Window tinting is a great way to spruce up your new or used car. Some car owners prefer windows with tint because of the following reasons:
- Enhances your vehicle’s aesthetics
- Adds more privacy
- Helps manage the temperature in your cabin
- Provides protection against harmful UV rays
- Helps maintain uncompromised vision by preventing glare from sunlight
It’s common for cars to already have very light window tint coming out of the factory. The windows may look clear, but they usually don’t let all of the light through. Anyway, you can easily get window tint installed by consulting any window tinting professional. If you’d like to tint your windows yourself, DIY window tinting kits are also available. Either way, you’ll need to understand how window tint percentages work to make sure you keep your car’s window tint within legal limits, according to your state’s regulations.
How Does Tint Percentage Work?
Your window tint is measured by the percentage of light that can pass through it, which is called visible light transmission (VLT). If the percentage is higher, it means more light is visible through the tint, which appears lighter. Lower VLT percentages appear darker because less light is able to pass through the tint.
It’s possible to tint your windows from 5% to 90%. However, window tint is regulated by law for various road safety reasons. You can get pulled over and fined if your window tint doesn’t comply with state regulations.
How to Calculate Window Tint Percentage
Whether you plan on getting your car professionally tinted or doing it yourself, you’ll need to understand how window tint percentage is calculated to make sure you don’t go beyond your state’s window tint limits. If your car’s windows are clear, it’s easy to determine. However, your vehicle may already have an existing window tint. If so, you’ll need to calculate the output VLT percentage by multiplying the percentages of both existing tint and the additional tint you’ll be installing.
For example, your window has an existing VLT of 80% and you’d like to make it darker by installing a window tint film with 50% VLT. To get the combined VLT percentage, you need to multiply the VLT of the glass with the VLT of the film. In this case, that would be (0.50 x 0.80) x 100 =40% VLT. This means you’ll end up with a 40% VLT tint after installing your film. It’s best you calculate accordingly even before purchasing window tint film to make sure you stay within state legal window tint levels.
How Dark Should You Tint Your Car Windows?
Legal window tint percentages may vary depending on the state you live in. Some states allow a wide range in terms of how dark your window tint can be, but it’s best to not push it too far and keep it within your comfort level. Dark window tint can compromise your vision in low-light conditions, so you shouldn’t make your tint too dark so that you can avoid accidents.
What Is The Darkest Window Tint That’s Legal?
Most states allow up to 50% VLT for the driver’s and passenger’s front windows. For the rear passenger and side windows as well as the back window, the most common limit is 35% VLT. You can go darker depending on the indicated window tint limits of the state where you live.
Legal Window Tint Levels According to State
Window Tint Terms and Definitions
- Tint darkness is presented by visible light transmission (VLT) percentage.
- Front side windows are the driver’s and passenger’s adjustable windows at the front.
- Rear side windows are the rest of the side windows, including the rear-seat passenger windows.
- A shade band is a rectangular band of window tint film located at the top of the windshield which extends downwards.
- The AS1 line is a marking around the upper corner sides of the windshield left by its glass manufacturer.
- Tint reflection refers to the window tint’s reflective or metallic feature.
- VLT percentages parted by a slash (/) means that the first value is for cars and the next number is for SUVs or vans.
| State | Front Side Windows | Rear Side Windows | Back Window | Windshield Shade Band Height | Reflectivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 32% | 32% / No limit | 32% / No limit | 6 in. | Up to 20% reflective |
| Alaska | 70% / No limit | 40% / No limit | 40% / No limit | 5 in. | Non-reflective |
| Arizona | 33% | No limit | No limit | Until AS1 line | Up to 35% reflective |
| Arkansas | 25% | 25% / 10% | 10% | 5 in. | Non-reflective |
| California | 70% | No limit | No limit | 4 in. | Non-reflective |
| Colorado | 27% | 27% | 27% | 4 in. | Non-reflective |
| Connecticut | 35% | 35% / No limit | No limit | Non-reflective tint above the AS1 line | Front windows up to 21% reflective / Rear windows up to 27% reflective |
| Delaware | 70% | No limit | No limit | Until AS1 line | Non-reflective |
| Florida | 28% | 15% | 15% | Non-reflective tint until AS1 line | Up to 25% reflective |
| Georgia | 32% | 32% / No limit | 32% / No limit | 6 in. | Up to 20% reflective |
| Hawaii | 35% | 35% / No limit | 35% / No limit | no inch limit, tint must be 70% | Non-reflective |
| Idaho | 35% | 20% / No limit | 35% / No limit | Until AS1 line | Up to 35% reflective |
| Illinois | 35% | 35% / No limit | 35% / No limit | 6 in. | Non-reflective |
