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Live UV index at your location with color-coded level, sun protection recommendations, and safety tips.
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Quick Sun Safety
Health Reference
The UV Index was developed by the World Health Organization to help people protect themselves from solar radiation. Higher values mean stronger UV radiation and faster skin damage.
UV indices of 3-5 (moderate to high) are typically good for tanning, but any UV exposure carries skin damage risk. Safer approach: use SPF 30+ sunscreen, limit exposure to 15-20 minutes initially, and increase gradually. The UV index of 6+ can cause burns quickly.
UV indices 0-2 (low to minimal) are safest for extended outdoor exposure without protection. UV 3-5 requires sunscreen and protective clothing. UV 6+ requires high SPF (50+), hat, and shade. No UV level is completely "safe" without sun protection.
The UV Index (0-11+) measures the strength of ultraviolet radiation from the sun at Earth's surface. Developed by the WHO, higher values indicate stronger UV and greater risk of skin damage. It accounts for time of day, season, altitude, and cloud cover.
Yes. UV index 7 (high) means skin can burn in 20-30 minutes without protection. It requires SPF 30+ sunscreen, reapplication every 2 hours, protective clothing, and shade seeking. This is typical for midday sun in summer or year-round at high altitudes/equatorial regions.
Yes, but risky. Thirty minutes in UV 7 with no protection will cause significant sunburn in most skin types. For safe tanning: use SPF 15+ sunscreen, limit to 20-minute sessions, and build gradually over multiple days. Always prioritize skin health over tanning.
Gen Z tanning trends emphasize sun-free methods: spray tans, self-tanners, and tanning lotions. Awareness of UV damage, skin cancer risk, and premature aging has reduced traditional outdoor tanning. Digital filters and makeup also create tanned appearance without UV exposure.
FAQ
UV indices of 3-5 (moderate to high) are typically good for tanning, but any UV exposure carries skin damage risk. Safer approach: use SPF 30+ sunscreen, limit exposure to 15-20 minutes initially, and increase gradually. The UV index of 6+ can cause burns quickly.
UV indices 0-2 (low to minimal) are safest for extended outdoor exposure without protection. UV 3-5 requires sunscreen and protective clothing. UV 6+ requires high SPF (50+), hat, and shade. No UV level is completely "safe" without sun protection.
The UV Index (0-11+) measures the strength of ultraviolet radiation from the sun at Earth's surface. Developed by the WHO, higher values indicate stronger UV and greater risk of skin damage. It accounts for time of day, season, altitude, and cloud cover.
Yes. UV index 7 (high) means skin can burn in 20-30 minutes without protection. It requires SPF 30+ sunscreen, reapplication every 2 hours, protective clothing, and shade seeking. This is typical for midday sun in summer or year-round at high altitudes/equatorial regions.
Yes, but risky. Thirty minutes in UV 7 with no protection will cause significant sunburn in most skin types. For safe tanning: use SPF 15+ sunscreen, limit to 20-minute sessions, and build gradually over multiple days. Always prioritize skin health over tanning.
Gen Z tanning trends emphasize sun-free methods: spray tans, self-tanners, and tanning lotions. Awareness of UV damage, skin cancer risk, and premature aging has reduced traditional outdoor tanning. Digital filters and makeup also create tanned appearance without UV exposure.