Window tinting comes with plenty of benefits. It protects your vehicle’s interior from the sun’s harmful (and damaging) rays, keeps your car significantly cooler, and gives you a little privacy when you’re singing along with your favorite tunes. So, how much does it cost to have your windows tinted?
On average, basic window tinting costs between $150 and $250 for a standard 4-door sedan or standard truck. For a coupe with steep windows, the cost may be higher per window, averaging between $125 and $200 for the job. Large trucks and SUVs typically run between $250-$500 for basic tint.
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How Much Does it Cost to Have Your Windows Tinted?
Having your vehicle’s windows tinted typically costs between $100 and $800 (or more) depending on your vehicle’s make and model, the type of tint, and your geographic location.
| Minimum Cost | $99 – $175 |
| Maximum Cost | $700 – $900+ |
| Average Price Range | $150 – $350 |
The price for having your windows tinted depends on a few important factors. The type of vehicle you have will determine how many windows need to be tinted and their shape, size, and design. For example, some vehicles have fewer windows, but they’re built in a way that makes the job more labor-intensive.
The type of tint that you choose will also play a role in how much the work costs. There are different types of window tints at different price points. Of course, higher-quality tint is generally more expensive than lower-quality materials. The darkness and warranty can also impact the price.
Some shops charge a higher rate for darker tint, especially if it’s darker than the legal limit. Also, certain types and brands of tint come with better warranties than others. Some even offer lifetime warranties against peeling, cracking, and other damage. Those brands are usually more expensive than window tint brands that only come with a very limited warranty.
Window Tinting Prices
The prices for having window tint installed primarily depend on your vehicle and the type of window tint used. For example, having a tint installed on a large SUV typically costs more than a small 4-door car. Let’s take a look at some example prices to help you get a better idea of what to expect.
Types of Window Tint – Cheapest to Most Expensive
| Dyed Film | $ |
| Metalized Film | $$ |
| Ceramic Film | $$$ |
| Clear Ceramic Film | $$$$ |
| IR Ceramic Film | $$$$$ |
| Nano Carbon-Ceramic Film | $$$$$ |
Prices for Classic/Dyed Window Tint Film
To have a standard (least expensive) window tint installed, you should expect to pay between $100 and $250 depending on your vehicle.
For a small car (4-door), it would usually cost around $50 per window for the materials and labor. So, to have all the windows and rear windshield tinted would cost around $250.
For a 2-door car (coupe), you should expect to pay between $150 and $220. However, in some cases, the job is more labor-intensive with a 2-door vehicle because of the tight spaces and steep angles for the technician to work in. It’s always a good idea to have them look at your car and give you a quote first.
For a standard pickup truck, window tinting usually costs between $250 and $350 depending on the truck’s size and the number of windows. A large truck with an extended cab or a four-door truck would cost more than a small truck.
To have the windows tinted on an SUV, would typically cost between $250 and $500. The vehicle’s size and the size of the windows and rear windshield would determine the final cost,
along with the type of tint that you select.
Metalized Window Tint
The next step up from dyed window tint film is metalized film. This type of window tint is made with metallic particles that work by reflecting light and UV rays, rather than absorbing them. It’s more effective at blocking the sun’s rays than dyed window film, but it’s not the best option out there.
Metalized film is very durable. It’s resistant to scratches and chips, and it can even help prevent your windows from cracking. In some situations, like if you have a work truck that gets beat up, metalized film might be the best option.
However, this type of film can cause problems with your cell phone and other electronic device signals.
Ceramic or Carbon Window Tint Cost
Carbon and ceramic window tints are more expensive than standard or classic/dyed window tints. Going with one of these materials can add several hundred dollars to your tint job, but it may be worth it for the added quality.
Carbon window tint is made with carbon particles that help block out the sun’s rays and will hold its color for much longer than dyed films. This film type doesn’t have any metal particles in it, so it won’t interfere with any of your vehicle’s electronics or cell signals.
Ceramic film is typically some of the most expensive and highest quality. This tint is made with ceramic particles that don’t interfere with your vehicle’s technology or your personal devices.
Some manufacturers make carbon-ceramic hybrids. These are usually the most expensive options because they’re made with the most advanced technology and are premium quality films. The color rarely fades and these window tints hold up very well over time.
Window Tinting Prices by State
Depending on where you live, window tinting may be more or less expensive because of the local laws and regulations. For example, in states like Texas, Oklahoma, Washington, and Florida, the legal limit for window tint is much darker than in states like California, Delaware, or Iowa.
