Notice: Users may be experiencing issues with displaying some pages on stanfordhealthcare.org. We are working closely with our technical teams to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience.

COVID-19 Resources » Vaccine Update » Visitor Policy »

UV Exposure Categories

What Are the UV Exposure Categories?

Have you ever wondered how much UV is too much? This UV exposure table details the different levels of UV exposure and what they mean to you. Learn more about the effects of UV exposure.

1 Index Values	1 Exposure Categories
1 0-2	1 Minimal—An index reading of 0 to 2 means minimal danger from the sun's UV rays for the average person.
1 3-4	1 Low—An index reading of 3 to 4 means you may be at risk of skin damage from the sun's rays. Many people can experience a sunburn in 45 minutes.
1 5-6	1 Moderate—An index reading of 5 to 6 means you may be at some measurable risk of skin damage due to the sun. Many people can experience a burn in only 30 minutes.
1 7-9	1 High—An index reading of 7 to 9 means you may be at high risk of harm from unprotected exposure to the sun. Many people can burn in under 15 minutes.
1 10+	1 Very High—An index reading of 10 and above means you are at maximum risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Many people burn in as little as 10 minutes without protection.

Click to See Chart

INTERESTED IN AN ONLINE SECOND OPINION?

The Stanford Medicine Online Second Opinion program offers you easy access to our world-class doctors. It’s all done remotely and you don’t have to visit our hospital or one of our clinics for this service. You don’t even need to leave home!

Visit our online second opinion page to learn more.

Condition Spotlight

Press Release Skin Cancer Screening a Valuable Tool against Disease Watch Video

Keeping Close Watch Can Catch Skin Cancer Early Play Video | 3:18

Stanford Hospital's Dr. Kevin Wang Discusses Skin Cancer Prevention and Treatment Play Video | 1:12:57

Your Questions Answered: Skin Cancer Watch Video

Dr. Susan Swetter on Melanoma, the Most Deadly Form of Skin Cancer Watch Video

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.

Open trials refer to studies currently accepting participants. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but may open in the future.

Open Trials Closed Trials

Testing the Combination of Two Experimental Drugs MK-3475 (Pembrolizumab) and Interferon-gamma for the Treatment of Mycosis Fungoides and Sézary Syndrome and Advanced Synovial Sarcoma Cancer, Lymphoma,

Testing Pembrolizumab Versus Observation in Patients With Merkel Cell Carcinoma After Surgery, STAMP Study Skin Cancer

Mogamulizumab + Low-Dose Total Skin Electron Beam Tx in Mycosis Fungoides & Sézary Syndrome Skin Cancer

DERM US and EU Validation Study Melanoma, Skin Cancer