A window film’s darkness is calculated based on how much of the spectrum of visible light the allows to pass through the tinted surface. The greater the volume of light it lets pass through, the higher the number rating of that tint, and the less the window tint blocks the view to the cabin of a vehicle.
A tint darkness rated at 70% means that the tinted window allows 70% of all visible light to pass through the window. This means in turn the tint rejects just 30% of the visible light. This is a very light tint option, and one that appears clear to many viewers. It nonetheless blocks almost all UV light, reduces the sun’s glare, and can keep a car cooler inside.
Window tint darkness precent is determined based on the window film’s Visible Light Transmission rating, usually abbreviated as the tint’s VLT rating. VLT is the amount of visible light a tint does not block, or in other words, how much light it lets shine through.
The bigger a window tint’s percentage rating, the clearer the window film is and the more light can pass through it. And the smaller the tint’s rating number, the darker the window tint is. A 95% VLT tint is almost as clear as untreated glass, whereas a 5% window film is almost fully black in appearance.
Is 70% tint dark?
No, 70% VLT tint is very light, and may not even be perceptible to some people, both inside and outside the vehicle.
Can you see through 70% tint at night?
Easily. Even after dark, 70% tint remains optically clear and easy to see through from inside the tinted car. If you are concerned about good visibility, reduced UV light and interior heat, and added privacy is not a major concern, this is a great tint choice.
Does 70 tint make a difference?
Yes, even though 70% tint is basically clear, a quality 70% tint will block a significant amount of heat from passing through. The dash and passengers are also protected from 99% of UV rays blocked by the 70% tint. And even though a 70% tint allows 70% of the light to pass through, the 30% of the light that is blocked does provide for a glass reduction that is noticeable to the driver.
What does 70% windshield tint look like?
70% tint for the most part is unnoticeable once installed. If compared side by side to a non-tinted window, you can then tell the difference, but on it’s own it appears clear. 70% tint often a have a bluish hue to them.
FAQs
What Is a 70% Windshield Tint? A 70% windshield tint is a tinted screen that can be fixed onto a vehicle's glass to allow a specific percentage of light, 70%, to pass through it. In other words, it's the protective section of an automobile with a Visible Light Transmission (VLT) of 70 percent.
How dark is 70% light transmission? ›
For example, if you apply a tint of 70% VLT, it allows 70% of sunlight to pass through your windows. Therefore, it only blocks 30% of the sun. The darker the film you apply, the lower the amount of light that can get through will be — more light will be reflected off your window.
What percent tint looks best? ›
50%-70%: This is a good compromise between privacy and visibility. It blocks out enough light to reduce some glare and heat, but it's still light enough to see through easily. 35%-50%: This is a slightly darker tint that offers a little more privacy while giving more heat and glare reduction.
How much heat does a 70 ceramic tint block? ›
REJECTS UP TO 99% OF HEAT RAYS.
Is 30% tint dark enough? ›
For those wanting the benefits of the best auto window tint without going too dark, 30% is a nice compromise between medical and security needs versus state laws. At night, however, a 30% tint can still be too dark for some drivers' preferences.
Is 50% tint darker than 35%? ›
A Higher Window Tint Percentage Doesn't Equal Darker Windows. You might think a higher window tint percentage will give your darker windows, but actually, the opposite is true.
What's the darkest tint you can get? ›
When vehicles come with a factory tint, it's usually between 15% and 20%. A 5% is the darkest tint you can get, and you can't see through 5% tinted car windows at all. In most states, a 5% tint is illegal. It's most commonly used on the back windows of private cars and limousines.
How to tell if window tint is too dark? ›
Difficulty Seeing. If your car's window tint is too dark, it can make it difficult to see clearly while driving, especially at night or in low-light conditions. This can be a safety hazard and may require you to replace the tint with a lighter shade.
How dark is 20 tint? ›
On the other hand, 20% dark tint lets in 20% of visible light, resulting in a slightly lighter tint that still offers privacy and a stylish look. When deciding between these options, consider your desired level of darkness and the overall appearance you wish to achieve.
What percent tint is good at night? ›
The "Five Percent Rule" One often-cited rule of thumb when it comes to window tint at night is the “five percent rule”. This rule states that anything darker than five percent will be difficult to impossible to see through at night.
Ceramic tint is the superior option for UV protection, heat resistance, signal transparency, and nighttime visibility.
What is the best overall tint? ›
List of 10 Best Window Tint Brands
| Brand | Founded | Key Products |
|---|
| LLumar | 1957 | CTX Series, AIR Series, ATR Series |
| 3M | 1902 | Crystalline Series, Color Stable Series, FX Premium Series |
| XPEL | 1997 | PRIME XR Plus, PRIME CS, PRIME HP |
| Hüper Optik | 1997 | Ceramic Series, Ceramic IR Series, Fusion Series |
6 more rows70% tint for the most part is unnoticeable once installed.
What does 70% tint darkness look like? ›
What Does a 70% Tint Look Like? A 70% tint allows approximately 70% of visible light to pass through the window, making it a relatively light tint option. While still providing some level of tinting, a 70% tint offers a balance between glare reduction, UV protection, and visibility.
What does it mean when it says 70% with factory tint windows? ›
In past years, this was an option for most cars, but it has become pretty standard. 70% is the amount of light transmitted, so the tint on those windows is blocking 30% of the sunlight.
What are the darkest legal tints? ›
For the front windshield, tint is restricted to the top four inches of the windshield. On the vehicle's front side windows, tint must allow for 70% light transmission, so 30% tint is the maximum. For the vehicle's side rear windows, any level of tint is allowed, and this applies to the rear windshield as well.
What percent tint is legal in NY? ›
Section 375 (12-a) of the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law does not allow a windshield or front side windows that are dark. The windshield and front side windows cannot block more than 30% of the light. Seventy percent or more of the light from the outside must pass through the window.
Is 70 windshield tint legal in Texas? ›
The Lone Star State requires windshield glass to allow at least 70% of outdoor light to enter vehicles. A tinted windshield must also have a luminous reflectance level that doesn't exceed 25 percent. This number indicates the amount of light reflected by a window. Texas has banned red, amber and blue tints.
What percent tint is legal in PA? ›
Car Window Tint Laws in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, cars (meaning sedans and coupes, not larger vehicles) can have window tint rated at 70% VLT or lighter on all side windows of the car and on the rear windshield. This window tint cannot be reflective or mirrored in appearance.
