Short answer: the higher the number in the shade name (20, 40, 60, 80), the darker the film. The exact figure is the VLT (light that passes through): in the Miracle range, BLACK 20 lets 63% of light through and BLACK 80 only 4%. Use a light to medium shade on the windshield, and darker shades on the sides and rear for privacy.
What the numbers on window film mean
When you shop for car window film you will hear numbers like 20%, 40%, 60% or 80%. In the Indonesian market these describe how dark the film looks. The higher the number, the darker the cabin looks from outside and the less light comes in.
Miracle shades follow the same idea in every series: BLACK 20, for example, is lighter than BLACK 40, 60 and 80. Each series has its own character: Miracle Black is non-reflective, Miracle Silver is reflective, Miracle HR has higher heat rejection, and Miracle LR is black with high heat rejection.
The number in the name is not an exact percentage, and the same number in different series is not necessarily equally dark. To know how dark a film really is, look at the VLT (visible light transmission): the percentage of visible light that passes through. The lower the VLT, the darker the film.
VLT of every Miracle shade
| Shade | VLT | UVR | IRR | TSER | Simulator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miracle Black · Non-reflective black | |||||
| BLACK 20 | 63% | 45% | 10% | 19% | Try it |
| BLACK 40 | 29% | 71% | 10% | 33% | Try it |
| BLACK 60 | 12% | 89% | 10% | 38% | Try it |
| BLACK 80 | 4% | 4% | 10% | 38% | Try it |
| Miracle Silver · Reflective silver | |||||
| SILVER 20 | 45% | 86% | 17% | 28% | Try it |
| SILVER 40 | 34% | 73% | 37% | 43% | Try it |
| SILVER 60 | 19% | 82% | 64% | 64% | Try it |
| SILVER 80 | 10% | 93% | 64% | 67% | Try it |
| Miracle HR · Black, high heat rejection | |||||
| HR 40 | 23% | 99% | 40% | 47% | Try it |
| HR 60 | 15% | 99% | 40% | 50% | Try it |
| HR 80 | 25% | 99% | 70% | 68% | Try it |
| Miracle LR · Black. High heat rejection. | |||||
| LR 40 | 23% | 99% | 40% | 47% | Try it |
| LR 60 | 15% | 99% | 40% | 50% | Try it |
| LR 80 | 5% | 99% | 70% | 68% | Try it |
VLT shows the darkness, UVR and IRR show how much UV and infrared is rejected, and TSER shows the total solar energy rejected. Every term is explained in the window film glossary.
Tint simulator
Try every series and shade on a real car photo, from outside and from the driver’s seat, with the VLT, UV, infrared and TSER figures alongside.
Which shade for which window
| Category | VLT | Suits | Miracle shades |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light | VLT 45% and up | The windshield, when you want the brightest view | BLACK 20, SILVER 20 |
| Medium | VLT 25–44% | The windshield and front side windows | SILVER 40, BLACK 40, HR 80 |
| Dark | VLT 10–24% | Side and rear windows | HR 40, LR 40, SILVER 60, HR 60, LR 60, BLACK 60, SILVER 80 |
| Darkest | VLT below 10% | Rear side windows, rear window, sunroof | LR 80, BLACK 80 |
The windshield can be lighter than the sides and rear: many owners choose a light or medium shade at the front and a darker one on the sides and rear. Ask about combinations and prices on the price list or at your nearest official dealer.
Is darker tint cooler?
Not necessarily. Sunlight is made of ultraviolet (UV), visible light and infrared. Most of the heat you feel on your skin and in the cabin comes from infrared, which you cannot see.
Darkness only reduces visible light. A film can be very dark and still let a lot of infrared through, so the cabin stays hot. That is why you should compare TSER and IRR in the table above, not just how dark a film is. In the Miracle range, the HR and Silver series are designed for higher heat rejection than Miracle Black; the exact figures are in the table.
Tint and night driving
A windshield that is too dark makes the road, pedestrians and markings harder to see at night and in the rain. Choose a light or medium shade for the windshield and keep the darker shades for the side and rear windows.
Reflective film such as Miracle Silver reflects light from outside, so it looks mirror-like in daylight. If you prefer a look that does not reflect, choose a non-reflective series such as Miracle Black, HR or LR. The difference is explained in types of window film.
Frequently asked questions
What does 80 percent tint mean?
In Indonesia, the percentage on window film usually describes how dark it looks: the higher the number, the darker. The exact figure is the VLT (visible light transmission). The darkest Miracle shade is BLACK 80 with a VLT of 4%, so the cabin looks very dark from outside.
What tint percentage is best for a car?
For the windshield, choose a light to medium shade (VLT of about 25% or more) so the view stays clear, especially at night and in the rain. For the side and rear windows, darker shades are usually chosen for privacy. The final choice depends on the privacy you want and how you drive.
Which shade should I use on the windshield?
Choose a shade with a VLT of about 25% or more. In the Miracle range, the light and medium shades are: BLACK 20, SILVER 20, SILVER 40, BLACK 40, HR 80. Our official dealers can show you samples on your own car.
Is darker window film cooler?
Not necessarily. Most of the heat you feel comes from infrared, while darkness only reduces visible light. To compare how cool a film keeps you, look at TSER (total solar energy rejected) and IRR (infrared rejection), not just how dark it is.
What are the lightest and darkest Miracle shades?
The lightest is BLACK 20 with a VLT of 63%, and the darkest is BLACK 80 with a VLT of 4%. The full figures for every shade are in the table on this page.