher the number, the darker the filter. You'll see these on tinted, welding, and specialty eyewear.
Conditional: these appear only on filter, tinted, or welding lenses. A clear impact lens carries none of these scale numbers.
- U2 to U6
Ultraviolet (UV) filter
Grades ultraviolet protection on a scale; U6 is the strongest UV filter.
Where: Only on filter or tinted lenses. The scale number follows the maker's mark on the lens.Why it matters: UV exposure damages eyes over time. The U-scale tells you exactly how much UV a tinted or outdoor lens blocks.Most relevant to
Outdoor crewsUV curingLab UV work - R1.3 to R10
Infrared (IR) filter
Grades infrared and radiant-heat protection across a numbered scale.
Where: Only on IR-filter lenses. The scale number follows the maker's mark on the lens.Why it matters: Furnace, foundry, and hot-glass work give off intense infrared. The R-scale matches the lens to the heat source.Most relevant to
Foundry & forgingFurnace operationGlass work - L1.3 to L10
Visible-light filter
Grades how much visible light a general-purpose tinted lens cuts.
Where: Only on tinted lenses. The scale number follows the maker's mark on the lens.Why it matters: It standardizes tint darkness, so glare protection can be specced by number instead of guessing from how dark a lens looks.Most relevant to
Outdoor crewsDriversBright-light tasks - W (shade)
Welding filter
Marks a welding filter shade. The W is followed by the shade number for the process.
Where: Only on welding lenses or filter plates. The shade number follows the W.Why it matters: Welding arcs emit intense UV and IR. The correct welding shade is mandatory; too light a filter risks serious eye injury.Most relevant to
WeldersCutters & brazersFabrication
Special Lens & Fit Marks
Smaller marks that flag a lens treatment or a fit characteristic. They're easy to miss but tell you what a lens does beyond impact and which heads a frame is sized for.
Conditional: these appear only when the lens has the treatment or the frame the fit feature. Many safety glasses show none of them.
- V
Photochromic
Marks a photochromic (variable-tint) lens that darkens in sunlight and clears indoors.
Where: Only when present, on the lens with the other lens marks.Why it matters: Explains why a lens looks clear indoors yet darkens outside. It's a rated feature, not a defect, so one pair works in and out.Most relevant to
Indoor and outdoor crewsLoading docksDelivery & yard - S
Special tint
Marks a special-purpose tint that doesn't fall on one of the standard filter scales.
Where: Only when present, on the lens with the other lens marks.Why it matters: Flags a non-standard tint so it isn't mistaken for a graded UV, IR, or visible-light filter when matching lenses to a hazard.Most relevant to
Specialized light environments - X
Anti-fog
Shows the lens passed the anti-fog test, a marking added in the Z87.1-2020 edition.
Where: Only when present, on the lens with the other lens marks.Why it matters: Confirms fog resistance is tested and rated, not just a sales claim. Useful for masks, respirators, and temperature swings.Most relevant to
Cold storageFood processingHealthcare (masks) - H
Smaller head size
Indicates the protector is designed and tested for a smaller-than-average head size.
Where: Only on smaller-size models, on the frame front or temple, with the compliance marks.Why it matters: Fit is part of protection. The H mark helps match coverage to wearers who'd be lost in a standard-size frame.Most relevant to
Smaller-framed workers, any trade
Marking cheat sheet
Every mark in one place. Scan it, or save it for quick reference on the floor.
| Mark | What it means | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Maker's mark | Who made it | Impact & Compliance Scope |
| Z87 | Baseline impact rating | Impact & Compliance Scope |
| Z87+ | High-impact rated (the "+") | Impact & Compliance Scope |
| Z87-2 | Prescription safety frame | Impact & Compliance Scope |
| Z87-2+ | High-impact Rx eyewear | Impact & Compliance Scope |
| D3 | Liquid splash protection | Splash & Dust Protection |
| D4 | Dust protection | Splash & Dust Protection |
| D5 | Fine-dust protection | Splash & Dust Protection |
| U2 to U6 | UV filter, U6 strongest | Optical-Radiation Filters |
| R1.3 to R10 | Infrared / heat filter | Optical-Radiation Filters |
| L1.3 to L10 | Visible-light / glare filter | Optical-Radiation Filters |
| W (shade) | Welding shade filter | Optical-Radiation Filters |
| V | Variable-tint lens | Special Lens & Fit Marks |
| S | Non-standard special tint | Special Lens & Fit Marks |
| X | Passed the anti-fog test | Special Lens & Fit Marks |
| H | Built for smaller heads | Special Lens & Fit Marks |
- Maker's markImpact & Compliance Scope
Who made it
- Z87Impact & Compliance Scope
Baseline impact rating
- Z87+Impact & Compliance Scope
High-impact rated (the "+")
- Z87-2Impact & Compliance Scope
Prescription safety frame
- Z87-2+Impact & Compliance Scope
High-impact Rx eyewear
- D3Splash & Dust Protection
Liquid splash protection
- D4Splash & Dust Protection
Dust protection
- D5Splash & Dust Protection
Fine-dust protection
- U2 to U6Optical-Radiation Filters
UV filter, U6 strongest
- R1.3 to R10Optical-Radiation Filters
Infrared / heat filter
- L1.3 to L10Optical-Radiation Filters
Visible-light / glare filter
- W (shade)Optical-Radiation Filters
Welding shade filter
- VSpecial Lens & Fit Marks
Variable-tint lens
- SSpecial Lens & Fit Marks
Non-standard special tint
- XSpecial Lens & Fit Marks
Passed the anti-fog test
- HSpecial Lens & Fit Marks
Built for smaller heads
Quick check before first use
- Find a Z87 or Z87-2 mark on the frame front and both temples.
- Confirm a high-impact "+" if the job involves flying particles or fragments.
- Check for any D-, U-, R-, L-, or W-codes the task calls for.
- Make sure the maker's mark is present. Unmarked eyewear isn't rated.
Escalate when markings are missing or illegible, the frame is damaged, or the eyewear doesn't match the job's hazards.
This is a general reference, not a compliance certification. Exact marks and their placement vary by manufacturer and by the standard edition (ANSI Z87.1-2010, 2015, or 2020). Always follow your site's job-hazard assessment and your safety team's guidance.
Not sure a frame meets your job's requirements?
Our team can match approved, properly marked safety eyewear to your role and site conditions.