Selection of tint for car windows could be a challenging process. You will find 5%, 15%, 35%, or 50% written on a particular roll of film without understanding what these percentages stand for. Such percentages indicate the amount of light passing through the film. The lower percentage indicates a dark tint, while the higher percentage represents a light tint.
But the film number is only one part of the result. Your car glass may already have some tint. The local laws also vary in terms of tinting limits on the various types of windows. Here is a guide to help you understand window tint percentages, comparisons, appearance, and things to consider when choosing one.
What Do Window Tint Percentages Mean?
Window tint percentages indicate how much visible light passes through the film. It’s known as Visible Light Transmission, or VLT. In the case of 5% film, 5% visible light passes through the film. 50% film allows 50% visible light to pass through the film. Hence, 5% film appears darker than 50% film.
The principle is quite straightforward:
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Lower VLT number = darker window.
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Higher VLT number = lighter window.
The final VLT of a car window can also depend on the original glass. When the glass is already tinted by the factory, putting on a 50% film does not necessarily mean that the window will be 50% tint. The film and the original glass work together.
This matters when you need to meet a legal window tint percentage. Some laws look at the final amount of light that passes through the whole window, not just the film by itself. Florida law, for example, defines light transmittance as the amount of light that passes through the material and glazing together.
Window Tint Percentage Chart
This is an easy way to remember the different tint percentages.
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Tint Percentage
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How It Looks
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Light Through
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Privacy Level
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Common Use
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5% tint
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Very dark
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Very little
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Very high
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Rear or privacy glass where allowed
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15 percent tint
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Dark
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Low
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High
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Side and rear windows
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35% tint
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Medium
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Moderate
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Moderate
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Daily driving
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50% tint
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Light
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More light
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Lower
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Lighter look and some front windows
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A 5% tint gives a very dark look. It allows very little visible light through the film.
15 percent tint is still dark, but it allows more light than 5%. It gives a dark look without going to the lowest VLT level.
35% tint gives a medium shade. There is more light coming into the car, and you can see through the glass better.
The 50% tint looks much lighter. It allows much more visible light through and gives better visibility from inside and outside.
Remember that this tint percentage chart gives a general idea. The final look can change because of the car glass, film type, and light outside.
5% Tint: What Does It Look Like?
5% tint is very dark. Only a small amount of visible light can pass through the film. From outside, the windows may look almost black. This gives a high level of privacy during the day. It also cuts a large amount of bright visible light. The dark shade can be useful for people who want a strong privacy look. But it can also make it harder to see through the glass when there is little light outside.
Night driving is an important point here. A very dark rear or side window may make parking and reversing harder in dark places. You also need to check your local law before choosing 5% tint. A 5% film may be allowed on some rear windows but not on front side windows in another place. A 5% film does not mean the finished window will always measure exactly 5%. Factory glass can change the final result.
15 Percent Tint: How Dark Is It?
15 percent tint gives a dark look but allows more light through than 5% tint. It can give your car a strong tinted appearance without going as dark as a 5% film. It also gives good privacy during the day. The difference between 5% and 15% is easily noticeable. With 5%, the glass looks very dark. With 15%, you get a little more light and a little more view through the window.
TERMINAX offers window films close to this level. Its Ceramic-X™ IR has a 15% VLT option. That version has 68% total solar energy rejection, 69% infrared energy rejection, and at least 99% UV rejection according to the current product specifications. So, tint darkness and heat control are not the same thing. A film can have a dark shade and also use film technology made for heat and UV control.
35% Tint: Is It Dark or Light?
35% tint sits between very dark and light tint options. It allows more visibility of light than the 5% and 15% tints. The windows will appear darker than the clear or very light glass, although the vision from the inside is much clearer. This level can suit people who want some privacy without making the windows very dark. It can also give the car a clean, tinted look without the heavy darkness of a 5% film.
TERMINAX has several films close to the 35% level. Ceramic-X™ IR has a 36% VLT option, with 62% total solar energy rejection and 71% infrared energy rejection. Ceramic-X™ Spectra also has a 36% VLT option, with 61% total solar energy rejection and 70% infrared energy rejection. The actual legal limit still depends on your location and the window position. You should check the final VLT before installation.
