It's about the UV index, not the clock
UV is what actually tans (and burns) your skin, and it rises and falls through the day, peaking around midday. A good tan window is when UV is meaningful but manageable for your skin type — often mid-morning or mid-to-late afternoon rather than high noon.
On a clear summer day that's frequently around 9–11 AM or 3–5 PM, but it shifts with the season, the weather, and where you live — which is exactly why a fixed "tan at 2 PM" rule lets people down.
Adjust for your skin type
Fair skin (Fitzpatrick I–II) burns fast and should tan at lower UV and for less time. Deeper skin (IV–VI) tolerates more. The same UV index that's a perfect window for one person is a burn for another.
That's why Sunkind builds your window from your Fitzpatrick type, not a one-size rule.
Let Sunkind find your window
Sunkind pulls the live hourly UV for your location from Apple WeatherKit and highlights today's best tan window for your skin — start time, end time, SPF, and how long to stay out.
It even sends one gentle morning note on good-window days, so you can plan your day around the sun instead of catching it by luck.
Frequently asked questions
What time of day is best to tan?
Whenever UV is high enough to tan but safe for your skin type — often mid-morning or mid-to-late afternoon rather than midday. It varies by season, weather, and location, so check the live UV for your spot.
What UV index is best for tanning?
For most people a moderate UV index (around 3–5) tans well with lower burn risk; fair skin should aim lower and protect more. Sunkind tailors this to your Fitzpatrick skin type.
Can you tan in the morning?
Yes — once UV climbs above ~3 you can tan. Mid-morning is often a great lower-burn-risk window compared with midday.