The UV Index scale is a planning tool, not a personal medical-risk score.
Clouds, altitude, reflection, water, snow, sand, and medication can make real exposure feel different from the displayed band.
No UV band makes tanning medically safe; use the scale to reduce guessing and plan protection.
UV bands explained
UV Index Scale
The UV Index scale groups UV 0-2 as low, 3-5 as moderate, 6-7 as high, 8-10 as very high, and 11+ as extreme. TanPilot uses those bands to turn a UV number into SPF, shade, timing, and stop cues instead of treating the number as a safe-or-not-safe switch.
0-2 Low: Usually lower risk, but not a promise for every skin or condition.
3+ Protection starts: WHO-style guidance recommends sun protection once UV reaches 3.
6+ High and above: Burn-risk timing shortens and shade, SPF, and clothing matter more.
Before you start a session
What can change the tan window, SPF timing, or stop cue.
The UV Index scale by band
The EPA UV Index scale gives each number a fixed risk band: 0-2 low, 3-5 moderate, 6-7 high, 8-10 very high, and 11 or higher extreme. TanPilot keeps the same public-health bands, then adds tanning-window, SPF, and burn-risk context.
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UV 0-2: low
Lower risk for many people, but reflection, altitude, very sensitive skin, and long outdoor time still matter.
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UV 3-5: moderate
This is where protection clearly starts to matter. Short monitored sun windows are easier to manage here than in high UV, but not risk-free.
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UV 6-7: high
The time before redness risk gets shorter. TanPilot should favor avoiding the peak, adding shade breaks, and setting earlier reminders.
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UV 8+: very high to extreme
The useful action shifts toward cover-up, shade, sunglasses, reapplied SPF, and moving any optional sun time to a lower-UV window.
How TanPilot turns the scale into action
A UV number is only useful when it changes the plan. TanPilot combines the band with the hourly curve, Fitzpatrick skin type, SPF, water or sweat, and data freshness. That keeps the output as a planning cue, not a promise that a given UV level is safe.
UV bands TanPilot uses
These bands anchor the advice language across timing, SPF, and burn-risk pages.
0-2
Low
3-5
Moderate
6-7
High
8-10
Very high
11+
Extreme
- 0-2 Low
- Usually lower risk for the average adult, with extra care still useful around reflection, altitude, or very sun-sensitive skin.
- 3-5 Moderate
- Protection starts to matter. WHO recommends sun protection when the UV Index is 3 or higher.
- 6-7 High
- Plan shorter exposure windows, avoid the daily peak, and use shade, clothing, sunglasses, and broad-spectrum sunscreen.
- 8-10 Very high
- Burn risk can rise quickly, especially near midday. Treat tanning time as a short, monitored exposure.
- 11+ Extreme
- Extra protection is needed. TanPilot should nudge toward shade-first planning rather than longer exposure.
Questions
Short answers for the exact search intent, with the cautions that keep the plan usable.
What is the UV Index scale?
It is a public scale for expected erythemal UV strength: 0-2 low, 3-5 moderate, 6-7 high, 8-10 very high, and 11+ extreme.
At what UV Index do I need sunscreen?
Public-health guidance recommends protection from UV 3 upward. Use sunscreen with shade, clothing, hats, sunglasses, and shorter windows rather than relying on SPF alone.
Is UV 5 high on the scale?
UV 5 is still moderate, but it is the top of the moderate band. It can still burn, especially for sensitive skin or near the daily peak.
Related TanPilot pages
Move from the UV number to tan timing, burn risk, skin type, and app setup.