Window TintPercentages
Tint darkness is measured in VLT, short for Visible Light Transmission. The number is the percentage of light the film lets through, so 35% tint transmits 35% of the light and blocks the other 65%. Lower number means darker glass. Here is what each percentage actually looks like, what it does for heat, and where Texas law draws the line.
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What Each Tint Percentage Looks Like
Every preview below blocks exactly the share of light its VLT number says it blocks. A 35% film transmits 35% of the light, so the 35% panel sits at 65% coverage.
Legal on front side windows in Texas. The state requires more than 25% of light to pass through, and 35% clears that.
Previews simulate light transmission only. Actual appearance varies with factory glass, which is often already tinted from the manufacturer. See our tint packages
Texas Transportation Code
Which Percentages Are Legal in Texas?
The percentage you can run depends entirely on which window it goes on. Texas only sets a floor on the front.
| Glass Area | Texas Legal Limit | What We Install |
|---|---|---|
| Windshield | Non-reflective film on the top 5 inches or above the AS-1 line, whichever is lower | 70% or clear ceramic IR film across the full windshield, which is legal because it is not a darkening tint |
| Front Side Windows | Must allow more than 25% of light through, so 25% VLT is the floor | 35% for margin above the limit, or 30% if you want darker |
| Back Side Windows | Any percentage permitted | 20% or 5% for privacy, or matched to the front for a uniform look |
| Rear Windshield | Any percentage permitted when the vehicle has dual side mirrors | Whatever matches the back sides |
Not sure which VLT clears inspection on your vehicle? We check it with a meter before you leave. Ask us about your build | ||
Red, amber, and blue films are prohibited on the windshield and front side windows regardless of percentage. Reflectivity is capped at 25% on both front and back side windows.
Factory glass is rarely 100% VLT to begin with. Most vehicles leave the plant around 70 to 80%, and film percentage multiplies with it rather than replacing it.
Many SUVs and trucks ship with factory privacy glass in back, already around 20% VLT. Adding film there stacks on top of it and goes darker still.
Medical exemptions for photosensitive conditions are available in Texas with a signed statement from a licensed physician or optometrist.
This summary is provided for general guidance and reflects our understanding of Texas tint regulations at the time of writing. Percentages, statutes, and enforcement vary by state and by jurisdiction. Confirm current requirements with the Texas Department of Public Safety or a qualified attorney before making a decision based on this page.
Avoid These Pitfalls
What the Percentage Does Not Tell You
VLT is one spec on the box, and it is the one people over-weight. These are the four things the percentage leaves out.
Darker Does Not Mean Cooler
VLT measures visible light. Heat is infrared, a separate part of the spectrum with its own spec called IR rejection. A 35% ceramic film rejects more heat than a 5% dyed film. If a cooler cabin is the goal, ask for the IR number, not a lower VLT.
Film Percentage Stacks With Factory Glass
Your glass already blocks light before any film goes on. A 35% film over factory glass that is already 75% VLT gives you roughly 26% net, not 35%. This is why two cars with the same film can meter differently, and why we measure the finished window rather than trusting the box.
The Same Percentage Looks Different by Film Type
A 20% dyed film and a 20% ceramic film transmit the same amount of light but look nothing alike. Ceramic stays neutral and clear, dyed film reads flat and hazy, and metallized film has a visible sheen. Percentage says nothing about clarity.
Night Visibility Falls Off Faster Than People Expect
The jump from 35% to 20% is noticeable after dark. The jump from 20% to 5% is severe, especially reversing out of an unlit spot. This is the practical reason we steer people away from limo tint on any window they need to see through.
Got Questions?
Common Questions About Tint Percentages
Next Steps
Once you have landed on a percentage, here is where to go from there.
Get Started
Still Not Sure Which
Percentage?
Bring the vehicle by our Irving shop. We will meter your factory glass, show you film samples on your own windows in daylight, and tell you exactly what each percentage will read once it is installed.