U.S. · Vehicles · nine states read from the statute
Window tint laws by state, checked against your glass.
Film is sold by its own light-transmission rating, but the rules in these states measure the finished window: film plus the factory glass underneath. Enter both ratings and the tool returns the net reading, the state limit, and the lightest film rating that stays legal for the window you pick.
Coverage, up front: Texas, Florida, Arizona, Virginia, Washington, Minnesota, Massachusetts, New York and Michigan. Each was read from the state’s own statute or agency page on October 26, 2026. Statutes for the other states were not opened, so they are left out instead of guessed.
Your car and your film
Result
Worked example: the same film, two states
A sedan with factory front glass that passes 75% of light gets a 35% film on both front side windows. The net reading is 75 × 35 ÷ 100 = 26.25%.
- Texas: the front side windows must be 25% or more in combination with the glass, so 26.25% passes. With 78% glass the same film nets 27.3%, also fine. A 30% film on 75% glass nets 22.5% and fails.
- Florida: the front side windows need 28% or more. 26.25% is under that, inside the statute’s plus or minus 3 band, so the tool shows it as borderline, not legal. The lightest film that clears 28% on 75% glass is 28 ÷ 75 = 37.33%, so a 38% film (a 40% film nets 30%).
How it is calculated
Light passes through each layer in turn, so the transmissions multiply: net % = glass % × film % ÷ 100. The lightest legal film is the state minimum divided by the glass rating, rounded up to a whole percent. Reflectance cannot be derived from these two numbers, so the tool only compares a value you type in with the state cap. Where a statute states a tolerance (Florida plus or minus 3; Arizona and Minnesota plus or minus 3 inside the limits), a reading inside that band is labelled borderline. Virginia’s minus-seven-point officer tolerance is quoted, not applied. Real enforcement uses a state-approved meter on your actual window, which can read differently from this arithmetic.
Every state side by side (sedan or coupe)
Percentages are light transmission through film and glass together unless noted. Vehicle-class exceptions and mirror conditions are in the state notes below and are applied by the tool above.
| State | Windshield | Front sides | Rear sides | Rear window |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | top strip only, at least 25% | at least 25%, reflectance at most 25% | no darkness limit | no darkness limit |
| Florida | top strip only | at least 28% (±3), reflectance at most 25% | at least 15% (±3), reflectance at most 35% | at least 15% (±3), reflectance at most 35% |
| Arizona | top strip only | at least 33% (±3), reflectance at most 35% | no darkness limit, reflectance at most 35% | no darkness limit, reflectance at most 35% |
| Virginia | no film | at least 50%, reflectance at most 20% | at least 35%, reflectance at most 20% | at least 35%, reflectance at most 20% |
| Washington | top strip only | at least 24%, reflectance at most 35% | at least 24%, reflectance at most 35% | at least 24%, reflectance at most 35% |
| Minnesota | no film | at least 50% (±3), reflectance at most 20% | at least 50% (±3), reflectance at most 20% | at least 50% (±3), reflectance at most 20% |
| Massachusetts | top strip only | at least 35%, reflectance at most 35% | at least 35%, reflectance at most 35% | at least 35%, reflectance at most 35% |
| New York | at least 70% | at least 70% | at least 70% | at least 70% |
| Michigan | top strip only | no film | no darkness limit, reflectance under 35% | no darkness limit, reflectance under 35% |
What each state actually says
Texas
- Windshield: Film only above the AS-1 line (or no lower than five inches from the top if there is no AS-1 line), not red, amber or blue, 25% light transmission or more in combination with the glass, 25% reflectance or less. Clear UV film is allowed anywhere on the windshield.
- Front sides: Measured in combination with the original glass.
- Rear sides: DPS says these windows are completely exempted from regulation.
- Rear window: No restriction if outside mirrors on both sides show the road 200 feet behind; otherwise 25% and 25%.
- Medical: DPS lists a medical exception for front windows darker than 25%.
- Read from: DPS page dated September 4, 2020; read October 26, 2026.
Florida
- Windshield: Sunscreening only in a transparent strip at the top that stays out of the AS-1 area (s. 316.2952).
- Front sides: s. 316.2953: reflectance of visible light 25% or less, light transmittance 28% or more, tested on the vehicle's own glass.
- Rear sides: s. 316.2954: 15% for film; 6% for multipurpose passenger vehicles. Whether a pickup counts as one is a registration-class question; this tool applies 15% to pickups.
- Rear window: Same 15% / 6% rule as the rear side windows; a darkened rear window also requires side mirrors on both sides.
- Read from: 2025 Florida Statutes (edition on the Senate site); read October 26, 2026.
Arizona
- Windshield: Transparent material only at the top, with its bottom edge at least 29 inches above the undepressed driver's seat, and not red or amber.
