AQI Comparison

AQI 50 vs AQI 100

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 50

0.55

cigarettes per 24h

Good: Most people can keep their normal routine.

AQI 100

1.6

cigarettes per 24h

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

What changes between these two AQI values

Difference in PM2.5

23.1

µg/m³

Difference per day

1.05

cigarettes

Direction

AQI 100 is materially heavier exposure

Moving from AQI 50 to AQI 100 does not just make the air feel worse. It changes the protection plan, especially for outdoor exercise, kids, and overnight indoor air.

Calculate AQI 50

Open the interactive calculator with AQI 50 loaded.

Calculate AQI 100

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.