What is the UV index in 420+ cities worldwide right now?

See the live UV index for 420+ cities worldwide above — it updates every 15 minutes from Open-Meteo data. The UV index runs from 0 (low) to 11+ (extreme); protection is advised once it reaches 3 or higher.

What time is UV highest in 420+ cities worldwide?

UV in 420+ cities worldwide usually peaks between noon and 3 PM local time, when the sun is highest. Check the hour-by-hour chart above for today's exact peak time.

What SPF do I need in 420+ cities worldwide today?

At UV 3–5 use SPF 30; at UV 6–7 use SPF 50; at UV 8 or above use SPF 50+ and reapply every 2 hours. The tool shows the exact SPF for the current UV level.

How long can I stay in the sun before burning?

It depends on your skin type and the UV level. At UV 8 (very high), fair skin can burn in 15–25 minutes. Use the sunburn-time calculator above for a personalised estimate.

Does UV protective clothing actually work?

Yes. A UPF 50 garment blocks 98% of UV radiation — more reliably than most sunscreens. It's the most dependable protection for long periods outdoors.

What is the UV Index Today? Check Current UV Levels

The UV index is a 0–11+ scale measuring how strong the sun's ultraviolet radiation is at your location right now. Developed by the World Health Organization, the scale runs: 0–2 low, 3–5 moderate, 6–7 high, 8–10 very high, 11+ extreme. Check the current UV index for any city above — updated every 15 minutes.

Real-time UV data for 420+ cities worldwide. Get the current UV level, hourly UV forecast for today, and a 7-day outlook. Plus a sunburn calculator by Fitzpatrick skin type and personalized SPF recommendations. Free, no signup, powered by Open-Meteo.

What Is the UV Index?

The UV index is an international standard measurement of ultraviolet radiation intensity at the Earth's surface. Developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Meteorological Organization, the UV index scale ranges from 0 (no UV exposure risk) to 11+ (extreme risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure). Understanding the current UV index helps you make informed decisions about sun exposure, sunscreen application, and when to wear protective clothing.

How Is the UV Index Calculated?

The UV index is calculated using several factors including solar zenith angle, ozone layer thickness, cloud cover, altitude above sea level, and ground surface reflection. UV radiation is strongest between 10am and 4pm, increases at higher elevations, and is more intense closer to the equator. Even on overcast days, up to 80% of UV rays penetrate through clouds, and reflective surfaces like water, sand, snow, and concrete can increase UV exposure significantly.

Why Check the UV Index Today?

Checking the UV index before going outdoors helps prevent sunburn, premature skin aging, and reduces the long-term risk of skin cancer. The World Health Organization recommends sun protection whenever the UV index reaches 3 or higher. Our real-time UV checker updates every 15 minutes so you always have the latest data for your location.

UV Index Scale

UV Index	Level	Protection	Recommendation
0–2	Low	Optional	No protection needed for most skin types.
3–5	Moderate	SPF 30+	Wear sunscreen. Seek shade during midday hours.
6–7	High	SPF 50+	Reduce sun exposure 10am–4pm. Hat and UV clothing recommended.
8–10	Very High	SPF 50+	Minimize outdoor time. Full protection essential.
11+	Extreme	SPF 50++	Avoid sun exposure if possible.

Sunburn Calculator by Skin Type

Different skin types burn at dramatically different rates under the same UV conditions. Our interactive sunburn calculator uses the Fitzpatrick skin type classification system to estimate safe sun exposure time without protection.

How Fast Does Each Skin Type Burn?

At UV index 8 (Very High): Type I (very fair skin) can burn in approximately 12 minutes without protection. Type II (fair) in about 19 minutes. Type III (medium) in 25 minutes. Type IV (olive) in 35 minutes. Type V (brown) in 50 minutes. Type VI (dark) in about 75 minutes. Applying SPF 30 sunscreen extends safe time by roughly 30 times, and SPF 50 by roughly 50 times in theory — in practice, reapply every 2 hours regardless of SPF level. The UV index is also known as the ultraviolet rating — same scale, same number.