- Front sides: The statute states 33% plus or minus 3% transmission and 35% plus or minus 3% reflectance.
- Rear sides: No transmission limit behind the driver; luminous reflectance 35% plus or minus 3% or less.
- Rear window: No transmission limit; reflectance 35% plus or minus 3% or less. The rear window is exempt from the section if outside mirrors on both sides show 200 feet to the rear.
- Medical: The Department may issue an exemption for side or rear windows on a physician's written attestation.
- Read from: A.R.S. 28-959.01 as posted on azleg.gov; read October 26, 2026.
Virginia
- Windshield: No film or darkening material except to replace the manufacturer's sunshield area at the top. Clear film is allowed if kept to the federal glazing standard.
- Front sides: Total light transmittance of 50% or more; reflectance 20% or less; no holographic or prism effect. Side mirrors on both sides are required.
- Rear sides: 35% for cars. Subsection H lets multipurpose passenger vehicles and pickup trucks go below 35% on the rear side windows and rear window.
- Rear window: Same as the rear side windows.
- Also: Officers' measurements are given a tolerance of minus seven percentage points, and no officer may stop a vehicle for a violation of this section.
- Read from: Code of Virginia 46.2-1052 as posted on law.lis.virginia.gov; read October 26, 2026.
Washington
- Windshield: A transparent strip along the top, not into the AS-1 portion and no more than six inches down. Clear film that blocks ultraviolet light is allowed on windshields.
- Front sides: Net film: 24% light transmission or more and 35% reflectance or less, with outside mirrors on both sides. One layer of film only; mirror finish and red, gold, yellow or black film are banned.
- Rear sides: Trucks, motor homes and multipurpose passenger vehicles may go below 24% on windows behind the driver if reflectance stays at 35% or less and both outside mirrors are fitted.
- Rear window: Same as the rear side windows.
- Medical: A greater reduction is allowed for a driver or passenger with a licensed physician's written verification.
- Read from: RCW 46.37.430 as posted on app.leg.wa.gov; read October 26, 2026.
Minnesota
- Windshield: No material that makes the windshield more reflective or reduces light transmittance through it.
- Front sides: 50% plus or minus 3% transmittance and 20% plus or minus 3% reflectance. Film applied after August 1, 1985 must carry a permanent marking of its transmittance and reflectance.
- Rear sides: Vans are exempt on side windows behind the driver's seat.
- Rear window: Pickup and van rear windows are exempt.
- Medical: A prescription or physician's statement naming the minimum transmittance, with an expiration date of no more than two years unless the condition is permanent.
- Read from: Minnesota Statutes 169.71 as posted on revisor.mn.gov; read October 26, 2026.
Massachusetts
- Windshield: Transparent material only in the top six inches, outside the driver's direct forward viewing area.
- Front sides: The statute lists reflectance of not more than 35% "or" transmittance of not less than 35%. Meeting both is the safe reading.
- Rear sides: Same limits as the front side windows.
- Rear window: Same limits, and the rear exemption needs two outside mirrors adjusted for a clear view behind.
- Medical: Physician attestation to the Registrar's medical advisory board; an exemption sticker is issued.
- Also: Vehicles registered in another state, territory or country are exempt from this section.
- Read from: M.G.L. c. 90 s. 9D as posted on malegislature.gov; read October 26, 2026.
New York
- Windshield: Less than 70% is prohibited unless limited to the uppermost six inches of the windshield.
- Front sides: Less than 70% transmittance is prohibited on the front side windows.
- Rear sides: The paragraph names station wagons, sedans, hardtops, coupes, hatchbacks and convertibles. It is not settled by that paragraph for SUVs, vans or pickups.
- Rear window: A rear window may go below 70% if side mirrors on both sides give a clear and full view of the road behind.
- Medical: The Commissioner may grant an exemption for the windshield and front side windows; a notice is affixed to the vehicle.
- Read from: Vehicle and Traffic Law 375(12-a) as posted on nysenate.gov; read October 26, 2026.
Michigan
- Windshield: Tinted film is allowed along the top edge if it does not extend more than 4 inches from the top of the windshield or lower than the shade band.
- Front sides: No sign, nontransparent material, window application, reflective film or nonreflective film on the front side windows or sidewings.
- Rear sides: Smoked or tinted glass and nonreflective film are allowed behind the driver; the limit is a total solar reflectance of less than 35%, so no silver or gold reflective film.
- Rear window: Same as the rear side windows. If vision through the rear window is obstructed, two outside rearview mirrors are required.
- Medical: A letter from a physician or optometrist stating the treatment is a medical necessity, carried in the vehicle.
- Also: Vehicles registered in another state, territory or country are exempt from this section.
- Read from: MCL 257.709 (complete through PA 114 of 2026); read October 26, 2026.
