UV index 7: how long until skin burns?
UV index 7 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 45 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 30 minutes |
| Type IVRarely burns, tans easily; olive or light brown skin | about 45 minutes |
| Type VVery rarely burns, tans darkly; naturally brown skin | about 55 minutes |
| Type VIAlmost never burns; naturally dark brown to black skin | about 95 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 7 is a common summer midday value in southern Germany, Austria, Switzerland and northern France, and on the sunniest days in southern England. Around the Mediterranean it is typical in May and early September, or in summer mid-morning.
What this means if you want a tan
UV 7 burns fair and light skin quickly. If your skin tans at this level, it is because it is being injured. Lying in the sun to tan mainly raises your risk; WHO advises midday shade, clothing, a hat and sunscreen instead.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to burn at UV 7?
Rough estimates for unprotected skin at UV 7: type I: about 15 minutes; type II: about 20 minutes; type III: about 30 minutes; type IV: about 45 minutes. Redness usually appears hours later, and some people burn sooner. These are not safe times.
Is UV 7 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 7?
UV 7 burns fair and light skin quickly. If your skin tans at this level, it is because it is being injured. Lying in the sun to tan mainly raises your risk; WHO advises midday shade, clothing, a hat and sunscreen instead.
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)