What are the levels of soft body armor in terms of ballistic threats?

There are six levels of body armor approved and designed by the National Institute of Justice or the NIJ. The first four makes up the soft body armor classification while the next succeeding levels of body armor are those that comprise the hard body armor group. The NIJ developed this for us to understand what type of protection will we need in case we might want to buy or purchase our very own personal body armor.

Let us talk first about first four levels of protection which is under the soft body armor category.

The National Institute of Justice establishes six formal armor classifications, as well as a seventh type of body armor. This is in accordance with the NIJ Standard-0101.04

Level 1 (.22 LR; 380 ACP). This armor protects the wearer against the .22 long rifle lead round nose (LRLRN) bullets, with nominal masses of 2.6 g (40 gr), impacting at a minimum velocity of 320 m/s (1050 ft/s) or less and against .380 ACP full metal jacketed round nose (FMJRN), with nominal masses of 6.2 g (95 gr) impacting at a minimum velocity of 312 m/s (1025 ft/s) or less.

Level II – A (9mm; 40 S&W). This armor protects the wearer against a 9mm full metal jacketed round nose (FMJRN) bullets with nominal masses of 8.0 g(124 gr), impacting at a minimum velocity of 332 m/s (1090 ft/s) or less. This can also protect the wearer against .40 S&W caliber full metal jacketed (FMJ) bullets, with nominal masses of 11.7 g (180 gr), impacting at a minimum velocity of 312 m/s (1025 ft/s) or less.

Level II 99mm; .357 Magnum). This type of body armor protects the user against 9mm full metal jacketed round nose (FMJRN) bullets, with nominal masses of 8.0 g (124 gr), impacting at a minimum velocity of 358 m/s (1175 ft/s) or less and .357 Magnum jacketed soft point (JSP) bullets with nominal masses of 10.2 g (158 gr), impacting at a minimum velocity of 427 m/s (1400 ft/s) or less.

Level IIIA (High velocity 9mm; .44 Magnum). This armor protects against 9mm full metal jacketed round nose (FMJRN) bullets with nominal masses of 8.0 g(124 gr), impacting at a minimum velocity of 427 m/s (1400 ft/s) or less and .44 Magnum jacketed hollow point (JHP) bullets, with nominal masses of 15.6 g (240 gr) impacting at a minimum velocity 427 m/s (1400 ft/s) or less.

The said types of body armor above are the level of body armor belonging to the group of soft body armor.