Lens Tinting — Which Color, What Percentage, and What For
Written by MODI
Lens tinting isn't just about looks — the color and the level of darkness directly determine where and how your glasses will serve you. Here we'll break down what the darkness categories mean, what each color gives you, and when dark lenses are off-limits for driving.
Darkness categories (0–4)
| Category | Darkness | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0–20% | Clear / a light aesthetic tint |
| 1 | 20–57% | Overcast days, the city |
| 2 | 57–82% | Moderate sun |
| 3 | 82–92% | Bright sun, sea, mountains — the most common |
| 4 | 92–97% | High mountains, glaciers. Banned for driving |
BARNER sunglasses are mostly category 3 — strong protection on sunny days, at the sea and in the mountains.
What each color gives you
Gray/black — renders colors naturally and tires the eyes the least. The universal choice.
Brown/amber — boosts contrast and depth perception — great in changing light and for car passengers (up to cat. 3).
Green (G-15) — the classic tone; keeps colors natural and is easy on the eyes.
Pink/blue and gradient — mostly for style; a gradient (dark on top, light below) is comfortable for reading — you look down at the text through the lighter part.
Tint ≠ UV protection — the most important rule
A common mistake is thinking that the darker the lens, the better it protects your eyes. In reality, the opposite can happen: a dark lens without UV protection is actually dangerous — the pupil dilates and lets more UV rays inside. That's why a tint should always come with UV400 protection. Every BARNER lens has 100% UVA/UVB protection.
Tinted + prescription — is it possible?
Yes. A prescription lens can be made in the tint of your choice — meaning one pair gives you both vision correction and sun protection. The alternative is a photochromic ("chameleon") lens, which darkens on its own depending on the light. A consultant in any of our stores can walk you through both options — prescription lenses are ordered individually.
Ready-made options at MODI
If you want tinted lenses ready to go, the BARNER collection offers sunglasses in ready-made colors — gray, brown (Amber), blue (Laguna), red (Red), and pink (Rose) — with polarized lenses and 100% UV protection.
Sunglasses with colored lenses →
Read next: Prescription Lenses — What You Need to Know · Polarized Lenses
