UV index 6: how long until skin burns?
UV index 6 falls in WHO's High category. Without protection, very fair skin (type I) can start to redden in about 15 minutes, and olive skin (type IV) in about 50 minutes. These are rough estimates, not safe times.
High · 6–7 Cut midday sun; shade, clothing, hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
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 15 minutes |
|---|---|
| Type IIUsually burns, tans with difficulty; fair skin, often light eyes | about 20 minutes |
| Type IIISometimes burns, tans gradually; light to light olive skin | about 35 minutes |
| Type IVRarely burns, tans easily; olive or light brown skin | about 50 minutes |
| Type VVery rarely burns, tans darkly; naturally brown skin | about 65 minutes |
| Type VIAlmost never burns; naturally dark brown to black skin | about 110 minutes |
What WHO advises at this level
Protection is needed, and more of it than at moderate levels. Stay in the shade during the hours around midday, wear clothing that covers your arms and shoulders, a broad-brimmed hat and wrap-around sunglasses, and use broad-spectrum sunscreen on the skin you cannot cover. Unprotected fair skin can start to redden in about 15 to 20 minutes.
When and where you see this level
UV 6 is a typical clear summer midday value in England, Ireland, the Netherlands and northern Germany. Around the Mediterranean you see it in April and September, or on summer days a couple of hours from midday.
What this means if you want a tan
At UV 6 type II skin can start to redden in about 20 minutes, and type I sooner. Any tan built here comes with damage that adds up over the years, raising the risk of skin ageing and skin cancer. Above all, avoid burning.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to burn at UV 6?
Rough estimates for unprotected skin at UV 6: type I: about 15 minutes; type II: about 20 minutes; type III: about 35 minutes; type IV: about 50 minutes. Redness usually appears hours later, and some people burn sooner. These are not safe times.
Is UV 6 high?
High (6–7). Protection is needed, and more of it than at moderate levels. Stay in the shade during the hours around midday, wear clothing that covers your arms and shoulders, a broad-brimmed hat and wrap-around sunglasses, and use broad-spectrum sunscreen on the skin you cannot cover. Unprotected fair skin can start to redden in about 15 to 20 minutes.
Can you tan at UV 6?
At UV 6 type II skin can start to redden in about 20 minutes, and type I sooner. Any tan built here comes with damage that adds up over the years, raising the risk of skin ageing and skin cancer. Above all, avoid burning.
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)