Window tint percentage affects appearance, privacy, heat rejection, and legal compliance. Here is how to pick the right shade for every window on your vehicle in Washington state.
One of the most common questions we get at Compass Window Tinting is: "What percentage tint should I get?" It seems like a simple question, but there are several factors to work through — Washington state law, your factory glass darkness, your personal privacy preference, night driving visibility, and how much heat rejection you want.
This guide walks through all of it clearly and practically. By the end, you will know exactly what percentage makes sense for each window on your vehicle — and why.
Window tint percentage refers to Visible Light Transmission, or VLT. It is the percentage of visible light that passes through the tinted glass. A lower number means a darker tint:
These are the six shades we offer at Compass Window Tinting across all three of our film types: Carbon Film, Ceramic Film, and Nano Ceramic+IR.
Before choosing a shade, you need to understand what is legal in Washington. The key law is that front side windows must have a combined VLT of at least 24%. This is measured as the combined VLT of your factory glass plus the applied tint film.
Here is why the combined measurement matters: most vehicles come with factory glass that is already tinted to some degree, typically 70–80% VLT. If your factory glass is at 70% VLT and you apply a 35% film, the combined VLT is approximately 70% × 35% = 24.5% — just above the legal minimum.
This is why we always measure your factory glass VLT before installation. Going by film percentage alone can result in an illegal tint even if you thought you were staying legal.
Washington state tint rules by window:
For the complete legal breakdown, see our Washington state window tint laws guide.
These windows have the strictest legal limits in Washington (24% combined VLT minimum). They also matter most for driver visibility — especially at night. Our most popular choices for front side windows in the Seattle and Everett area:
No legal minimum on these windows for most vehicles. You have full flexibility, which opens up the darker shades:
Many of our customers in Seattle, Everett, and the wider Western Washington area choose 35% on the fronts (where it meets legal requirements) and 15% or 20% on the rears for a gradient effect — darker in the back for maximum privacy, slightly lighter in front for legal compliance and night visibility.
Dark tint on the windshield is not legal below the AS-1 line in Washington. However, clear UV and IR-blocking film is fully legal on the entire windshield and is highly recommended — especially with Nano Ceramic+IR, where you get up to 90% IR heat rejection on the full windshield without any visible darkening.
A 6-inch visor strip of tinted film at the top of the windshield is legal and popular. We offer this for $50 in any film type.
Partially — but film technology matters more than darkness. Here is the important distinction:
A 50% Nano Ceramic+IR film will reject dramatically more heat than a 5% dyed film, even though the dyed film is far darker. This is because heat rejection in quality films comes from the film's ability to block infrared radiation, not just from blocking visible light.
Within the same film type (for example, comparing two Nano Ceramic+IR films), darker shades do reject more heat because they block more of the solar spectrum overall. But choosing the right film technology is more important than going dark for heat rejection purposes.
This is why we offer Nano Ceramic+IR in a 70% VLT shade — it provides excellent UV and IR protection with virtually no visible darkening. Perfect for windshields and front windows where darkness is restricted but performance is still desired.
Go as dark as legal on every window: 35% on fronts (verify combined VLT with measurements), 5% on rear side windows and rear window. This gives you the strongest privacy combination while staying legal throughout Washington state.
Choose Nano Ceramic+IR film at the darkest shade that works for each window. On front windows, 35% Nano Ceramic+IR will be at or near the legal limit for most factory glass while delivering maximum combined performance. On rear windows, 15–20% Nano Ceramic+IR gives maximum IR blocking.
Choose 50% or 70% VLT in Ceramic Film or Nano Ceramic+IR. The windows will look close to unmodified from outside the vehicle while still providing meaningful UV and IR protection. Great for drivers who want performance without an obvious "tinted" look.
Our most common recommendation for Seattle and Everett drivers: 35% Ceramic Film or Nano Ceramic+IR on all windows. Provides a clean, consistent look, solid privacy and heat rejection, and stays legal on front windows for most vehicles (we verify before installation).
The tint percentage (shade) does not affect the price — the film type determines cost, not the darkness. Our current pricing:
All sedan/SUV prices are for sides and back windows. Windshield not included. Exceptions may apply.
For the full pricing breakdown and windshield options, see our window tinting cost guide. To understand the film technology differences, read our guide to window tint film types.
At Compass Window Tinting, we do not just install whatever shade you request and hope it is legal. We measure your factory glass VLT before every installation and advise you on exactly what film darkness you can apply to each window while staying compliant with Washington state law.
If your factory glass is darker than typical — which varies by manufacturer and model — you may need a lighter film than you expected to stay legal. We tell you this upfront, not after the fact.
Visit us at 14531 51st Ave SE, Everett, WA 98208. We serve drivers throughout Seattle, Everett, and all of Western Washington. Call (425) 988-9877 to discuss your vehicle or get a free quote online.
Washington state requires a minimum of 24% combined VLT on front side windows. Rear side windows and the rear window can be any darkness on most vehicles. However, you must account for your factory glass VLT — if your factory glass is at 70% VLT, applying 35% film results in a combined VLT of about 24.5%, which is legal. We always measure factory glass before installation to guarantee compliance.
35% tint allows 35% of visible light to pass through and 65% to be blocked. It provides a noticeably dark appearance from outside the vehicle, good privacy, and meaningful heat rejection. From inside, visibility is comfortable during the day and acceptable at night. It is one of the most popular tint percentages for front windows in Washington.
We offer tint in 5%, 15%, 20%, 35%, 50%, and 70% VLT shades across all three of our film types: Carbon Film, Ceramic Film, and Nano Ceramic+IR. We help you choose the right shade based on Washington's legal requirements and your personal preferences.
5% tint is legal on rear side windows and the rear window of most passenger vehicles in Washington state. It is not legal on front side windows (which require a minimum of 24% combined VLT). If you want 5% on the back while keeping the front legal, we can apply different shades to different windows.
Partially, yes — but film technology matters more than darkness. A high-quality Nano Ceramic+IR film at 50% VLT will reject significantly more heat than a cheap dyed film at 5% VLT. Choosing the right film type is more important than going as dark as possible. Within the same film type, darker shades do reject marginally more heat.