⚠️ Disclaimer: These are rough estimates for general guidance only and should not be considered medical advice. Actual burn times vary significantly based on altitude, surface reflection, medication, and individual sensitivity. Consult a dermatologist for personalized advice.

Sun Session: free reapply reminders

Pick your skin type, tell us what SPF you’re wearing, and start a Sun Session — we calculate your real protection window from the live UV and send a push notification the moment it’s time to reapply. Free, no account, works on any phone. Available on every city page.

Best Sunscreen and UV Protection Products

Picked for high-UV days across face, body, kids, clothing and after-sun — the same selection our live tool recommends per UV level:

As an Amazon Associate, uvindex.now earns from qualifying purchases.

How to Choose the Right SPF

For UV index 1–2, sunscreen is optional. At UV 3–5, dermatologists recommend at least SPF 30. For UV 6–7, step up to SPF 50. At UV 8 and above, use SPF 50+ and reapply every 2 hours — sooner after swimming or sweating. Always choose broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB radiation.

UV Index Today by City

New York Los Angeles Chicago Houston Phoenix Philadelphia San Antonio San Diego Dallas Austin Miami Orlando Tampa Jacksonville Fort Lauderdale Las Vegas Honolulu Atlanta Nashville Denver Seattle Boston San Francisco Charlotte Raleigh Indianapolis Columbus Portland Memphis Louisville Baltimore Milwaukee Albuquerque Tucson Sacramento Kansas City Mesa Virginia Beach Colorado Springs Omaha Minneapolis New Orleans Cleveland Detroit Salt Lake City Pittsburgh St. Louis Washington D.C. Myrtle Beach Key West Maui San Juan Hilton Head Destin Scottsdale Palm Springs Savannah Charleston London Paris Barcelona Rome Amsterdam Berlin Lisbon Athens Madrid Dublin Dubai Singapore Tokyo Bangkok Bali Hong Kong Mumbai Tel Aviv Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Perth Gold Coast Auckland Toronto Vancouver Montreal Cancún Rio de Janeiro Mexico City Buenos Aires Lima Cape Town Cairo Marrakech Nairobi

Also available in other languages: Índice UV — España y América Latina · Indice UV — France · UV-Index — Deutschland

UV Guides

Tomorrow's UV Index UV Index Explained UV Burn Time Best Time to Be in the Sun Sunscreen by UV Level All guides →

Free UV Teaching Resources

For schools, camps and youth programs: a live classroom UV display for the smartboard, a printable UV index poster, and sun-safety activities by age group — the modern replacement for EPA's retired SunWise program. Free, no signup, no ads.

UV Index FAQ

How strong are UV rays right now?

UV rays and the UV index measure the same thing: the index is the 1–11+ scale for how strong the sun's UV radiation is at ground level right now. Check the live number for your city at the top of this page — UV rays above 3 call for sunscreen, above 8 they burn fair skin in under 20 minutes. For tomorrow's UV rays, see the hourly forecast on any city page.

What does UV index mean?

The UV index measures ultraviolet radiation on a 0–11+ scale developed by the WHO.

Is UV index 3 safe?

Moderate risk. Wear SPF 30+. Seek shade during midday.

Is UV index 4 safe?

Moderate. Apply sunscreen, wear sunglasses. Fair skin burns in ~30 minutes.

What SPF for UV index 11?

SPF 50+ plus UV clothing, hat, and sunglasses. Avoid midday sun.

How long can I stay in the sun?

UV 1–2: 60+ min. UV 3–5: 20–30 min. UV 6–7: 15–20 min. UV 8–10: under 10 min. UV 11+: minutes.

Disclaimer: The information on uvindex.now is for general informational and educational purposes only. UV index data, sunburn time estimates, and sun protection recommendations are approximate and should not be considered medical advice. Individual results vary based on skin type, medications, altitude, surface reflection, and other factors. Always consult a dermatologist or healthcare professional for personalized advice. This site is not responsible for any harm resulting from use of the information provided.