How long before I burn at UV 11?

Estimates for unprotected skin at UV 11: about 12 minutes for very fair (type I), 15 for fair (type II), 21 for light-medium (type III), 27 for olive (type IV), 36 for brown (type V), and around an hour for the deepest skin tones. Reflection from sand and water shortens these further.

How high does UV get in Australia?

Summer peaks of 12–14 are normal in the capitals, and northern Australia can exceed 16, among the highest levels recorded anywhere. The scale is open-ended: 11+ is simply where the WHO's bands stop.

Should I stay indoors at UV 11?

Not all day, but shifting outdoor time away from roughly 10 am to 3 pm dramatically cuts your dose. UV follows the sun's height in the sky: the same day that's extreme at noon is usually moderate before 9 am and after 5 pm.

How long can you stay in the sun at UV 11+?

UV 11+ · Extreme

UV 11 is where the World Health Organization's scale says 'extreme', and where an Australian summer says 'midday'. At this level very fair skin can begin to burn in about 12 minutes, and every skin type is accumulating significant damage with unprotected exposure. Readings above 11 are routine here: Australian summer peaks commonly reach 12–14, and the far north can exceed 16.

Burn times at UV 11, by skin type

Estimated from typical minimal erythemal doses. Reflection off sand, water or snow shortens all times. SPF 50 times assume proper application and are capped at 4 hours, reapply every 2. Educational only.
Skin type	Sun reaction	Unprotected at UV 11	With SPF 50+
I: Very fair	Always burns, never tans	12 min	4 h+
II: Fair	Burns easily, tans minimally	15 min	4 h+
III: Light to medium	Sometimes burns, tans gradually	21 min	4 h+
IV: Olive to tan	Rarely burns, tans easily	27 min	4 h+
V: Brown	Very rarely burns, tans deeply	36 min	4 h+
VI: Deep brown to black	Almost never burns	1 h 1 min	4 h+

When and where UV 11 happens in Australia

From December to February, UV 11+ middays are the default across mainland Australia, Sydney, Melbourne on clear days, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane all peak at 11–14 in high summer. North of the Tropic of Capricorn, extreme readings run most of the year: Darwin, Cairns and Townsville see UV 11+ in every month except the depths of the dry season. This is among the highest routine UV on Earth, thanks to summer at Earth's closest approach to the sun, clean air and the latitude of our cities.

What protection looks like at this level

At UV 11+, the advice changes character: minimise time in direct sun through the middle of the day. Do the beach early or late; take the midday hours in shade or indoors. When you must be out: covering clothing, broad-brimmed hat, wrap-around sunglasses, SPF 50+ on everything left exposed, reapplied every two hours. Fair-skinned people can burn faster than a parking meter runs out, this is the level where 'I just ducked out for lunch' produces visible sunburn.

Frequently asked questions

How long before I burn at UV 11?: Estimates for unprotected skin at UV 11: about 12 minutes for very fair (type I), 15 for fair (type II), 21 for light-medium (type III), 27 for olive (type IV), 36 for brown (type V), and around an hour for the deepest skin tones. Reflection from sand and water shortens these further.
How high does UV get in Australia?: Summer peaks of 12–14 are normal in the capitals, and northern Australia can exceed 16, among the highest levels recorded anywhere. The scale is open-ended: 11+ is simply where the WHO's bands stop.
Should I stay indoors at UV 11?: Not all day, but shifting outdoor time away from roughly 10 am to 3 pm dramatically cuts your dose. UV follows the sun's height in the sky: the same day that's extreme at noon is usually moderate before 9 am and after 5 pm.

Keep reading

What does UV 11 mean for your skin?

A photo estimates your skin type; the live UV where you stand turns it into your personal burn time.

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