Texas tint limits at a glance
| Front side windows | 25% |
|---|---|
| Back side windows | Any darkness |
| Rear window | Any darkness (mirrors on both sides) |
| Windshield | 25% strip above the AS-1 line or top 5 inches |
| Reflectivity | 25% max front |
| SUVs, vans and trucks | Multipurpose vehicles: exempt behind the driver |
Percentages are the minimum visible light transmission with the film installed, including the factory glass. A lower number means darker tint.
Is 5%, 20%, 35% or 50% tint legal in Texas?
This table shows whether a film with each rating is legal on a sedan in Texas. Factory glass blocks some light, so a film reads darker once it's installed.
| Film rating | Front side windows | Back side windows | Rear window |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5% | Not legal | Legal | Legal with mirrors on both sides |
| 15% | Not legal | Legal | Legal with mirrors on both sides |
| 20% | Not legal | Legal | Legal with mirrors on both sides |
| 35% | Legal | Legal | Legal with mirrors on both sides |
| 50% | Legal | Legal | Legal with mirrors on both sides |
| 70% | Legal | Legal | Legal with mirrors on both sides |
'Likely too dark once installed' means the film rating meets the limit, but on typical factory glass the combined reading usually falls under it. Meter the window to be sure.
Choosing a film that stays legal
Assume factory side glass passes about 80% of light.
- Front side windows: 35% film or lighter
- Back side windows: Any film
- Rear window: Any film
Factory privacy glass on many SUVs already reads well under 30%, so any film added over it will read darker still. Always meter after the install.
Fines and penalties
Installers who don't place the required label between the film and the glass face a misdemeanor fine up to $1,000.
Medical exemptions
A medical need for the driver or a passenger is a defense to a tint citation.
Meter tolerance
Texas allows a tolerance of 3% when officers meter a window. A tolerance covers meter error. It isn't extra room to go darker.
For Texas tint shops
Installers must place a compliance label between the film and the glass.
Driving in from another state
Vehicles not registered in Texas are exempt.
The law
Texas's tint rules are set by Tex. Transp. Code § 547.613. Read the source
This page is a reference for drivers and installers, not legal advice. Enforcement can vary by city and county.
Frequently asked questions
How dark can you legally tint your windows in Texas?
On a sedan, front side windows: 25%. Back side windows: Any darkness. Rear window: Any darkness (mirrors on both sides).
Is 20% tint legal in Texas?
Front: Not legal. Back: Legal. Rear: Legal with mirrors on both sides. See the 20% film row.
Is 35% tint legal in Texas?
Front: Legal. Back: Legal. Rear: Legal with mirrors on both sides. See the 35% film row.
Is tint allowed on the windshield in Texas?
25% strip above the AS-1 line or top 5 inches
Are the rules different for SUVs and trucks in Texas?
Multipurpose vehicles: exempt behind the driver
What is the fine for illegal tint in Texas?
Installers who don't place the required label between the film and the glass face a misdemeanor fine up to $1,000.
Can I get a medical exemption for window tint in Texas?
A medical need for the driver or a passenger is a defense to a tint citation.
Related
Back to the full chart: Window tint laws by state
Neighboring states:
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