50% Tint: What Does 50% Window Tint Look Like?
50% tint is much lighter compared to 5%, 15%, and 35%. It lets in roughly half of the visible light rays into the film. Because of this, the windows keep a fairly light appearance. You can see through them more easily than darker films. Some drivers choose this type of tint when they want a light look instead of heavy privacy. It can also make sense when local rules require a higher VLT.
One important point is that a 50% film does not always give a final 50% VLT reading. If your car already has tinted glass, the final reading can be lower. TERMINAX offers films above and around this range. UltraCrystal-X™ has a 46% VLT option and a 56% VLT option. Its 46% version has 58% total solar energy rejection and 70% infrared energy rejection.
How Car Tint Percentages Affect Visibility
Percentage tint affects the visibility of the car window. With more darkness in the film, there will be less visible light allowed in. This means that during the daytime, it increases privacy for the car occupants and reduces the bright light inside the car. However, at nighttime, it becomes harder to see out of the windows.
It becomes important when parking, reversing, changing lanes, and even driving in areas that lack good lighting. The glass itself also matters. Factory-tinted glass can make a window darker before you add any film. The type of film can also change the driving experience. A good film should give a clear view without making the glass look cloudy or distorted. For this reason, do not choose a film only by its darkness. Check the VLT, the glass, the film quality, and the rules for your vehicle.
Legal Window Tint Percentage and Tint Laws
There is no single legal window tint percentage for every car and every place.
Different states and countries use different rules. Some have one limit for the front side windows and another for the rear windows. Windshields can have their own rules too.
Florida gives a clear example. Its current law requires at least 28% visible light transmittance for certain side windows beside or forward of the driver. For windows behind the driver, the law generally allows at least 15% VLT, while certain multipurpose passenger vehicles can use at least 6% VLT.
Australia has different rules. In Victoria, front side windows must have at least 35% VLT. Rear windows can have at least 20% VLT when the vehicle has the required side mirrors. The windscreen must have at least 70% VLT, with a limited darker strip allowed at the top.
The UK also uses different limits. The front windscreen must allow at least 75% of light through, while the front side windows must allow at least 70%.
Texas uses different rules. Its transportation code includes requirements for light transmission and also sets specific conditions for windshield sunscreening devices.
These examples show why you should not assume that 35% or 50% tint is legal everywhere.
Window Tint Percentage Laws by State
U.S. window tint percentage laws are different from one state to another. The legal limit can also change based on the part of the car. A state may have one rule for the front side windows and another for the rear windows.
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State
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Front Side Windows
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Rear Windows
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Windshield
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California
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Generally at least 70% VLT for front side windows
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Different rules can apply to rear windows
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Restrictions apply
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Florida
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At least 28% VLT
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At least 15% VLT; 6% for certain multipurpose passenger vehicles
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Tint is generally limited to the top strip
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Texas
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25% or more for certain covered windows when measured with the required conditions
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Rear side and rear windows have different rules and exemptions
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25% or more for an allowed sunscreening device, with other conditions
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New York
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At least 70% VLT for side windows next to or forward of the driver
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Generally 70% VLT for the rear window when the vehicle does not have dual outside mirrors
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At least 70% VLT below the top 6 inches for newer vehicles
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How to Choose the Right Window Tint Percentage
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Start with your local law. This should come before you choose how dark you want the windows.
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Consider how you utilize your automobile.
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If privacy is your primary concern, then you may go for dark films. If you frequently drive during the nighttime, you might want to have clear glass.
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Think about the factory glass too. Some cars already have dark rear glass. Adding a dark film on top can make the final VLT much lower.
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Your preferred look also matters. Some people want a deep black appearance. Others prefer a light tint that keeps the glass easy to see through.
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You do not need the same VLT on every window. There may be variations in levels of tint for your front and rear windows.
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It is important to select one that suits you and your automobile and meets the regulations of where you drive from.
Does Tint Percentage Affect Heat Rejection?
Tint percentage and heat rejection are two different things. A darker film does not always mean it will reject more heat. Film technology also plays a major role.
For example, TERMINAX Ceramic-X™ IR offers a 36% VLT option with 62% total solar energy rejection and 71% infrared energy rejection. Its 53% VLT option still has 55% total solar energy rejection and 70% infrared energy rejection.
