What Are NIJ Body Armor Ratings and Why Do They Matter?

When selecting body armor, few things matter more than understanding what threats it is actually designed to stop - aka, the body armor rating. To provide clarity and consistency across the industry, ballistic armor in the United States is tested against standards published by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), a research arm of the U.S. Department of Justice.

For more than a decade, the prevailing standard was NIJ 0101.06. In 2023, the NIJ introduced a revised standard — NIJ 0101.07 — which modernizes naming conventions, clarifies threat definitions, and improves testing methodology.

This guide explains what changed, what stayed the same, and how to understand modern NIJ ratings when choosing armor for real-world use.

Overview of the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) standards

Under NIJ 0101.06, armor protection levels were defined using Roman numerals:

• Level II / IIIA – Handgun threats
• Level III – Rifle threats (7.62×51 M80)
• Level III+ – Non-standard, manufacturer-defined enhanced rifle protection
• Level IV – Armor-piercing rifle threats (.30-06 M2 AP)

While widely used, this system had limitations:

• “Level III+” was not an official NIJ rating
• Threat definitions varied by manufacturer
• It was often unclear what additional calibers a plate had actually been tested against

Many high-quality armor systems were tested well beyond the baseline Level III requirement, but there was no standardized way to communicate that performance.

How NIJ ratings impact tactical gear selection

NIJ body armor ratings influence every practical choice you make, from plate type to carrier setup. A higher rating can increase weight and thickness, which affects mobility, heat management, and endurance. A lower rating can improve comfort but may not cover your likely threats. Your environment also matters. Urban duty, rural patrol, range instruction, and prepared citizen use all create different risk profiles. By using NIJ body armor ratings as your filter, you can compare armor options on the same playing field and avoid mismatched gear that slows you down or leaves gaps.

From NIJ 0101.06 to 0101.07: Evolution of Ballistic Standards for Tactical Gear

Standards evolve because threats, materials, and manufacturing change. The shift from NIJ 0101.06 to NIJ 0101.07 is not just paperwork. It is an effort to improve consistency, tighten quality controls, and better reflect how armor gets used outside a lab. If you are comparing NIJ body armor ratings, you should also look at which standard version the product references. That context helps you understand what the armor was tested against and what the label truly means for your safety. For detailed information, see the NIJ Official Site.

Key differences between NIJ 0101.06 and 0101.07

NIJ 0101.07 updates how armor is evaluated and how compliance is maintained over time. It refines test protocols, strengthens oversight, and improves how models are tracked and verified. It also modernizes the approach to rifle threats and clarifies requirements that reduce ambiguity in labeling. For you, the practical takeaway is simple: NIJ body armor ratings tied to newer standards aim to reduce surprises. You get clearer expectations about performance, and you can make more confident comparisons when shopping for protective equipment.

• Introducing clear handgun (HG) and rifle (RF) categories
• Defining specific test threats at each level
• Improving testing for female-fit armor
• Updating perforation and back-face deformation (BFD) testing methods
• Aligning NIJ standards more closely with ASTM test procedures

The result is a system that is easier to interpret and harder to misrepresent.

The New NIJ 0101.07 Rating System

Handgun Rated (HG)

HG1

Designed to stop common handgun threats, including:

• .22 LR
• .380 ACP
• 9mm FMJ
• .40 S&W
• .45 ACP
• .357 Magnum

HG2

Designed to defeat higher-energy handgun threats:

• 9mm FMJ
• .44 Magnum SJHP

HG ratings typically apply to soft armor and ballistic helmets.

Rifle Rated (RF)

RF1

Baseline rifle protection:

• 7.62×51 NATO (M80 Ball)
• 7.62×39 Mild Steel Core (MSC)

RF2

Includes all RF1 threats plus:

• 5.56×45 M855 / SS109 (steel penetrator)

RF3

Includes all RF2 threats plus:

• .30-06 M2 Armor Piercing (AP)

This hierarchical structure means each higher RF level implicitly includes the threats below it.

Mapping Legacy Armor to Modern Standards

Many armor systems currently on the market were tested under NIJ 0101.06 but demonstrate performance equivalent to one or more NIJ 0101.07 threat categories.

At Invictus Templar, we clearly distinguish between:

• NIJ-certified ratings
• Performance-equivalent protection based on documented testing

This allows customers to make informed decisions without overstating certification status.

How Invictus Templar aligns with the latest certification

Invictus Templar focuses on reliable, American-made tactical solutions built for people who take preparedness seriously. When you evaluate NIJ body armor ratings, you should look for transparent product details, clear model identification, and straightforward guidance on intended threats. That is the standard you should demand from any serious brand. Invictus Templar’s approach supports modular loadouts, so you can pair the right plates with the right carrier and accessories without guesswork. Armor by patriots for patriots means you get gear designed for real use, not display.

How Invictus Templar Applies the NIJ Standard

Our armor lineup is selected and organized based on actual tested threats, not marketing labels.  As the industry transitions between the Roman Numeral system to the HG/RF system, we will do our best to ensure our armor products accurately explain the rating they are tested to and what that rating corresponds to under the .07 system.

Examples:

• Aegis Ultralight UHMWPE plates provide RF1-equivalent rifle protection at minimal weight. More Here.
• Warden AR600 steel plates exceed legacy Level III requirements and demonstrate RF1-equivalent performance.* More Here.
• Dominus AR700 (Click Here) and Aegis SRT (Click Here) systems provide RF2-class protection against steel penetrator threats.
• Sanctum Level IV ceramic plates align with RF3 protection against armor-piercing rifle rounds. More Here.

*Performance-equivalent based on legacy NIJ 0101.06 testing. Not yet tested to NIJ 0101.07 RF2.

Choosing the Right Armor

The “best” armor is not always the highest rating — it is the armor that balances:

• Threat environment
• Weight and mobility
• Duration of wear
• Mission or contingency role

Understanding NIJ ratings allows you to choose protection that matches realistic threats, not theoretical extremes.

Closing

NIJ 0101.07 brings much-needed clarity to ballistic protection standards. At Invictus Templar, we embrace that clarity — and we commit to communicating armor capabilities honestly, precisely, and without exaggeration.