UV index 2: how long until skin burns?
UV index 2 falls in WHO's Low category. Without protection, very fair skin (type I) can start to redden in about 50 minutes, and olive skin (type IV) in more than 2 hours. These are rough estimates, not safe times.
Low · 1–2 Low risk for most people; take care on snow, water or mountains.
A warning, not a safe time. Redness shows up hours later.
Minutes to first redness by skin type
| Type IAlways burns, never tans; very pale skin, often freckles or red hair | about 50 minutes |
|---|---|
| Type IIUsually burns, tans with difficulty; fair skin, often light eyes | about 65 minutes |
| Type IIISometimes burns, tans gradually; light to light olive skin | about 100 minutes |
| Type IVRarely burns, tans easily; olive or light brown skin | more than 2 hours |
| Type VVery rarely burns, tans darkly; naturally brown skin | more than 2 hours |
| Type VIAlmost never burns; naturally dark brown to black skin | more than 2 hours |
What WHO advises at this level
WHO says the risk of UV damage at this level is limited, even for very fair skin, and under normal conditions you need no special protection. Watch for exceptions: fresh snow, water and high altitude add a lot of UV, and some medicines make skin far more sensitive. In those situations, cover up and wear sunglasses.
When and where you see this level
UV 2 is a typical winter midday value around the Mediterranean and a typical March or October value in northern Europe. In summer it appears in the early morning and late afternoon, when the sun is low in the sky.
What this means if you want a tan
WHO considers the risk at UV 2 limited, and tanning is slow. There is no health reason to chase a tan: colour is your skin defending itself against damage that has already happened. Long hours outside still add to your lifetime UV dose.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to burn at UV 2?
Rough estimates for unprotected skin at UV 2: type I: about 50 minutes; type II: about 65 minutes; type III: about 100 minutes; type IV: more than 2 hours. Redness usually appears hours later, and some people burn sooner. These are not safe times.
Is UV 2 high?
Low (1–2). WHO says the risk of UV damage at this level is limited, even for very fair skin, and under normal conditions you need no special protection. Watch for exceptions: fresh snow, water and high altitude add a lot of UV, and some medicines make skin far more sensitive. In those situations, cover up and wear sunglasses.
Can you tan at UV 2?
WHO considers the risk at UV 2 limited, and tanning is slow. There is no health reason to chase a tan: colour is your skin defending itself against damage that has already happened. Long hours outside still add to your lifetime UV dose.
Sources
- WHO, WMO, UNEP, ICNIRP (2002): Global Solar UV Index – A Practical Guide
- WHO (2022): Radiation – The ultraviolet (UV) index, questions and answers
- ICNIRP with ILO and WHO (2007): Protecting Workers from Ultraviolet Radiation (skin types and SED, Table 1)
- Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology: Fitzpatrick skin phototypes with typical minimal erythema dose (Table 1, after Fitzpatrick 1988 and Pathak 1987)
- CIE: Standard Erythema Dose, a Review (1 SED = 100 J/m²)