inc vat exc vat
Ireland € EUR

Shipping to
  • Price Match Promise
  • Free delivery to Ireland over €99
  • In-House Embroidery & Printing
  • 28-Day Returns

Hi-Vis Class 1 vs 2 vs 3 (EN ISO 20471) Compared

Compare · Hi-vis

Hi-vis Class 1 vs Class 2 vs Class 3

The class on an EN ISO 20471 garment tells you how much fluorescent and reflective material it has. More material means you are easier to see. Here is how the three classes compare and where each is typically used.

  • EN ISO 20471
  • Minimum areas
  • Vests vs jackets
  • Rail orange

← All workwear comparisons

Key takeaways

  • Class = visible area. Class 3 needs at least 0.80 m² of fluorescent background and 0.20 m² of reflective material; Class 1 needs 0.14 m² and 0.10 m² [1].
  • A vest alone rarely reaches Class 3. Class 3 usually comes from a jacket and trousers together, or a coverall [1].
  • Tested on the smallest size. A style can carry a lower class in small sizes, so check the label [1].
  • Logos take up area. Large prints can pull a garment down a class [1]. Ask us before branding hi-vis.

Minimum visible material by class

Both bars must be met. Fluorescent colour makes you visible in daylight; reflective tape makes you visible in headlights.

Fluorescent background material (m²)

Class 1 0.14 m²
Class 2 0.50 m²
Class 3 0.80 m²

Data: EN ISO 20471 minimum areas, as published by KÜBLER Workwear [1].

Retroreflective material (m²)

Class 1 0.10 m²
Class 2 0.13 m²
Class 3 0.20 m²

Data: EN ISO 20471 minimum areas [1]. Class 1 can alternatively use 0.20 m² of combined-performance material [1].

Which class for which situation?

Weather, low contrast and heavy traffic can push the class up [1].

Guidance allocation from the annex of EN ISO 20471, as summarised by KÜBLER [1]. Your risk assessment and site or client rules decide the class.
Class 1 Class 2 Class 3
Guide traffic speed (attention on the work) Up to 30 km/h Up to 60 km/h Above 60 km/h
Typical use Company premises, warehouses, indoor forklift areas Built-up areas, site traffic, municipal services Motorways, trunk roads, track construction
Usually achieved with Trousers, polos, tees Vests, polos, jackets Jacket + trousers, coverall, parka
Vest alone enough? Often Often ✗

Combining garments

Jacket + trousers

Class 3 is usually reached by wearing a certified jacket and trousers together, or a coverall [1]. Check the user information for the tested combination.

Dual-class labels

Labels such as "Class 3/2" show the class reached in larger and smaller sizes, or alone and in combination. Read the label for your size.

Rail work

GB mainline rail uses orange hi-vis to RIS-3279-TOM [3]. See our rail section and RIS-3279-TOM approved range.

Short verdict

Match the class to the traffic, not the price

Class 1 suits yards and warehouses with slow vehicles. Class 2 is the everyday choice for most sites and urban roads. Class 3 is for fast roads, rail and night or poor-visibility work, and usually means a jacket and trousers or a coverall. If your client or site specifies a class, that rule comes first.

Shop by class

Class 1

Class 1 hi-vis

Trousers, polos and tees for lower-risk areas.

Shop Class 1
Class 2

Class 2 hi-vis

Vests, polos and jackets for most sites.

Shop Class 2
Class 3

Class 3 hi-vis

Jackets, parkas and coveralls for high-risk work.

Shop Class 3
Vests

Vests & tabards

Quick, low-cost visibility over other clothing.

Shop vests
Trousers

Hi-vis trousers

Pair with a jacket to build a Class 3 combination.

Shop trousers
Rain

Hi-vis rainwear

Waterproof and visible, for wet sites.

Shop rainwear

Hi-vis class questions

What is the difference between Class 2 and Class 3 hi-vis?

Class 3 needs more visible material: at least 0.80 m² of fluorescent background and 0.20 m² of reflective material, against 0.50 m² and 0.13 m² for Class 2.

Is a Class 2 vest enough on a building site?

On many sites yes, but some sites and clients require Class 3 or sleeves. Always check your site rules and risk assessment.

Can a vest be Class 3?

Rarely. A vest does not usually offer 0.80 m² of fluorescent material. Class 3 is normally a jacket with sleeves, a jacket and trousers combination, or a coverall.

Why does my jacket say Class 3/2?

The garment reaches Class 3 in some sizes or combinations and Class 2 in others. The label explains which.

Does a logo affect the class?

It can. Logos cover fluorescent area, and large prints can drop a garment a class. We can advise on size and position before you order.

Which colours count as hi-vis?

EN ISO 20471 allows fluorescent yellow, orange-red and red background material.

When should I replace hi-vis?

When it is faded, dirty, damaged, or past the maximum washes on the label. Soiling reduces visibility.

What hi-vis do I need for rail?

GB mainline rail uses orange to RIS-3279-TOM. See our rail section and RIS-3279-TOM range.

Kitting out a road or site team?

We can supply and brand hi-vis for your whole team, delivered across the UK and Ireland.

Shop hi-visContact us

Sources

Numbers in square brackets on this page refer to these sources. Standards and site rules change, so always check the current version and your own risk assessment.

  1. KÜBLER Workwear, EN ISO 20471 high visibility clothing (classes, minimum areas, guidance table) – https://www.kuebler.eu/en/service/protection-standards/en-iso-20471/
  2. The Workwear Co, High visibility explained – https://www.theworkwearco.com/pages/guides/high-visibility
  3. ProGARM, RIS-3279-TOM explained – https://www.progarm.com/en-standards/ris-3279-tom/