AQI Comparison
AQI 150 vs AQI 200
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 150
3.11
cigarettes per 24h
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: This is the point where many households should start changing plans.
AQI 200
4.8
cigarettes per 24h
Unhealthy: Everyone should start taking protective steps, not just sensitive groups.
What changes between these two AQI values
Difference in PM2.5
37
µg/m³
Difference per day
1.69
cigarettes
Direction
AQI 200 is materially heavier exposure
Moving from AQI 150 to AQI 200 does not just make the air feel worse. It changes the protection plan, especially for outdoor exercise, kids, and overnight indoor air.
Calculate AQI 150
Open the interactive calculator with AQI 150 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.