What Tint Percentage Should I Get?
Lower number, darker tint. Here's what each shade is like to live with.
The percentage is VLT, visible light transmission: how much light gets through. 5% lets through 5% of the light, which is very dark. 70% lets through most of it, which is barely tinted.
| Shade | Looks like | Living with it |
|---|---|---|
| 5% (limo) | Black from outside | Maximum privacy. Hard to see out at night, so many people only use it on rear windows. |
| 20% | Dark | Strong privacy, still easy to see out during the day. Close to many factory privacy glasses. |
| 35% | Medium | Clearly tinted, easy at night. A common choice for front doors. |
| 50% | Light | Subtle. Mostly for glare and heat. |
| 70% | Nearly clear | For heat and UV without changing the look. Common in ceramic on windshields. |
Check your state’s law first
Every state sets its own limits, usually different for the windshield, front side windows and rear windows. Front side windows are usually the strictest. Look up your state’s current rule before ordering, especially for the front doors and windshield. Some states also allow medical exemptions.
Factory glass changes the math
If your rear windows already have factory privacy glass, any film you add stacks on top of it. 20% film over factory privacy glass ends up far darker than 20% on clear glass. Many SUV and truck owners only tint the front doors to match.
Mixing shades
A common setup is a lighter shade on the front doors, darker on the rear, and a dark sun strip. The builder uses one side-window shade per kit, while the sun strip and windshield each get their own shade.
Questions
20% and 35% are the most common for side and rear windows.
It depends on your state and which window. Many states allow darker tint on rear windows than on front side windows. Check your state’s current law.
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