Over the last few years, window tinting has taken the automotive world by storm. Many car owners often look for the darkest tint to prevent potential thieves from peeking in and trying to steal their valuables. But what if the amount of window tint you opt for your vehicle is illegal in your state?
Therefore, before you go for tinting the windows of your car, you need to know the legal window tint percentage based on the state you live in. No matter which state you belong to, we will help you determine the legal window tint percentage.
However, before we jump to that, let’s briefly go through the benefits of window tint and how it works.
State Window Tint Law: At First Glance
Front Side Windows
The map is based on the law details we could find for each state. Let’s take a look at the allowed percentages for the front-side windows.
Rear Side Windows
One thing to remember is that the percentages for backside windows are different in each state. Let’s take a look at the allowed percentages for the back-side windows.
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Tinted car windows are illegal in many places for various reasons. I’ll explain why it’s illegal in this article and advise you to help determine which window tint you should use.
What Is Window Tint And Its Benefit?
Window tint is a thin, scratch-resistant polyester base film installed on the interior and exterior of automobile glass surfaces. People do vehicle window tinting for multiple reasons, but most commonly, they protect the skin against harmful UV rays. A high amount of UV ray exposure can cause skin cancer.
Not only does your skin get damaged due to these rays, but your car’s dashboard and upholstery are prone to damage. In addition to UV ray protection, the car’s window tint maintains the internal summer temperature.
Window tinting also comes with a shutter proofing feature. The glass will stay intact despite being broken into pieces, thus reducing your chances of getting injured in car accidents. Every year about 3 million nonfatal car crash injuries are caused due to shuttered glasses.
How Does Window Tint Work?
A regular car glass surface has a VLA% and VLR% of 5% each, allowing the remaining 90% visible light transmission VLT% to your car. On the other hand, window tint decreases the amount of light (VLT%) entering your vehicle.
Some window tints are made of polyester. A few also use a thin coat of metal fragments and colored dye that block the thermal energy, including infrared and ultraviolet rays.
Window Tint Percentage Options
Window tint percentage refers to the amount of light transmitting through your vehicle windows. From 5%-90%, there is a wide range of window tint percentage options. Let’s have a look at them.
50%
50% window tint means that only half of the sun’s rays can pass through your car’s window. This is the right option if you don’t want your car to be completely dark. It will decrease the heat and UV rays entering your vehicle. Also, it will reduce eye strain due to the sun’s glare, thus ensuring safe driving.
35%
Window tint with 35% will give you more darkness than 50%. If you want to add a touch of style and elegance, you should opt for 35% window tint.
20% and Below
With 20%-15% window tint, you can see through the windows only if you are close enough, which makes it a great choice if you prefer safety and privacy. 5% is the darkest window tint than the rest.
However, if you choose 5% tint, you must be careful because 5% tint is illegal in many states. Also, it is only used in limousines and private cars.
Here’s a window tint percentages chart for your reference:
Why are tinting ratios regulated?
High window tint percentage limits the driver’s vision and increases the risk of accidents. Also, dark tint makes it difficult for police officers to see inside the cars, which can be hectic for you and the police.
Moreover, law enforcement personnel know what percentage of the front, back, or rear side windows’ tint is legal and illegal according to state laws. So, to be safe, let’s check out the legal window tint ratio.
Legal Window Tint Percentage By State
If you don’t want to get pulled over due to your dark windows, know your state’s ideal legal window tint percentages. We will tell you about the car window tint legal limits that comply with state laws. But let’s first look at terms that you’ll come across.
Window Tint Terms and Definition
- Window tint darkness is presented by VLT% or visible light transmission.
- Passenger and driver’s side windows are called front-side windows.
- The rear seat passenger windows refer to the rest of the windows.
- The marking around the upper corner of the windshield is known as AS1.
- Tint reflection is the metallic or reflective feature of the window.
- A slash separates the value of VLT for the rear sides and rear window.
- Windshield band refers to the rectangular band of window tint at the top of the windshield extending downwards.
Regulations on Window Tint Percentage By State
Here are some window tint laws regarding car windows, rear windows, and windshields.
