AQI Exposure Planner
Turn an Air Quality Index value into practical outdoor planning guidance. Combine AQI category, sensitivity, duration, and activity intensity before you run, commute, practice, or work outside.
Use the U.S. AQI from AirNow or a source using the same scale. Values above 500 are beyond the AQI scale and retain hazardous-condition guidance.
Sensitivity
Duration
Intensity
Orange • AQI 101-150
1-2 hours + moderate effort
Modify or move indoors
Sensitive groups should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion at this AQI. 1-2 hours + moderate effort. moderate duration adds meaningful exposure time; moderate effort increases the air you breathe.
Move hard workouts indoors or switch to a short, light outdoor plan until AQI improves.
AQI Categories for Outdoor Planning
Good
AQI 0-50
Air quality is generally satisfactory and pollution poses little or no risk for most people.
Moderate
AQI 51-100
Air quality is acceptable, but unusually sensitive people may notice effects.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
AQI 101-150
People in sensitive groups may experience health effects; the general public is less likely to be affected.
Unhealthy
AQI 151-200
Some members of the general public may experience effects, and sensitive groups may experience more serious effects.
Very Unhealthy
AQI 201-300
Health alert conditions. The risk of health effects is increased for everyone.
Hazardous
AQI 301+
Health warning of emergency conditions. Everyone is more likely to be affected.
Source context: AirNow describes the U.S. AQI as EPA's index for reporting outdoor air quality and health, with higher values representing greater pollution and health concern.
Duration Matters
A short walk at moderate AQI is different from a two-hour run. The planner raises caution when exposure is long or breathing rate is high.
Sensitive Groups First
Children, older adults, and people with heart or lung conditions often need to adjust plans earlier than the general public.
Smoke Can Shift Fast
Wildfire smoke can change block by block and hour by hour. Recheck nearby sensors and official updates before hard outdoor exertion.
This Tool Is Planning Guidance, Not Medical Advice
AQI categories are designed for public communication. Personal risk can depend on pollutant type, symptoms, medication, heat, exertion, and medical history. Follow official local guidance and consult a clinician for personal health decisions.
Watch Air Quality in WeatherAI
Combine air quality, alerts, radar, and local conditions when smoke, ozone, or heat could change your day.
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More on Air Quality and Smoke
Guides and features for tracking AQI, wildfire smoke, and outdoor exertion risk.
Guide
Wildfire Smoke and AQI Explained
What the Air Quality Index actually measures, why PM2.5 from smoke is so harmful, and what to do at each level.
Feature
Air Quality
Track AQI, wildfire smoke, pollen, and pollutant breakdowns for your saved places.
Feature
Wildfire Tracking
Follow active wildfires, smoke forecasts, and fire weather conditions.
Use Case
Weather App for Runners
Time runs around heat, humidity, and air quality with hour-by-hour conditions.