| Indiana | 30% | 30% / No limit | 30% / No limit | Until AS1 line | Up to 25% reflective |
| Iowa | 70% | No limit | No limit | Until AS1 line | Non-reflective |
| Kansas | 35% | 35% | 35% | Until AS1 line | Non-reflective |
| Kentucky | 35% | 18% / No limit, 8 in. from top | 18% / No limit, 8 in. from top | Until AS1 line | Up to 25% reflective |
| Louisiana | 40% | 25% / No limit | 12% / No limit | Until AS1 line | Up to 20% reflective |
| Maine | 35% | 35% / No limit | 35% / No limit | 4 in. | Must be Non-reflective |
| Maryland | 35% | 35% / No limit | 35% / No limit | 5 in. | No limit |
| Massachusetts | 35% | 35% | 35% | 6 in. or until AS1 line | Up to 35% reflective |
| Michigan | 4 in. from top only, No limit | No limit | No limit | 4 in. | Up to 35% reflective |
| Minnesota | 50% | 50% / No limit | 50% / No limit | No shade band | Up to 20% reflective |
| Mississippi | 28% | 28% / No limit | 28% / No limit | Until AS1 line | Up to 20% reflective |
| Missouri | 35% | No limit | No limit | Until AS1 line | Up to 35% reflective |
| Montana | 24% | 14% / No limit | 14% / No limit | Until AS1 line | Up to 35% reflective |
| Nebraska | 35% | 20% / 35% | 20% / 35% | 5 in. or until AS1 line, whichever comes first | Up to 35% reflective |
| Nevada | 35% | No limit | No limit | Until AS1 line | No limit |
| New Hampshire | no tint | 35% / No limit | 35% / No limit | 6 in. | Non-reflective |
| New Jersey | no tint | No limit | No limit | no tint | Non-reflective |
| New Mexico | 20% | 20% / No limit | 20% / No limit | 5 in. or AS1 line, whichever comes first | No limit |
| New York | 70% | 70% / No limit | No limit | 6 in. | Non-reflective |
| North Carolina | 35% | 35% / No limit | 35% / No limit | Until AS1 line | Up to 20% reflective |
| North Dakota | 50% | No limit | No limit | Up to 70% to whole windshield | Non-reflective |
| Ohio | 50% | No limit | No limit | Up to 70% to whole windshield | No more reflective than a standard window |
| Oklahoma | 25% | 25% / No limit | 25% / No limit | 5 in. or until AS1 line, whichever comes first | Up to 20% reflective |
| Oregon | 35% | 35% / No limit | 35% / No limit | 6 in. | Up to 13% reflective |
| Pennsylvania | 70% | 70% / No limit | 70% / No limit | No tint | Non-reflective |
| Rhode Island | 70% | 70% / No limit | 70% / No limit | Until AS1 line | No limit |
| South Carolina | 27% | 27% / No limit | 27% / No limit | Until AS1 line | Must be Non-reflective |
| South Dakota | 35% | 20% / No limit | 20% / No limit | Until AS1 line | Non-reflective |
| Tennessee | 35% | 35% | 35% | Until AS1 line | Non-reflective |
| Texas | 25% | No limit | No limit | 5 in. or until AS1 line, whichever comes first | Up to 25% reflective |
| Utah | 43% | No limit | No limit | Until AS1 line | Non-reflective |
| Vermont | no tint | No limit | No limit | Until AS1 line | Non-reflective |
| Virginia | 50% | 35% / No limit | 35% / No limit | Until AS1 line | Up to 20% reflective |
| Washington | 24% | 24% / No limit | 24% / No limit | 6 in. | Up to 35% reflective |
| Washington, D.C. | 70% | 50% / 35% | 50% / 35% | 5 in. or Until AS1 line | No limit |
| West Virginia | 35% | 35% / No limit | 35% / No limit | 5 in. | 20% reflective |
| Wisconsin | 50% | 35% | 35% | Until AS1 line | No limit |
| Wyoming | 28% | 28% / No limit | 28% / No limit | 5 in. or Until AS1 line | Up to 20% reflective |
Car Window Tinting Advice Based on Window Tint Legal Limits
Check your local window tinting laws before adding tint to your windows. When in doubt, you can simply let professionals handle calculations and installation. They have experience dealing with legal window tint levels, which gives you the reassurance that your car upgrade isn’t breaking any state laws and regulations.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Window Tint
The automotive industry has gone to great lengths to make driving less of a chore and more of a fun activity.
Aside from performance upgrades, several manufacturers have also looked into improving other components that can take ride comfort to the next level一including window tints.
For example, in 2019, Electronic paper manufacturer E Ink has begun developing JustTint, a variable tint film that can digitally change its opacity.
The film has yet to be used for automotive applications. However, BMW took the same vision and brought it closer to the automobile industry when it introduced the iX Flow concept.
BMW introduced an electric SUV concept wrapped in digital tint film that changes hues using laser-cutting film strips.
Adopting this concept could mean that drivers will have the luxury of having different percentages of tint without tearing it from their windows.
They can also adjust the window tint percentage, depending on the temperature and state regulations with a simple push of a button.
Wrapping Up
States have different illegal tint percentages, which is why you must gather all the necessary information before blurting out a random VLT number.
Also, keep in mind that the tint also plays a part in your visibility when driving. Remember that installing a dark tint can compromise your safety, especially when driving in low-light conditions.
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Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