Where the states differ in ways that surprise people
Michigan is the outlier at both ends: nothing at all on the front side windows, but no darkness limit behind the driver as long as reflectance stays under 35%. Minnesota requires film applied after August 1, 1985 to carry a permanent marking of its transmittance and reflectance, so an unmarked film can be a problem on its own. Massachusetts joins its two limits with the word “or”, which is why this tool applies both. New York is the strictest here at 70% on the windshield, the front sides and, for cars, the rear sides. Virginia is the only state read here whose statute bars officers from stopping a vehicle for tint.
Sources, all opened on October 26, 2026
- Texas Department of Public Safety: Window Tinting Standards (page dated September 4, 2020, read October 26, 2026)
- Florida Statutes 316.2952 (windshields) (2025 edition)
- Florida Statutes 316.2953 (side windows) (2025 edition)
- Florida Statutes 316.2954 (windows behind the driver) (2025 edition)
- Florida Statutes 316.2955 (labeling and tolerances) (2025 edition)
- Arizona Revised Statutes 28-959.01
- Code of Virginia 46.2-1052
- Revised Code of Washington 46.37.430
- Minnesota Statutes 169.71
- Massachusetts General Laws c. 90, s. 9D
- New York Vehicle and Traffic Law 375 (subdivision 12-a)
- Michigan Compiled Laws 257.709 (complete through PA 114 of 2026)
As of October 26, 2026, this is what the sections say. Legislatures amend these sections; a bill passed after that date is not reflected. The Florida text is the 2025 edition posted on the Senate site.
Common mix-ups
-
Often assumedThe percentage printed on the film box is the number an officer's meter will read.
What the source saysTexas DPS measures sunscreening in combination with the original glass, so a 30% film over glass that passes 75% of light nets 22.5%, below Texas's 25% minimum for the front side windows. [1]
-
Often assumedThe front-window tint limit applies to every window on the car.
What the source saysTexas DPS says side windows to the rear of the driver are completely exempted from regulation, and the rear window has no restriction when both outside mirrors show the road 200 feet behind. [1]
-
Often assumedAny officer can pull you over just because your tint looks dark.
What the source saysVirginia's tint statute says no law-enforcement officer shall stop a motor vehicle for a violation of that section, and evidence obtained in such a stop is inadmissible. The violation itself is still a traffic infraction. [2]
-
Often assumedA car registered in another state has to meet the tint limits of whichever state it is driven in.
What the source saysMassachusetts's tint section does not apply to a vehicle registered in another state, territory or country. That exemption is Massachusetts's own wording, so check each state's statute for its own carve-outs. [3]
- Texas DPS: Window Tinting Standards
- Code of Virginia 46.2-1052: windows and windshields
- Massachusetts General Laws c. 90, s. 9D
Checked against these sources on .
Frequently asked questions
Why does 35% film read darker than 35% on the meter?
Film is rated by itself, but the officer’s meter reads the window as it sits on your car, film plus the factory glass. Glass that passes 75% of light under 35% film nets 26.25%. Texas DPS says sunscreening is measured “in combination with the original glass”, and Washington’s statute defines “net film screening” to include the manufacturer’s own layer.
Does any state in this tool allow a margin of error?
Florida states that every percentage measurement is subject to a tolerance of plus or minus 3 percent (s. 316.2955). Arizona and Minnesota write plus or minus 3 into the limits themselves. Virginia gives officers’ measurements a tolerance of minus seven percentage points. The tool flags a result inside a stated band as borderline and does not treat it as legal.
Can police stop me for tint in Virginia?
Virginia’s statute says no law-enforcement officer shall stop a motor vehicle for a violation of the tint section, and that evidence found in a stop made for that reason is not admissible. A violation is still a traffic infraction, and installers can be charged with a misdemeanor. Other states in this tool contain no such bar in the text that was read.
Which states let me go darker behind the driver?
Texas exempts the rear side windows completely and exempts the rear window if both outside mirrors show 200 feet to the rear. Arizona and Michigan set no darkness limit behind the driver and cap reflectance only. Virginia, Washington and Minnesota relax the rule for particular vehicle classes such as pickups and vans.
My state is not in the tool. What now?
Read your state’s vehicle code section on windshields and windows on the legislature’s own site. California, Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania and North Carolina were attempted but their official statute pages did not return text to us, so they are left out rather than filled from memory.
Do medical exemptions exist?
In the states where the text was read, yes: Texas, Arizona, Washington, Minnesota, Massachusetts, New York and Michigan describe one, each with its own paperwork. Florida and Virginia exemption provisions were not read for this page, so none is stated for them.
Information, not legal advice
This tool reports what nine statutes say and does arithmetic on numbers you type. It is not a substitute for the statute, a tint shop’s meter reading or a lawyer. Nothing you enter leaves your browser.