Utah Window Tint Percentage: Common Ranges to Choose From

Window tint for vehicles comes with several distinct benefits, from protection against the sun’s UV rays to increased privacy and security of the vehicle. And depending on which of these areas you’re most interested in, plus a few related factors, your choice of window tint “percentage” may vary significantly.

At Pro Tint Utah, we’re proud to offer a wide range of window tinting services in Utah, with a huge range of different tint levels and percentages available depending on your needs and desires. We offer tints for vehicles of any color and style, and will help you choose the ideal tint level based on all the important variables. In this two-part blog series, we’ll go over some basics on vehicle tint percentage, plus how to choose the ideal number for your car.

Window Tint Percentage Basics

First and foremost, let’s define window tint percentage for those who aren’t aware of what it is. As the name suggests, window tint percentage refers to how much of the visible light entering a vehicle through its glass is blocked by the tint itself.

The total percentage of light allowed through is equal to 100 minus the number you see, so if a tint allows 30% of visible light in it’s labeled as “30% window tint.” The label is based on the percentage of light blocked in a theoretical scenario in which only a single line of light strikes a window, and not an entire beam.

So, what does this mean for you when picking out the right tinted film for your car? Here are a couple general window tint percentage ranges that are generally offered, plus the benefits each tend to offer.

50% or 35%

Perhaps the two most common window tint percentages in many areas are 50% and 35% window tint. For those using 50% window tint, blockage of UV rays is the biggest benefit. UV rays, which are highly linked to skin cancer, can cause extensive damage from the inside of a vehicle.

In places where it’s legal to drive with 50% window tinting, many still prefer the extra privacy and heat blocking aspects of 35% tint. This tint offers a bit better visibility than lower tint levels for those who prefer it, but still provides improved protection from sun rays compared to 50%.

20% or Below

In many other cases, clients will prefer either 20% tint or a lower number, often as low as 5% tint. These numbers offer an ideal balance between UV blocking and heat management as well as privacy — it’s tough top see into a car’s interior if it has even 20% tint applied to its windows, which deters onlookers and potential criminals from poking around.

It should be noted that in many states or locations, 5% tint is actually illegal because it’s too dark. As we’ll dig into in part two of this series, knowing local regulations is important in this area as well.

For more on how to choose the ideal window tint percentage for your vehicle, or to learn about any of our window tint or paint protection services in Utah, speak to the team at Pro Tint Utah today.