UV Safe TanWhat UV Index Is Best for Tanning? Why Higher Is Not Better
Short answer: you can tan at any UV index of 3 or above. A moderate index of 3 to 5 gives colour with the widest margin before you burn. At a very high index of 8 to 10, very fair skin can burn in under 20 minutes, which leaves almost no room for error. No level is risk free, so wear sunscreen and keep sessions short.
Session length by UV index
Staying below about 70 percent of your burn time is a sensible upper limit. With no sunscreen, that works out roughly as:
| Skin type | UV 3 | UV 6 | UV 9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type II | 39 min | 20 min | 13 min |
| Type III | 47 min | 23 min | 15 min |
| Type IV | 70 min | 35 min | 23 min |
Why a very high index backfires
- Your tan response has a ceiling. Extra UV past it adds redness, not colour.
- Minutes matter. At UV 10 a short nap can take you past your burn point.
- Peeling removes the tan you built.
Best time of day
UV peaks around solar noon. Late morning or mid to late afternoon usually sits in the moderate range on a summer day. Check the hourly curve for where you are, because the timing changes with season and latitude.
Plan it with the forecast
UV Safe Tan shows today's UV hour by hour and a 7-day outlook, so you can pick a moderate window before you head out. In Tan mode the timer uses the real forecast curve for your session, then alerts you before your burn point.
UV Safe Tan is coming soon
Live UV index for where you are, a burn timer set by your skin type and SPF, reapply reminders, a tan timer that stops before you burn, and Home Screen widgets. For iPhone and iPad.
Coming soon to theApp StoreMore guides
What the UV index means
The 0 to 11+ scale, level by level, and what to do at each number.
Read guideHow long until you burn
A burn time chart by skin type and UV index, plus how much SPF really buys you.
Read guideHow often to reapply sunscreen
The 2 hour rule, when to reapply sooner, and how much sunscreen is enough.
Read guide