UV Index Today
Sun safety made simple

UV Index Today

Check the current UV index for your location or any city worldwide, see the hourly forecast, and know exactly when to protect your skin.

Popular US cities

New York New York Los Angeles California Chicago Illinois Houston Texas Philadelphia Pennsylvania Phoenix Arizona San Antonio Texas San Diego California Dallas Texas San Jose California Austin Texas Indianapolis Indiana

Popular cities worldwide

Shanghai China Beijing China Shenzhen China Guangzhou China Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo Istanbul Turkey Lagos Nigeria Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam Chengdu China Lahore Pakistan Mumbai India São Paulo Brazil

Browse the UV index for every country, US state, and city →

Understanding UV index levels

The UV index runs from 0 upward. The higher the number, the faster unprotected skin can be damaged. Here is what each band means.

0-2
Low
Minimal risk. Sunglasses on bright days are enough for most people.
3-5
Moderate
Wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. Seek shade around midday.
6-7
High
Protection needed. Cut midday sun and apply SPF 30+ every two hours.
8-10
Very High
Skin burns fast. Avoid the sun 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and cover up.
11+
Extreme
Take all precautions. Unprotected skin can burn in minutes.

Read the full UV index scale guide →

Why check the UV index?

Prevent sunburn

Most sunburn happens because the sun was stronger than it felt. The index tells you the real risk before you go out.

Time your day

See when UV peaks so you can plan runs, beach trips, and outdoor work for safer hours.

Protect long term

Most skin aging and skin cancer risk comes from UV exposure. Small daily habits add up over a lifetime.

UV guides

What is the UV index? UV index scale and chart Best time to avoid the sun Best UV index for tanning UV index and vitamin D Sunscreen and SPF guide

Frequently asked questions

What is the UV index today?

It is a 0 to 11+ measure of how strong the sun's ultraviolet radiation is at your location right now. It rises through the morning, peaks in the early afternoon, and falls toward evening. Enter your city above to see today's live reading.

What is a high UV index?

UV 6 to 7 is high, 8 to 10 is very high, and 11 or above is extreme. At these levels unprotected skin can burn quickly.

At what UV index do I need sunscreen?

Once the index reaches 3 or higher. Use broad-spectrum SPF 30+ on exposed skin and reapply every two hours.

Can I get sunburn on a cloudy day?

Yes. Up to 80% of UV passes through light cloud, so you can burn even when it does not feel hot.