How to Read the UV Index
What Action to Take at Each Level
Understanding UV numbers is only useful if you know what to do with them. At UV 0-2: no special action needed for most people — enjoy outdoor activities freely. At UV 3-5: apply SPF 30+ if you will be outside for more than 30 minutes, seek shade during peak hours. At UV 6-7: this is where most sun damage occurs — SPF 30+ minimum, hat, sunglasses, and limited midday exposure. At UV 8+: this requires active protection — SunUp will automatically recommend SPF 50+, full-coverage clothing, and will calculate your specific safe time based on your skin type. At UV 11+: SunUp will issue an extreme UV alert and recommend you minimize midday outdoor activities entirely.
Try it in the app:
Tap your current UV reading in SunUp to see the detailed recommendation and your personalized safe exposure time.
Pro tip:
SunUp personalizes these recommendations to your skin type. A Type VI person has significantly more natural UV protection than Type I — your recommendations will be different from your friends.
Ready to put this into practice?
Open SunUp and try how to read the uv index using what you just learned.