| State | Front Side Windows | Rear Sides/Rear Windows | Windshield | Reflectivity |
| Arizona | 33% | No Restrictions/No Restrictions | AS1 | Up to 35% |
| Colorado | 27% | 27%/27% | 4″ | Non-reflective |
| Arkansas | 25% | 25%10% | 5″ | Non-reflective |
| Florida | 28% | 15%/15 | AS1 | Up to 25% |
| Delaware | 70% | No Restrictions/No Restrictions | AS1 | Non-reflective |
| Georgia | 32% | 32%/32% | 6″ | Up to 20 % |
| Maryland | 35% | 35%/35% | 5″ | No limit |
| Idaho | 35% | 20%/35% | AS1 | Up to 35% |
| Illinois | 35% | 35%/35% | 6″ | Non-reflective |
| Alabama | 32% | 32%/32% | 6″ | Up to 20% |
| Indiana | 30% | 30%/30% | AS1 | Up to 25% |
| Louisiana | 40% | 25%/12% | AS1 | Up to 20% |
| Iowa | 70% | No Restrictions/No Restrictions | AS1 | Non-reflective |
| Kansas | 35% | 35%/35% | AS1 | Non-reflective |
| California | 70% | No Restrictions/No Restrictions | 4″ | Non-reflective |
| Kentucky | 35% | 18%/18% | AS1 | Up to 25% |
| Alaska | 70% | 40%/30% | 5″ | No-reflective |
| Maine | 35% | No Restrictions/No Restrictions | 4″ | Not Sure |
| Connecticut | 35% | 35%/No Restrictions | AS1 | Front Side 20% and Rear Window 27% |
| Massachusetts | 35% | 35%/35% | 6″ | Up to 35% |
| Hawaii | 32% | 35%/35% | 70% light | Non-reflective |
| New York | 70% | 70%/No Restrictions | 6″ | Non-reflective |
| Michigan | 4″ | No Restrictions/No Restrictions | 4″ | Up to 35% |
| Wyoming | 28% | 28%/28% | 5″/AS1 | Up to 20% |
| Minnesota | 50% | 50%/50% | NONE | Up o 20% |
| North Dakota | 50% | No Restrictions/No Restrictions | <70% | Non-reflective |
| Mississippi | 28% | 28%/28% | AS1 | Up to 20% |
| South Dakota | 35% | 20%/20% | AS1 | Non-reflective |
| Missouri | 35% | No Restrictions/No Restrictions | AS1 | Up to 35% |
| Virginia | 50% | 35%/35% | AS1 | Up to 20% |
| Montana | 24% | 14%/14% | AS1 | Up to 35% |
| Nebraska | 35% | 20%/20% | 5″/AS1 | Up to 35% |
| Pennsylvania | 70% | 70%/70% | NONE | Non-reflective |
| Nevada | 35% | No Restrictions/No Restrictions | AS1 | No limit |
| Rhode Island | 70% | 70%/70% | AS1 | No limit |
| New Hampshire | NONE | 35%/35% | 6″ | Non-reflective |
| Oregon | 35% | 35%/35% | 6″ | Up to 13% |
| New Jersey | NONE | No Restrictions/No Restrictions | NONE | Non-reflective |
| Texas | 25% | 25%/35% | 5″/AS1 | Up to 25% |
| Ohio | 50% | No Restrictions/No Restrictions | <70% | Reflective like a standard window |
| South Carolina | 27% | 27%/27% | AS1 | Not sure |
| Tennessee | 35% | 35%/35% | AS1 | Non-reflective |
| Utah | 43% | No Restrictions/No Restrictions | AS1 | Non-reflective |
| Washington | 24% | 24%24% | 6″ | Up to 35% |
| Oklahoma | 25% | 25%/25% | 5″/AS1 | Up to 20% |
| Washington D.C | 70% | 50%/50% | 5″ or AS1 | No limit |
| North Carolina | 35% | 35%/35% | AS1 | Up to 20% |
| West Virginia | 35% | 35%/35% | 5″ | 20% reflective |
| Vermont | NONE | No Restrictions/32% | 32% | Non-reflective |
| New Mexico | 20% | 20%/20% | 5″/AS1 | No limit |
| Wisconsin | 50% | 35%/35% | AS1 | No limit |
How To Calculate Tint Percentage?
Window tint percentage is calculated by multiplying the original VLT of the original windows by the VLT of the tint you are going for. For example, if your vehicle’s windows have 40% VLT and the tint you choose has 15% VLT, the window tint percentage would be 15×40/100= 6%.
How To Choose The Best Tint Percentage?
You should consider a few things if you want to choose the best window tint percentage.
Consider Why You Want To Tint Your Car
To decide the percentage, you first need to know why you want to apply them in the first place. Is it to seek protection against harmful UV rays? If so, you can opt for a perfect window tint percentage that significantly blocks UV rays without darkening the windows.
If you want privacy and safety against burglars, a darker tint percentage would be a perfect choice.
Know The Window Tint Laws In Your State
Going for a tint percentage that is illegal in your state can lead you to get pulled off, in fact, to courts and being asked to remove the tints. Therefore, choose the percentage that is permissible in your state.
Exemptions
Few states, such as Florida, exempt people from Lupus, scleroderma, and DeSanctis-Cacchione Syndrome. If you suffer from these diseases, you can apply for a tint waiver in your state. You need proof from a physician that you are photosensitive/photophobic to get away from the window tinting laws.
Look At Other Cars
If this is your first time opting for window tinting, you should look at other cars for inspiration. This way, you’ll see many options right before you and get an idea of how your automobile will look after being tinted.
Decide On The Aesthetics Of Your Car
Your car is going to change after the windows are tinted. The interior will look different, and the outside of your vehicle will also have a calm, classy, and sleek aesthetic. Decide what your automobile looks like, then choose the desired window tint percentages.
High-Quality Films
Whether you want 50% tint or 5%, always go to a professional auto window tinting shop. If you buy window tint film from an ordinary shop, you might get not-so-reliable window film. And in the end, you will have to go through the process all over again. So, choose an expert in window tinting or go to a commercial window tinting shop.
Consider Hiring Professionals
Although you can install window tints independently, you won’t have the desired results. Your tint can bubble if not applied properly. It will fade in just a few months, and you must do it again. So it is better to leave the job to the professionals.
Working with a professional will give you quality assurance and help you decide on a car window tint percentage illegal in your state.
FAQs
What exactly is Chameleon Tint?
Can New Tints Be Affected by Rain?
Is blue window tint permitted?
Final Considerations
From privacy assurance to UV protection, window tints have many benefits. However, you must get a non-reflective tint that aligns with your state’s car window tinting laws. Plus, going overboard with car window tinting can lead to accidents, as we have mentioned before as well.
So, following state laws to protect yourself from unnecessary trouble or inconvenience is crucial. You can see the table above to understand your state’s ideal window tint percentage. Choose the ratio that gives you the full advantage of window tints without breaking the law.
