Which window tint shade should I choose?
Choose by how much privacy you want. 5% limo black gives near-total privacy and is the most popular for rear glass. 20% is dark but you can still see out clearly at night. 35% is a noticeable, moderate tint. 50% and 70% are subtle. All are road legal on rear windows, and at Autotint you compare real samples at the studio before anything is fitted.
Last reviewed by Autotint Nottingham
What the percentages mean
The number is VLT — how much visible light passes through. Lower means darker. A 5% film lets 5% of light through; a 70% film lets 70% through. It is counter-intuitive at first: the small number is the dark one.
The figure describes the film, and the finished look also depends on your glass. Many cars already have lightly tinted privacy glass in the rear, which makes any film look darker than the same film on clear glass.
The shades we stock
All five are road legal on rear side windows and the rear windscreen.
- 5% limo black — near-total privacy, the most popular choice for rear glass
- 20% dark — strong privacy in daylight, still easy to see out of at night
- 35% medium — clearly tinted without being dramatic
- 50% light — subtle, mostly for heat and glare rather than privacy
- 70% ultra light — barely visible, chosen for heat rejection alone
Privacy, heat and night vision
Heat rejection comes mainly from the film's construction rather than its darkness. Our carbon and ceramic films reject significant heat even in lighter shades, so you do not have to go dark to get a cooler cabin.
Darkness is really about privacy and glare. The practical trade-off is night visibility through the rear screen: 5% is noticeably darker when reversing in an unlit street. If you rely heavily on the rear-view mirror at night rather than a reversing camera, 20% is the sensible compromise.
You do not have to decide now
Choosing a shade from a photo on a screen is guesswork — screen brightness alone changes how it looks. So we do not ask you to pick when you book.
When you arrive we hold real samples of every film against your own glass so you can see exactly how each one looks on your car, in daylight, before anything is fitted. The shade never affects the price.
Common questions
What is the most popular window tint shade?
5% limo black is the most popular for rear glass, because it gives near-total privacy and is fully road legal behind the B-pillar. 20% is the usual choice for anyone who wants privacy but prefers a clearer view at night.
Is 5% or 20% tint darker?
5% is darker. The percentage is how much light passes through, so a lower number means a darker film. 5% lets only 5% of light through; 20% lets 20% through.
Does a darker tint block more heat?
Not necessarily. Heat rejection comes mostly from the film's construction rather than its darkness, so a quality carbon or ceramic film in a light shade can reject more heat than cheap dark dyed film.
Do I have to choose my shade when booking?
No. You choose at the studio by comparing real samples against your own glass, and the shade never changes the price.
Book your tint in Nottingham
Full rear tints from £95, fitted while you wait with a lifetime warranty. Instant quote, no deposit to book.
Get an instant quote