What Does Z87+ Mean? High-Impact Safety Glasses Rating (2026)
The "+" in Z87+ is the most important character on a pair of safety glasses. It's the difference between a lens rated for a 1-inch ball dropped from 50 inches and a lens rated for a quarter-inch steel ball fired at 150 feet per second. In OSHA-covered environments where eye hazards include flying particles, debris, or fragments, the + is not optional — it's the baseline safety specification. This guide explains exactly what tests the + requires, when it's mandatory, and how to read the marking on the lens.
One-Line Answer: Z87+ means the lens passed ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 high-impact testing — a 0.25-inch steel ball fired at 150 fps AND a 500-gram pointed projectile dropped from 50 inches. It is significantly more protective than basic Z87 and is the correct specification for industrial workplaces.
The Two Z87.1 Impact Levels
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ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 — currently the 2025 edition, published January 2026 — defines two levels of impact protection for safety glasses (spectacles):
Wondering whether a task even calls for Z87+? See when do you need safety glasses for the activity-by-activity answer.
- Z87.1 Basic Impact — lens must survive a 1-inch steel ball dropped from 50 inches. Lens marked Z87 (no +). Minimum protection; not appropriate for environments with airborne particle hazards.
- Z87.1 High Impact (Z87+) — lens must survive THREE tests: the basic drop ball, a high-velocity 0.25-inch steel ball fired at 150 fps, AND a high-mass 500-gram pointed projectile dropped from 50 inches. Frame must also retain the lens through the high-impact tests. Marked Z87+ on both lens and frame.
The Three Tests Behind Z87+
| Test | Projectile | Speed | Pass Criterion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drop ball (basic) | 1-inch steel ball | ~17 fps (gravity) | No fracture, crack, or chip |
| High-mass projectile | 500 g pointed projectile | 50 in drop (~17 fps) | No fracture; frame retains lens |
| High-velocity projectile | 0.25-inch steel ball | 150 fps (spectacles) | No fracture, crack, or chip |
The high-velocity test is the critical differentiator. 150 feet per second is roughly 100 mph — above the speed of typical chip, fragment, and debris hazards in industrial work. Polycarbonate lenses in Z87+ frames are engineered to absorb and distribute this impact energy without transmitting fracture energy to the eye.
Where to Find the Z87+ Marking
Both the lens and the frame must be marked independently. Check both locations before confirming compliance:
On the Lens
Look for the etched or molded marking directly on the lens surface. The marking format is: [Manufacturer Code] Z87+ (plus any additional codes for tint, UV, etc.). The "+" must be present — "Z87" without "+" indicates basic impact only.
On the Frame/Temple
The frame is also marked, typically on the temple arm. Look for Z87+ molded into the plastic or stamped on metal components. If only the lens is marked Z87+ but the frame is marked Z87 (no +), the system does not fully meet high-impact requirements — the frame has not passed the high-mass retention test.
Common Marking Examples
✓ UVEX Z87+ U6 — Uvex lens, high impact, UV scale 6
✓ 3M Z87+ — 3M lens, high impact
✗ Z87 (no +) — basic impact only; not Z87+
✗ No marking on lens — not Z87.1 rated
When Is Z87+ Required?
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.133 requires that eye protection be appropriate for the specific hazard identified in the employer's hazard assessment. Z87.1+ (high impact) is the correct specification whenever flying particles, fragments, or debris are present — which includes:
- Machining operations (turning, milling, drilling)
- Grinding, cutting, or chipping
- Woodworking with power tools
- Nailing or fastener driving
- Demolition and construction
- Concrete work
- Shooting ranges (all types)
- Chemical handling (when Z87+ goggles with D3 are also required)
- Any task where projectiles or debris could reach the face
Z87.1 basic (without +) is generally insufficient for any of the above. The hazard assessment may identify specific environments where basic impact is adequate — clerical areas, controlled labs with no projectile hazards — but these are exceptions. When in doubt, specify Z87.1+.
Z87+ vs. Ballistic Ratings
Z87+ is the top civilian impact standard for safety glasses. Military and law enforcement ballistic protection standards (MIL-PRF-31013 for spectacles) have additional test criteria including higher-velocity projectiles and fragmentation simulation. Z87.1+ is NOT equivalent to ballistic rating. Ballistic-rated eyewear also meets Z87.1+ but exceeds it — a Z87.1+ lens is not necessarily ballistic-rated.
For occupational shooting range use (range officers, firearms instructors, OSHA-covered firearms testing), Z87.1+ is the applicable standard. For military and law enforcement combat applications, MIL-PRF-31013 certification is additionally required. See Can Safety Glasses Be Used for Shooting? for the full breakdown.
Frequently Asked Questions — Z87+
Is Z87 (without +) acceptable for OSHA compliance?
OSHA 1910.133 requires eye protection appropriate to the hazard — it doesn't specify Z87 vs Z87+. However, for environments with impact hazards (flying particles, chips, fragments), Z87 basic is generally not appropriate — the hazard assessment would identify these as high-impact hazard environments requiring Z87+. Z87 basic may be acceptable only in very low-hazard environments where no projectile risk exists.
Do both the lens AND frame need to be marked Z87+?
Yes. The ANSI Z87.1 standard requires both components to be independently marked. A Z87+ lens in a basic-Z87 frame does not constitute a fully high-impact compliant system — the frame's lens retention under high-mass impact has not been verified. Both the lens marking and the frame marking must show Z87+.
Can I replace a Z87+ lens into a different frame?
