What is the best color to block the sun?

Author: Bethel Fay  |  Last update: Thursday, December 11, 2025

Of all colours tested, dark blue offered the best levels of UV protection, making it the best colour to wear in the sun. Contrary to the popular belief that they are the coolest colours in the sun, white and yellow were the worst performing colours in terms of UV protection.

Which color is best for sun protection?

The Cancer Council in Australia suggests that darker colors absorb UV rays, which helps block them from your skin. That's why dark blue, black, and dark red are the best colors for sun protection compared to white or pastel colors of the same fabric.

What color stays the coolest in the sun?

1. White. White is the ultimate summer color as it reflects sunlight rather than absorbing it, which helps to keep your body cooler.

What color absorbs the most UV rays?

Dark or bright colors, including red, black and navy blue, absorb more UV rays than lighter colors like whites and pastels. For example, an everyday white cotton T-shirt has a UPF of only about 5. As a rule of thumb, the more intense the hue, the better protection the clothing will provide.

What's the best color to wear on a hot day?

Choose light colors: Wearing light colors that reflect the sun's rays rather than absorb them (as dark colors can) helps keep you cool. Look for shirts, shorts, pants and hats in white, tan or khaki.

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What color does not attract the sun?

Dark or bright colors

Darker colors, such as blue or black, absorb more UV rays than lighter shades like whites and pastels. This means the UV rays are less likely to reach your skin.

What color is best against heat?

1. White. It's no surprise white came up as the color that stayed the coolest from the results. Temperature readings showed the surfaces of the white shirts wavered around 86 degrees Fahrenheit, which is considerably low compared to the 122 degrees Fahrenheit of the dark green shirts.

What color best blocks the sun?

Of all colours tested, dark blue offered the best levels of UV protection, making it the best colour to wear in the sun. Contrary to the popular belief that they are the coolest colours in the sun, white and yellow were the worst performing colours in terms of UV protection.

Is it better to wear black or white in the sun?

Black and dark colors absorb more UV rays than other colors, which will ensure they don't hit your skin as much. Essentially, the darker the color, the more sun protection it will offer. Besides black, other dark colors that can provide a level of sun protection include navy, maroon, and dark gray.

What to wear to protect from sun?

Unbleached cotton contains natural lignins that act as UV absorbers. Shiny polyesters and even lightweight satiny silks can be highly protective because they reflect radiation. High-tech fabrics treated with chemical UV absorbers or dyes prevent some penetration from UV rays.

What colors should I avoid during summer?

AVOID DARK COLORS

Dark colors like black, navy, and brown absorb sunlight, which can make you feel even hotter. These colors tend to increase body heat and can lead to uncomfortable heat buildup. Try to avoid them on hot days and opt for lighter, brighter colors instead.

Which two colors should you mix to make grey?

The two colours that make the grey colour is black and white and they should be of equal volume. 50:50 proposition of black and white colours is to be mixed to make the grey colour. Now you can add black if you want a darker shade or white to get a lighter shade as per your requirement.

How do you stay cool in full sun?

When out in direct sunlight remember:
  1. Wear (and regularly reapply) sunscreen.
  2. Cover your head with a hat.
  3. Take regular breaks indoors or in a shady area to avoid getting heat exhaustion or heatstroke.
  4. Wearing light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing will also help you to stay cool.

What colors deflect the sun?

Whites, off-whites, light grays, and pastel shades of pink, yellow, blue, and green reflect the sun's rays away from your body better than darker colors. These lighter colors don't absorb as much UV light, so wearing them means less exposure for your skin.

Do UV rays go through clothes?

If you can see light through a fabric, UV rays can get through, too. Long-sleeved shirts, long pants, or long skirts cover the most skin and are the most protective. Dark colors generally provide more protection than light colors. A tightly woven fabric protects better than loosely woven clothing.

What color to wear to look less sunburned?

While you're getting over a bad burn, dark-colored clothing is your best friend. Remember the old trick of wearing white to look more tan? Well, it also makes you look more sunburned. Tight clothes will rub on your burn and create blisters, while skimpy skirts and tops will expose your burn to more sun.

Does a long sleeve shirt protect from sun?

To help protect your skin from the sun, dermatologists recommend wearing the following items: Lightweight and long-sleeved shirts and pants. It's important to cover up as much of your skin as possible when spending time outdoors. When selecting clothing, avoid fabrics with a loose or open weave, such as lace.

What color hat is best for the sun?

The color of a hat significantly influences its ability to block UV light: Darker colors, such as black, navy blue, and dark greys, absorb more sunlight and UV rays, preventing them from penetrating the fabric. These colours are ideal for protecting against skin damage caused by the sun.

Why do people wear black in summer?

And whilst black indeed absorbs heat from the sun, it is also known to wick heat away from the body. To ensure the utmost comfort when making moves in the city, lightweight textiles such as linen or cotton will instantly provide a cooler solution.

What colors protect you from evil?

Blue: The All-Encompassing Hue of Protection

Wearing a blue evil eye necklace symbolizes protection and tranquility. Its presence is a barrier against harm, signifying a calm and peaceful energy that shields the beholder from malevolent forces.

What is the best way to block the sun?

Draperies. One of the simplest and most stylish ways to block sun heat from windows is by using draperies. Thick, tightly woven fabrics, such as velvet or thermal-backed curtains, act as an effective window heat blocker, reducing indoor temperatures significantly.

What color reduces heat the most?

1. White. It's no surprise white came up as the color that stayed the coolest from the results. Temperature readings showed the surfaces of the white shirts wavered around 86 degrees Fahrenheit, which is considerably low compared to the 122 degrees Fahrenheit of the dark green shirts.

What color dissipates heat faster?

That's because black not only demonstrates the best heat absorption, therefore displaying the highest difference between the heatsink temperature and that of the air surrounding it, but it also showed the highest rates of dissipation.

What color car stays coolest in the sun?

White is one of the best colors for reflecting sunlight and heat. A white car can remain significantly cooler compared to darker-colored vehicles. This is because white surfaces reflect almost all wavelengths of light, reducing the amount of heat absorbed. Silver cars are another excellent option for staying cool.

What is the hottest color?

Blue flames are the hottest, followed by white. After that, yellow, orange and red are the common colours you'll see in most fires. It's interesting to note that, despite the common use of blue as a cold colour, and red as a hot colour – as they are on taps, for instance – it's the opposite for fire.

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