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State limits checked against statute text · 2026-10-13

30% window tint

30% window tint lets 30% of visible light through the film. By the statute numbers it meets the front side window limit in 13 of the 50 states and DC and is darker than allowed in 38; on a sedan's back side windows it is legal in 31. One catch: the limit is metered through film and glass together, and on the car a 30% film usually reads about 22 to 24%, so a film that only matches the number can meter under it.

What 30% tint looks like

30% VLT
Selected
30% VLT

Medium tint. 30% of visible light passes through; 70% is blocked.

  • Heat rejection depends on the film, not the shade: a 70% ceramic film can reject more heat than a 20% dyed film.
  • Legal minimums differ by state and by window. Check yours before you pick.
Check your state's tint law →Price tint for my car →

Where 30% tint is legal, state by state

Verdicts compare 30% with each state's statute number for passenger cars (sedans). "Legal" means it clears the limit even metered on darker factory glass (72%). *"Legal, at the limit" means it matches or just clears the number but can meter under it on darker glass, so have the installer meter your windows. Many states exempt SUVs and vans behind the driver, and most states with no limit behind the driver require outside mirrors on both sides; open a state for the statute, exemptions and tolerances.

30% window tint legality by state and window
StateFront sidesBack sides (sedans)Rear window (sedans)
AlabamaDarker than allowedDarker than allowedDarker than allowed
AlaskaDarker than allowedDarker than allowedDarker than allowed
ArizonaDarker than allowedNo numeric limitNo numeric limit
ArkansasLegal, at the limit*Legal, at the limit*Legal
CaliforniaDarker than allowedNo numeric limitNo numeric limit
ColoradoLegal, at the limit*Legal, at the limit*Legal, at the limit*
ConnecticutDarker than allowedDarker than allowedNo numeric limit
DelawareDarker than allowedNo numeric limitNo numeric limit
District of ColumbiaDarker than allowedDarker than allowedDarker than allowed
FloridaLegal, at the limit*LegalLegal
GeorgiaDarker than allowedDarker than allowedDarker than allowed
HawaiiDarker than allowedNo numeric limitNo numeric limit
IdahoDarker than allowedLegalDarker than allowed
IllinoisDarker than allowedDarker than allowedDarker than allowed
IndianaLegal, at the limit*No numeric limitLegal, at the limit*
IowaDarker than allowedNo numeric limitNo numeric limit
KansasDarker than allowedDarker than allowedDarker than allowed
KentuckyDarker than allowedLegalLegal
LouisianaLegal, at the limit*Legal, at the limit*Legal
MaineDarker than allowedNo numeric limitNo numeric limit
MarylandDarker than allowedDarker than allowedDarker than allowed
MassachusettsDarker than allowedDarker than allowedDarker than allowed
MichiganNo film allowedNo numeric limitNo numeric limit
MinnesotaDarker than allowedDarker than allowedDarker than allowed
MississippiLegal, at the limit*Legal, at the limit*Legal, at the limit*
MissouriDarker than allowedNo numeric limitNo numeric limit
MontanaLegal, at the limit*LegalLegal
NebraskaDarker than allowedLegalLegal
NevadaDarker than allowedNo numeric limitNo numeric limit
New HampshireDarker than allowedDarker than allowedDarker than allowed
New JerseyNo film allowedNo numeric limitNo numeric limit
New MexicoLegalLegalLegal
New YorkDarker than allowedDarker than allowedNo numeric limit
North CarolinaDarker than allowedDarker than allowedDarker than allowed
North DakotaDarker than allowedNo numeric limitNo numeric limit
OhioDarker than allowedNo numeric limitNo numeric limit
OklahomaLegal, at the limit*Legal, at the limit*Legal, at the limit*
OregonDarker than allowedDarker than allowedDarker than allowed
PennsylvaniaDarker than allowedDarker than allowedDarker than allowed
Rhode IslandDarker than allowedDarker than allowedDarker than allowed
South CarolinaLegal, at the limit*Legal, at the limit*Legal, at the limit*
South DakotaDarker than allowedLegalLegal
TennesseeDarker than allowedDarker than allowedDarker than allowed
TexasLegal, at the limit*No numeric limitNo numeric limit
UtahDarker than allowedNo numeric limitNo numeric limit
VermontNo film allowedNo numeric limitNo numeric limit
VirginiaDarker than allowedDarker than allowedDarker than allowed
WashingtonLegal, at the limit*Legal, at the limit*Legal, at the limit*
West VirginiaDarker than allowedDarker than allowedDarker than allowed
WisconsinDarker than allowedDarker than allowedDarker than allowed
WyomingLegal, at the limit*Legal, at the limit*Legal, at the limit*

Darkness is not heat rejection

The percentage only describes visible light. Most of the heat that warms a cabin is infrared, which a good ceramic film blocks at any shade. If the goal is a cooler car rather than privacy, a lighter ceramic film can beat a darker dyed one; see ceramic tint and compare published heat figures in the tint film comparer.

Frequently asked questions

Is 30% tint legal?

It depends on the state and the window. By the statute numbers, 30% meets the front side window limit in 13 of the 50 states and DC and is darker than allowed in 38. On back side windows of a sedan it is legal in 31; many states also exempt SUVs and vans behind the driver. The table on this page lists every state.

What does 30% tint mean?

The film lets 30% of visible light through on its own. Officers meter the film and the glass together, and factory side glass already blocks 20 to 28%, so a 30% film usually meters about 22 to 24% on the car.

How dark is 30% tint?

Noticeably tinted, a step lighter than the 20-25% look. Front sides where the limit is 30% or lower; it gives a little margin in 25-28% states.

Does 30% tint block more heat than a lighter shade?

Only a little. Darkness is visible light; most of the heat you feel is infrared. A light ceramic film can reject more heat than a dark dyed one, so compare the film's total solar energy rejected (TSER), not the percentage.

Other shades

5% window tint15% window tint20% window tint25% window tint35% window tint50% window tint70% window tint

Window tint laws by state · VLT legality checker · Window tint cost by vehicle · Window tint prices & studios

Reference only, not legal advice. Statutes change and some states allow tolerances or vehicle-type exceptions; confirm on the state page before you install.