No — the Z87+ rating applies to the tested lens-and-frame system. Replacing a Z87+ lens into a non-rated frame, or a non-rated lens into a Z87+ frame, voids the rating. The impact performance of the system depends on the fit and retention properties of both components together. Use only manufacturer-matched lens and frame combinations.
Is Z87+ better than Z87.1-2003 or Z87.1-2010?
Z87+ is a marking, not an edition year. The high-impact designation and its tests were introduced in the 2003 edition and carry forward through the 2010, 2015, 2020, and current 2025 editions, so a Z87+ marked product under any of these editions passed comparable high-impact testing. Products marked Z87 without the + have passed only the basic drop-ball test. For new purchases, specify products certified to the current Z87.1-2025 edition.
If Z87+ is so much better, why does basic Z87.1 still exist?
Basic impact remains in the standard for environments where projectile hazards are genuinely absent — chemical labs where the only eye hazard is splash (D3 goggles are the primary spec), clinical environments, controlled research settings. In those contexts, the additional impact performance of Z87+ doesn't address the actual hazard. The standard provides tiered protection levels to match the tiered hazard environment — basic impact is appropriate when the hazard assessment confirms it.
Are anti-fog and anti-scratch coatings part of the Z87+ standard?
No. Anti-fog (AF) and anti-scratch (AS) coatings are features added by manufacturers but are not impact rating criteria in ANSI Z87.1. The Z87+ rating only confirms impact performance. AF and AS coatings affect lens durability and usability but don't affect — and aren't measured by — the Z87.1 impact tests. Check manufacturer specs for AF/AS separately from the Z87+ impact compliance.
Does scratching a Z87+ lens void the rating?
Significant scratching can compromise lens integrity, particularly at deep scratches that create stress concentration points. A moderately scratched lens remains in service in most programs with monitoring; a heavily scratched lens should be replaced regardless of its rated status. ANSI Z87.1 doesn't establish a specific scratch threshold for replacement — the practical guidance is to replace lenses when visual clarity is impaired or when scratches are deep enough to be felt with a fingernail. See How Long Do Safety Glasses Last?
Where can I find a list of Z87.1-certified products?
Unlike NIOSH's respirator approval list, there is no centralized ANSI database of Z87.1-certified products. Z87.1 is a self-certification standard — manufacturers test their products against the standard and apply the markings. Verification relies on the marking on the lens and frame rather than a lookup registry. ISEA, the standard's administrator, does not maintain a product certification database. For purchase verification, rely on lens/frame markings and reputable industrial PPE distributors.
What's the cost difference between Z87 and Z87+ safety glasses?
Minimal to none. Z87.1+ high-impact is the standard specification for industrial safety glasses — manufacturers produce primarily Z87+ products for the industrial market. The price difference between basic-Z87 and Z87+ is negligible at the mass-production scale. Most safety glasses in the listed price range are Z87+. There's no reason to purchase basic-Z87 over Z87+ on cost grounds for industrial use.
What does the + symbol mean in Z87+?
The + designates that the lens and frame have passed ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 high-impact testing — a 0.25-inch steel ball fired at 150 fps and a 500-gram pointed projectile dropped from 50 inches, in addition to the basic drop-ball test. Without the +, only the basic drop-ball test has been passed.
Sources. Requirements referenced here come from OSHA 29 CFR 1910 and the NIOSH recommendations. Where a consensus standard governs, the ANSI document is named in the text.
What does the "+" symbol mean in Z87+?
The "+" designates that the lens and frame have passed ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 high-impact testing requirements — the high-velocity test (a 0.25-inch steel ball fired at 150 fps) and the high-mass test (a 500-gram pointed projectile dropped from 50 inches) in addition to the basic drop-ball test. Without the +, the glasses have only passed the basic drop-ball test.
Verified Z87.1+ Safety Glasses
- Honeywell Uvex Genesis XC — the listed price | Z87.1+ | Top all-purpose indoor pick
- 3M Solus 2000 — the listed price | Z87.1+ | Best for fog-heavy tasks
- Uvex Millennia — the listed price | Z87.1+ | Best value
- Pyramex Ztek — the listed price | Z87.1+ | Best crew supply
- Bollé Rush — the listed price | Z87.1+ | Best outdoor anti-fog
Related Reference Guides
- ANSI Z87.1 Explained: Complete Standard Guide
- Are Safety Glasses OSHA Required?
- Can Safety Glasses Be Used for Shooting?
- Can Safety Glasses Be Used for Welding?
- Best Safety Glasses (2026)
- Browse All Safety Glasses
About the Author
Steven Eaton, WC Safety Editorial — independent, specification-based product research.
Standard Reference
ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2025, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.133. Verify current standard versions for compliance programs.
Editorial Standards
Content is independent of manufacturer relationships.
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Related reference
Closely related on this site: when do you need safety glasses? activities, hazards & the z87+ rule, anti-fog safety glasses guide, what is ansi/isea z87.1? safety glasses standard explained (2025, safety glasses vs goggles for chemical splash: which one the task, amber vs clear lens safety glasses, and best safety glasses for angle grinding: 7 z87+ picks ranked.
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WC Safety is an independent, affiliate-supported review site. It is not a retailer: it holds no inventory, takes no orders, and earns only from qualifying purchases through clearly marked links — which never changes what a product is rated to do. Standards language is taken from the regulation text directly, and ratings are reported as the manufacturer publishes them. We run no laboratory and perform no testing of our own. Where published sources disagree, we say so and plan on the conservative figure rather than the flattering one.
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Researched and written by Steven Eaton, editor of WC Safety. Steven holds no safety certification and does not test products; this page compares what manufacturers and regulators publish, with the gaps in that record marked. Last reviewed August 2026.
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