25% Window Tint: What It Looks Like and Where It's Legal

What 25% tint looks like

A step lighter than 20% and it shows: from outside in daylight you can make out a face at the glass, though not clearly, and the cabin is dim rather than black. From inside, the difference from 35% is real but not dramatic - night driving stays comfortable for most people. It reads as dark tint without looking like a limo.

What it is used for

Front side windows in states whose floor is 25%, where it is the darkest legal choice and the figure many local installers quote by default. Also a whole-car tint for drivers who want privacy but drive a lot at night, and the back half of cars whose factory glass is lighter than usual.

Legal on front side windows in 7 states

Sedan rules. A state is listed when its minimum VLT for that window is 25% or lower, or it sets no limit there.

Arkansas Louisiana Montana New Mexico Oklahoma Texas Washington

Legal on back side windows in 25 states

Sedan rules. A state is listed when its minimum VLT for that window is 25% or lower, or it sets no limit there.

Arizona Arkansas California Delaware Florida Idaho Iowa Kentucky Louisiana Maine Michigan Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Jersey New Mexico North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma South Dakota Texas Utah Vermont Washington

Legal on the rear window in 26 states

Sedan rules. A state is listed when its minimum VLT for that window is 25% or lower, or it sets no limit there.

Arizona Arkansas California Connecticut Delaware Florida Iowa Kentucky Louisiana Maine Michigan Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Jersey New Mexico New York North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma South Dakota Texas Utah Vermont Washington

Questions