TanPilot App Store

Current UV utility

UV Index Today

The UV Index today is the number to check before tanning because it estimates sunburn-producing UV intensity for your place and time. When UV is 3 or higher, use sun protection and plan around the hourly peak.

Check location UV Plan a tanning window

Today’s UV planner

Use location to replace the sample forecast with current UV, peak time, and a first burn-risk cue.

Sample

High UV window

Avoid the peak if tanning. Use shade, broad-spectrum SPF, clothing, and a timer.

Sample forecast No provider key in browser Estimates, not medical advice
8a
10a
12p
2p
4p
6p
UV 3+ Protection threshold: WHO recommends sun protection from this band.
Midday Peak planning: Higher sun elevation usually means higher UV.
Freshness Launch focus: Show source and last-updated state before any estimate.

UV bands for today

Start with the band, then layer in time of day, skin response, SPF, and whether the forecast looks fresh.

UV Index Band TanPilot planning guidance
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.

How to read today’s UV number

EPA groups UV 0-2 as low, 3-7 as moderate to high, and 8+ as very high to extreme. TanPilot turns that band into timing, SPF, and skin-type context instead of leaving you with a bare number.

  • Look at the hourly curve

    The daily maximum matters, but tanning decisions are made by the hour. Morning and late afternoon often have lower UV than the middle of the day.

  • Treat clouds as a caveat, not a shield

    WHO notes that UV can remain high under cloud cover. A forecast should show both UV and conditions so you do not infer protection from shade-like weather.

  • Use skin type as an input

    Fitzpatrick type helps estimate burn tendency, but it is not a medical diagnosis and does not remove the need for protection.

What TanPilot adds beyond a weather card

TanPilot is built for the chain from current UV to timing, burn-risk estimates, sunscreen reminders, and routines. The web page stays useful on its own, then hands off to the app when alerts and saved routines are ready.

Questions

Short answers for the exact search intent, without hiding the safety caveats.

What UV Index is good for tanning?

There is no UV level that makes tanning risk-free. Lower to moderate UV can make exposure easier to manage, while high and very high UV shorten the time before redness can start.

Does UV Index change during the day?

Yes. UV usually rises as the sun gets higher and drops later in the day, with local ozone, clouds, altitude, and reflection changing the forecast.

Can I rely on cloud cover instead of sunscreen?

No. Cloud cover can reduce UV, but WHO notes UV can still be high with clouds. Check UV directly and use protection when the band calls for it.

Related TanPilot pages

Move from the UV number to timing, burn-risk, skin type, and app setup.

Best time to tan

Continue the UV and tanning planning path with this TanPilot guide.

UV burn-time estimator

Continue the UV and tanning planning path with this TanPilot guide.

UV Index app

Continue the UV and tanning planning path with this TanPilot guide.