In some states, tinting certain windows are illegal altogether. So, in states where you find severe restrictions on window tinting, you’re likely to find higher prices due to the added risk of legal repercussions.
| State | Sample Cost Estimate |
| Florida | $100 – $350 |
| California | $200 – $450 |
| Georgia | $185 – $375 |
| Texas | $250 – $500 |
| Ohio | $150 – $225 |
| New Jersey | $250 – $500 |
| New York | $300 – $600 |
Cost Factors for Window Tinting
Aside from the obvious factors impacting the cost of window tinting, there are other things that can cause the price to be higher or lower. Let’s discuss some of the other cost factors for window tinting and how they might affect you.
Quality of Protection
Depending on where you live, you may have a greater need for your window tint to block the sun’s heat and rays.
For example, if you live in Florida, you’ll want to have at least 50% heat protection to help keep your car’s seats and steering wheel from becoming a burn hazard. More protection means more money.
Tint Color
The standard window tint is black, but there are options for other colors if that’s something you’re looking for.
There are window tint films that have a rainbow coloration, or those that are blue or bronze colored. In most cases, colored tint costs more than standard black.
Transparency
When you choose your window tint, you’ll have to select the transparency level, too. This will determine how much light can get through the window tint and how well someone outside the vehicle can see in. Typically, less transparent films are more expensive than those that are more transparent.
Warranty Coverage
If you want to have a lifetime warranty on your window tint, you’ll have to purchase a premium brand that stands behind its product 100%.
These brands are typically more expensive, but it can be worth it for the improved product quality. If you don’t plan on keeping the car for too long, it may not be worth it for you to pay more for a lifetime warranty.
How Much is Window Tint Removal?
Most shops charge between $50 and $150 for tint removal, depending on how many windows you have and how long the job will take.
In some cases, you may purchase a vehicle that has tinted windows, but they may not be as dark as you would like. If you want to have your windows tinted using a darker shade, you’ll have to remove the existing tint first.
Some shops will remove the existing tint for free or for a fraction of what they normally charge to remove it without the purchase of a tint job. Still, it’s important to verify whether your shop charges extra for this service and how much it will cost so you’ll know what to expect.
Here’s what one shop located in Florida listed for tint removal prices:
| Small single quarter or triangle window | $25 |
| Medium single quarter or triangle window | $40 |
| Large single quarter or triangle window | $55 |
| Front strip (windshield) | $75 |
| Single door window | $75 |
| Single sunroof (standard size) | $115 |
| Front windshield | $190 |
| Rear windshield | $150 |
Can You Save Money By Tinting Your Own Windows?
The cheapest way to tint your windows is to do it yourself. However, that doesn’t mean that you should take the DIY approach. You can find DIY window tinting kits at your local automotive store, or you can find them online through retailers like Amazon.
You can purchase a DIY window tint kit for under $50, but higher quality materials will cost more. You’ll also need the right tools for the job, which can cost another $20-$50.
However, there are more considerations than just the cost of materials. Before you commit to doing the job yourself you should think about the time that it will take and the potential for the job to turn out badly.
It’s very easy to leave air bubbles underneath the film or apply it incorrectly and end up having to remove it and start over. Or, you may end up having to take it to a professional anyway if it goes really badly.
Another consideration is that the window tint films you buy on the internet are typically not the same high quality that you find at a professional shop. Further, they almost never come with any kind of warranty to protect against problems down the road.
If you have your windows professionally tinted, they’ll usually be covered for a time against cracking, peeling, fading, and bubbling. So, if you have any issues, you can bring the car back to the shop and they’ll fix it for you.
You don’t have that luxury when you do the job yourself.
Another thing to think about is your local laws and regulations. When you take your vehicle to a local shop, they’ll be familiar with the types and shades of tint that are legally allowed where you live. They’ll know where you can and cannot put tint, and they’ll be able to advise you to ensure you don’t end up breaking any laws.
Doing it yourself can mean you end up with a tint that’s too dark or applied in places it shouldn’t be. That could lead to traffic tickets, or even having to pay to remove the tint later on.
So, while it may save you quite a bit of money at the time, it can end up costing more, in the long run, to do the work yourself versus having a professional take care of your tint job.
The Bottom Line
Getting your windows tinted is an easy way to improve your vehicle’s appearance and make it more comfortable for you and your passengers. A lot of cars and SUVs come with some light tint on the rear windows, but many owners want to have darker tint on all the windows.
How much it will cost to have your vehicle’s windows tinted depends on many factors, including your vehicle’s make and model, the size, and the number of windows. How big the windows are and if they have tight angles to work in can also impact the price.
You may be tempted to do the work yourself to save money, but you should use caution with this approach. Many DIY kits you find online aren’t the same quality as you find at your local body shops, and it’s not easy to install the film correctly without causing it to bubble.
To save money, it’s a good idea to shop around for multiple quotes. You should also check into it during the slower season, like during winter when fewer people are worried about keeping the sun and heat out of their vehicles.
