AQI Comparison
AQI 100 vs AQI 200
A one-step AQI category change can mean a meaningful increase in estimated PM2.5 concentration-time.
AQI 100
1.61
cigarette-equivalents per 24h
Moderate: Most adults are okay, but long hard efforts may start to matter.
AQI 200
5.7
cigarette-equivalents per 24h
Unhealthy: Everyone should start taking protective steps, not just sensitive groups.
What changes between these two AQI values
Difference in PM2.5
90
µg/m³
Difference per day
4.09
cigarettes
Direction
AQI 200 is materially heavier exposure
Moving from AQI 100 to AQI 200 changes both estimated PM2.5 concentration and the protection plan.
Calculate AQI 100
Open the interactive calculator with AQI 100 loaded.
Calculate AQI 200
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.