What classification does Ceres belong to in the asteroid belt?

Ceres is classified as a dwarf planet primarily because it meets the criteria established by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) for this classification. It orbits the Sun, has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces and assume a nearly round shape (hydrostatic equilibrium), and it has cleared the neighborhood around its orbit of other debris, although it shares its orbital zone with other objects in the asteroid belt.

Being the largest object in the asteroid belt, Ceres distinguishes itself from typical asteroids due to its size, composition, and the presence of water ice and potential organic material, which are not common characteristics of rocky asteroids. Ceres is also not classified as a gas giant, as it lacks the massive gaseous envelope and is composed primarily of rock and ice. Furthermore, it does not fit the characteristics of a terrestrial planet, which have a solid, rocky surface, such as Earth or Mars. Therefore, Ceres's unique attributes and its compliance with the criteria for dwarf planets firmly establish its classification within the asteroid belt.