AQI Comparison

AQI 100 vs AQI 150

A one-step change in AQI category can translate into a meaningful jump in particle dose. This page shows how much difference that makes in practical exposure terms.

AQI 100

1.6

cigarettes per 24h

Moderate: Most adults are okay, but long hard efforts may start to matter.

AQI 150

3.11

cigarettes per 24h

Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: This is the point where many households should start changing plans.

What changes between these two AQI values

Difference in PM2.5

33.4

µg/m³

Difference per day

1.51

cigarettes

Direction

AQI 150 is materially heavier exposure

Moving from AQI 100 to AQI 150 does not just make the air feel worse. It changes the protection plan, especially for outdoor exercise, kids, and overnight indoor air.

Calculate AQI 100

Open the interactive calculator with AQI 100 loaded.

Calculate AQI 150

Use the interactive calculator to test a different duration.

See how the numbers are derived

Review the AQI-to-PM2.5 and PM2.5-to-cigarettes methodology.