Austin Air Quality
What's in the air, what it means for your family, and when to open the windows. US AQI on the EPA scale from Open-Meteo forecast models - for official monitor readings, see AirNow.gov.
Can I…?
Hour-by-hour AQI
Pollutant breakdown
Each pollutant gets its own EPA score; the overall AQI is the highest one. Particle scores use 24-hour averages, so a clean hour can still score higher.
Air quality forecast
Daily average AQI, with the day's low-to-high range.
Typical for this month
Typical Austin levels for this month, graded on the National Allergy Bureau scale. Our data provider doesn't offer pollen for North America, so these aren't today's counts.
Full year & Cedar Fever
Better air inside your home
We spend about 90% of our time indoors, where air can be 2–5× more polluted than outside.
Change your air filter
Your HVAC filter is your home's first line of defense. Check it monthly and swap it every 1–3 months, sooner after smoke or dust, and use MERV-13 if your system can handle it. A clogged filter hurts air quality and makes your system work harder.
Ventilate smartly
Open windows when the AQI is 50 or below - the "Can I…?" check above tells you when. On high-pollen or bad-air days, keep the house sealed and let your system filter the air.
Keep humidity in check
EPA's target is 30–50%, and never above 60%, to discourage mold and dust mites. Austin summers push well past that; a whole-home dehumidifier makes a noticeable difference.
Stop mold at the source
Fix leaks, run bath fans after showers and keep humidity under 60%. An ERV brings in fresh air with less of Austin's humidity.
Cut indoor pollutants
Scented candles, aerosol sprays, gas stoves and plug-in fresheners release VOCs. Use your range hood, choose fragrance-free cleaners, and skip "ozone generator" air cleaners - EPA warns against them.
Pet owners
Pet dander is a top indoor allergy trigger. Vacuum twice a week with a HEPA vacuum, and on high-pollen days wipe paws and coats when pets come in.
Share today's report
Post Austin's air quality to your HOA group, neighborhood page or Instagram.