Changing Your Car: What is the Legal Window Tint Percentage?

If you’re a big fan of customizing your car, you may like the look that you get from having tinted windows. But you may notice that other cars have different shades of dark windows. This is because of the differences for the legal window tint percentage that can vary between states.

Window tinting can offer a sleek and sporty look to your car, as well as help with the security of what’s inside. But regardless of your desired look, all cars need to fall within the state regulations and legal limit for tinted windows. Knowing what those regulations and legal limits for the state you’re in will keep you out of trouble.

Looking to tint your car’s windows any time soon? You’ll need to know the various regulations regarding window tint percentage on cars. Continue reading to learn all about window tint percentages and how you can follow state regulations.

What Is the General Legal Window Tint Percentage?

Window tinting prevents light from going into your vehicle through the windows. It’s a vinyl film that is placed on the window and blocks out the light from outside. The amount of light that is let through is the tint percentage, with 5% being the darkest and over 50% having no tint whatsoever.

The general legal window tint percentage varies from state to state and divides between the front and rear side windows. Most places in the United States fall within a range of 20% – 35% for front side windows, while rear side windows are allowed the 30% margin for tint percentage.

For front side windows only the state of Michigan allows for any tint percentage, with places like California, New York, and Pennsylvania going up to 70%. Rear side windows are given more leeway, with more states allowing any percentage of tint on them. Nevada, Arizona, California, and Maine all allow any percent of tint for rear-side windows.

What’s the Benefit of Having Tint?

The biggest benefit to having tinted windows is having the inside of your car protected from sunlight. States with hotter climates and a stronger presence of sunlight often have a higher tolerance for darker tinted windows.

Blocking UV rays from the sun can help prevent skin cancer and keep the inside temperature of the vehicle cooler. You should find the best automotive window tint for your car if you’re concerned about protecting yourself from the sun.

The inverse of this is how other states have a tighter legal limit for tint percentages on car windows. Some states also don’t allow you to tint your entire windshield. For most places, however, a good balance between the legal limit and good sunlight protection would be around 35% tint on the windows of a vehicle.

Knowing All About Window Tint Percentage Limits

With our look at the legal window tint percentage, you will have a good idea of how much you can tint the windows of your vehicle. As long as you’re within the legal limit of what is allowed, you can customize your windows as much as you like. Find more helpful articles and information by visiting the rest of our website.