How much does it cost to tint your car's windows?

Whether you are considering tinting your car windows for the appearance or to cut down on the sunlight, it’s important to examine the costs before getting started. What is the cost of car window tinting?

To tint your car windows, you could pay anywhere between $50 and $1,000+ Average car window tinting prices are around $300 Costs vary depending on what car you have, where you will apply it and the kind of tint that you choose. It’s also cheaper to do the window tint yourself, but it may not look as good in the end. 

This guide will show you the average cost of each car type. These estimates will take into account the cost of professional tinting. Also, we will discuss the costs and how you can save money by tinting your own windows. 

Average cost of car window tinting

1. Coupe

Due to its small windows, the coupe is usually going to be one of the most affordable to tint. A single window might cost $50, but you could only pay $50 for tinting. 

It could cost $200 to $600 to tint every side and back window. The total cost of the bill could be increased by $100-300 if you add the windshield. 

RELATED: Windshield Tint – Pros, Cons, Darkness & Is it Legal?

2.  Sedan

The prices for your average sedan are going to be similar to most coupes because the windows aren’t that much larger. There could be slightly more or smaller windows than the ones found on the coupe. A single window could cost you $50 to $150.

The cost of tinting all the windows, including the back window, could be between $200 and $600. The cost of the windshield will rise by $100-300.  

3. Truck

Car tinting costs depend on your truck's size and number of windows. You might pay $150-$450 to tint your sides and back on a standard cab truck. 

For the same job, an extended-cab truck can cost from $200 to $550 while a crew cab could be between $250 and $600. A tinted windshield can be added for an additional $150 to $300. 

4. SUV

The cost of tinting for an SUV will differ depending on how big it is. An SUV that is smaller than a sedan or coupe might have the same price, but a larger one could cost you more. Large SUVs are often larger than vans or trucks. 

The average cost to tint the back and side windows is $200-$800. The windshield can be done for an additional $100 to $350. 

5. Van

A large van can make car tinting more expensive. Tinting the back and sides of your vehicle can cost anywhere from $250 up to $1,000, depending on its size. 

You can also have the windshield tinted if it’s legal in your state. You might be charged an additional $150-350 for this service. 

The Cost of Car Window Tinting is Influenced by Several Factors

1. Type of vehicle

You’ve already seen the breakdown by vehicle size. The cost of windows that are smaller will result in lower costs. The reason for this is because less material is needed and there’s less labor involved. However, that’s not always the case, as there are some vehicles that are simply more difficult to work on even though they are smaller.

A Tesla Model 3's glass roof is more expensive to tint than the average sunroof. Additionally, some older vehicles can add some time to the labor if the installer isn’t able to get a template for the plotter and they need to be hand-cut. In some cases, the shop itself won’t charge you extra for these inconveniences, but you can certainly expect the car to be in for installation longer. 

2. Tint Type

You have a variety of options for tints, and each one has a price. You can spend less by using a dyed window tint versus ceramic or carbon options, but it isn’t as high-quality. The higher quality tint will give you a better result, but it comes at a greater cost. Ceramic is the most expensive option, and it's the choice for the majority of luxury vehicles.

There’s also the brand of the automotive tint to consider. There are many low-cost brands, but they will not provide the same quality as expensive ones. The cheap window tint you buy will eventually fade and pull off from your window in just a few decades. 

This will save you some money, but it is still a better investment than spending more upfront. We don’t think so, which is why it’s recommended to choose a high-quality automotive tint from a reputable brand and just pay a little more. If you sell your vehicle down the line, the price you get for the tinting work will be higher. 

3. Tint Removal

Most people don’t consider what has to be removed from the car windows first. It is necessary to remove any factory tint, or tints that have been applied previously. 

Some tints can't be removed with sticky glue or other adhesives. To remove this tint, the technician may need to take extra time. If there’s no window tint on the car currently, the workers have a much easier job, just requiring them to clean the surface first. 

RELATED : How to Remove Window Tint (Four Easy Steps)

4. Installer/Location

Cost will be affected by where you bring your car to get tinted. You can save money if you do it yourself. However, there are some downsides to this method that we'll discuss in a moment. 

It’s important to interview various installers to decide who is best. Each person is not able to perform a high-quality job. Ask for examples of previous work and get references.

A larger shop will charge you more overhead. The professional shop isn’t going to use a spray bottle and a squeegee only. To complete the task with precision, they will need to have special lights, torches and high-quality knives. To ensure that your tinting is done quickly, this shop will need to employ a team. You will be happy with your results because of the experience gained and high-quality products. 

Window Tinting: Professional or DIY

It’s tempting to go to your local auto parts store to buy some cheap window tint and do the job yourself. After all, it’s easy to get a roll of tint for as little as $10. If you are short on cash, it’s understandable that you would take this route, but is it the best option? It may seem appealing at first, but you might not like the end result and it may not last. These are important factors to think about. 

You will still need to have some experience and special tools in order to put on DIY tint kits. It’s helpful if you have detailed vehicles in the past. In addition, it is your responsibility to make sure that the tint you are applying in your state is legal. Professional shops would know this information. There’s also the chance that your tint job is going to look terrible when you are done, with bubbling and imperfections that make your vehicle’s appearance worse in the end. 

You should also consider your frustration levels. If you aren’t used to tinting your vehicle’s windows, there are sure to be some words that shouldn’t be repeated as you struggle to figure it out. Because you might make mistakes, some material may have to be added. This will allow you to decide whether the extra expense of hiring a professional shop worth it.