Flood Zone X: What It Means
A low-risk flood zone outside the Special Flood Hazard Area. Flood insurance is not required but is often available at lower rates.
What is Flood Zone X?
Zone X (also called Zone X Unshaded) is FEMA's designation for areas outside the 1% annual chance floodplain and outside the 0.2% annual chance floodplain. In plain English: FEMA has determined that properties here have a low statistical risk of flooding compared to higher-risk zones. Zone X is the most common flood zone designation in the US.
Risk Level: Lower risk
Low-risk does not mean no risk. FEMA notes that about 25% of flood insurance claims come from outside high-risk zones. Rainfall, poor drainage, and ice jams can all cause flooding even in Zone X. Flood insurance is not required by federally-backed lenders in Zone X, but it is available -- often at significantly lower premiums than in Zone AE or VE -- and many homeowners choose to carry it.
Flood Insurance in Zone X
Flood insurance is not federally required in Zone X -- it sits outside the Special Flood Hazard Area, so federally backed lenders are not required to mandate a policy.
That said, flooding can and does occur in Zone X. About 25% of all NFIP flood insurance claims come from outside high-risk zones. Standard homeowner's insurance does not cover flood damage. Voluntary flood insurance is available -- often at significantly lower premiums than in Zone AE -- and many Zone X homeowners find it worth carrying.
Schematic: Zone X Cross-Section
This diagram shows how Zone X relates to flood elevation and the landscape.
Compare: Zone X vs. Related Zones
- AE High risk The most common high-risk flood zone. Flood insurance is typically required for federally-backed mortgages.
- VE High risk The highest-risk coastal flood zone. Wave action adds to storm-surge risk. Flood insurance is required for federally-backed mortgages.
- AO High risk A shallow-flooding high-risk zone where water typically moves as sheet flow rather than rising in a channel. Flood insurance is required.
Check If YOUR Address Is in Zone X
The only way to know your exact zone is to check your specific address against FEMA's official maps -- free and instant below.
Frequently Asked Questions about Zone X
- What is Flood Zone X?
- Zone X (also called Zone X Unshaded) is FEMA's designation for areas outside the 1% annual chance floodplain and outside the 0.2% annual chance floodplain. In plain English: FEMA has determined that properties here have a low statistical risk of flooding compared to higher-risk zones. Zone X is the most common flood zone designation in the US.
- Is Flood Zone X bad?
- Low-risk does not mean no risk. FEMA notes that about 25% of flood insurance claims come from outside high-risk zones. Rainfall, poor drainage, and ice jams can all cause flooding even in Zone X. Flood insurance is not required by federally-backed lenders in Zone X, but it is available -- often at significantly lower premiums than in Zone AE or VE -- and many homeowners choose to carry it.
- Do I need flood insurance in Zone X?
- Zone X is outside the Special Flood Hazard Area, so federally backed lenders do not require flood insurance. However, flooding can still occur in Zone X, and standard homeowner's insurance does not cover flood damage. Voluntary flood insurance is available and often affordable.