How much does car window tinting cost?

During summer when the temperature creeps up, quality window tinting can keep your car’s interior cooler. It blocks heat and the sun’s harmful UV rays, which can damage materials inside your car (and your skin). 

If you’re interested in window tinting, you’ll find a wide range of options and prices. This guide will help you sort through the most popular window tinting costs, the benefits of window tinting, and how to find the best installation professional.

Window tinting serves several purposes. Here are the key reasons you may want it: 

Heat rejection. When the sun beats through your vehicle’s windows, its infrared rays can make you feel hot, even with the air conditioning on full blast. Window tinting filters out these rays to keep you cool, and your air conditioning working more efficiently. 

UV protection. Much like sunglasses, window-tinting film provides UV protection for interior materials—such as sensitive upholstery, plastic, leather, and vinyl—that can be degraded by ultraviolet light. It can also help protect your skin against harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Privacy. Car window tint keeps prying eyes from seeing who’s inside your vehicle. This is great for professional transportation services, but it’s also nice for folks who just want extra privacy behind the wheel. 

Theft reduction. If you have a pricey audio system, or stash designer sunglasses in your glove compartment, dark window tint may prevent potential thieves from scoping them out and breaking into your car to steal them.

Nationwide, the average price of window tinting services is $195. This will generally include removing any old tint, preparing the windows for new tint, and applying the new tint. 

Actual prices can vary; the average cost range of window tinting services is $85–335, including parts and labor. Window tinting shops generally include labor in the total price. 

In most cases, expect to pay about $50 per window for basic tint with labor, but pros often offer a discounted package for doing the entire car. This would be a standard dyed tint, which often fades and bubbles over time. 

If you upgrade the window film to high-quality ceramic window tint or carbon window tint, you’ll get a longer-lasting automotive tint job. However, you’ll also pay about $100 per window with labor for the added durability. 

A variety of elements have an impact on auto window-tinting prices, including:

Here are the most common ways to reduce car window tinting costs.

Can I save money with DIY window-tint kits? ​

DIY home window tinting kits are generally less expensive than having a professional do the job. However, car window tinting is a complex skill and very easy to get wrong. Once you mess up a piece of tint, you often have to throw out the entire piece and restart, which means buying another roll. Gauge your abilities carefully before tackling auto window tinting on your own. 

What is the darkest legal tint?

Window tint is measured in visible light transmission (VLT) percentages, ranging from 5% to 90%. The lower the percentage, the darker the tint. Different states have their own tint laws—for example, in California, the front windshield and side windows can be no darker than 70% VLT.  You can search for local laws online, or contact your municipal police department.

Are tinted windows worth it?

If you live in an area with intense sun for much of the year, such as Florida or Texas, tinted windows can provide important protection. Without it, your car’s interior will fade and crack more quickly.

Find professional window tinting installation in your area.