This shows why you should not look only at the darkness number. A light film can still have strong heat-control performance if the film uses suitable technology. The same idea applies to UV protection and glare reduction. So, when you compare window films, look at VLT along with solar energy rejection, infrared rejection, UV rejection, and glare reduction.
TERMINAX Window Film Options by Tint Percentage
TERMINAX has several window film lines with different VLT levels. This gives you more choices when you need a certain level of light transmission.
UltraCrystal-X™ Window Film
UltraCrystal-X™ Window Film has VLT choices from 15% to 90%. The range encompasses 15%, 24%, 36%, 46%, 56%, 77%, 83%, and 90%. The film uses a thousand-layer optical structure and has low haze. Its 46% option has 58% total solar energy rejection and 70% infrared energy rejection.
Ceramic-X™ IR Window Film
The Ceramic-X™ IR Window Film series includes 5%, 15%, 25%, 36%, 46%, 53%, and 70% visible light transmission options. The 5% variant possesses 72% total solar energy rejection. The 36% version has 62% total solar energy rejection and 71% infrared energy rejection. The listed versions also have at least 99% UV rejection.
Ceramic-X™ Spectra Window Film
The Ceramic-X™ Spectra Window Film offers options for 5%, 15%, 25%, 36%, 47%, 56%, and 69% visible light transmission. Its 36% option reflects 61% of total solar energy and 70% of infrared energy. This gives you several levels between very dark and light. The range can be useful when you want to compare shade with heat-control performance.
Ceramic IR Window Film
Ceramic IR Window Film has 8%, 18%, 31%, 48%, and 76% VLT options. Its 48% option has 50% total solar energy rejection and 56% infrared energy rejection. The listed versions have at least 99% UV rejection.
X-Dyed Window Film
X-Dyed Window Film offers films at 6%, 17%, 35%, 46%, and 71% VLT levels. Its 35% version provides a good example of the significance of film types. It has 35% VLT, while its listed heat and infrared figures are separate measurements.
The key thing to remember here is that knowing the tint percent of a film does not mean that you know all there is to know about it. It may be that two films have the same VLT but different heat, glare, and UV performance characteristics.
Does Factory-Tinted Glass Change the Final Tint Percentage?
Yes. Factory glass can change the final VLT. Your car may already have glass that blocks some visible light. When you add window film, the two work together. The finished glass can therefore look darker than the film alone. For instance, when a film that is 35% is laid over clear glass, it is not the same as when it is laid over dark factory glass.
This matters when you need to meet a legal limit. Florida law, for example, measures light transmittance on the specific vehicle glass for certain tint rules. If your chosen film is close to the legal limit, ask the installer to measure the glass before and after installation. This will give you an actual number rather than just going by the film designation.
Final Thoughts
Window tint percentages make perfect sense when you know what VLT is. The smaller the percentage, the darker the glass will be, while the larger the percentage, the more light gets through. 5% is very dark. 15% is dark. 35% gives a medium look. 50% is much lighter. However, the value by itself should not be the basis of your decision-making. Look at the quality of factory glass, your personal needs, and the legal percentage of tinting windows in your locality. Other criteria include heat rejection capacity, ultraviolet rejection capacity, glare reduction, and visibility through the film. The right film is the one that suits your car and is compliant with the law in your area.
FAQs About Window Tint Percentages
What does window tint percentage mean?
Window tint percentages indicate the amount of light that is allowed to pass through the glass. If the window tint percentage is low, then the window tint will be dark, while a higher percentage means a lighter tint.
Is 5% tint darker than 15%?
Yes. The 5% film will be darker since it will allow less visible light. The 15% film will allow more light, hence giving a lighter shade.
Is 35% tint dark?
35% tint produces a moderately dark appearance. It is less dark than 5% and 15% tint but darker than 50% tint.
Is 50% tint legal?
It depends upon the place you live in and the window. Laws regarding tinting allow for different minimum VLTs for the windshield and front and back side windows.
What is the best tint percentage for a car?
There is not that there is one choice that fits all vehicles. First, check your state’s laws regarding your windshield, and then make a choice of the right VLT.