How to Choose the Right Window Tint Shade (VLT) for Your Car
Tint percentage — the VLT number you hear thrown around — is the single most confusing part of getting your windows tinted. Here’s how to actually pick a shade that fits how you use your car, without guessing.
Start With What’s Legal in California
Before style preference even comes into play, California Vehicle Code 26708 sets the floor: front side windows must let at least 70% of light through (70% VLT). The windshield only allows a non-reflective strip along the top four inches. Rear side windows and the back windshield can legally go much darker. Full details, including the medical exemption under Assembly Bill 1303, are on our California tint law page.
Common Shade Options and What They’re Actually For
- 70% VLT (front windows): The legal max darkness for front doors — still noticeably reduces glare and heat while staying compliant.
- 35% VLT: A popular mid-range choice for rear windows and back windshields — visibly darker, still allows clear visibility at night.
- 20% VLT: A common choice among daily commuters who want stronger heat and privacy without going to limo-dark.
- 5% VLT (“limo tint”): The darkest common option, legal only on rear windows and the back windshield in California, popular with classic car and low rider owners going for a specific look.
Match the Shade to How You Actually Drive
If you’re commuting daily on the 210 or I-15 with kids in the back seat, heat rejection matters more than darkness — which is why the film type (ceramic vs. dyed vs. carbon) often matters more than the percentage. If privacy is your main concern for a home in Sierra Lakes or Southridge Village, a darker rear shade paired with a lighter, legal front shade is the common approach. If you’re building a classic for the Fontana Car Show Series, the look you’re going for will usually drive the shade choice more than anything else.
Our Recommendation
We’ll walk you through legal shade options for your specific vehicle and talk through how you actually use it before recommending anything — not just upsell the darkest option available. See our full film comparison on the window tint films page or explore auto window tinting options.