Air Quality UK 2026Real-Time Monitor & PM2.5 Data Near You
Check air quality in the UK with our free real-time monitor. See live PM2.5 levels, air pollution index, DEFRA DAQI, and health recommendations for your location. Powered by Google Air Quality API.
Live Air Quality
Powered by Government Air Quality APIs โข 100% Free
๐ Understanding Air Quality in the UK
Air quality in the UK has improved significantly since the 1950s London smog, but urban areas still face daily pollution challenges. According to UK government data, air pollution causes an estimated 28,000-36,000 deaths annually in the UK, primarily from PM2.5 exposure.
What is PM2.5?
PM2.5 (Particulate Matter 2.5) refers to fine particles smaller than 2.5 micrometres - about 3% the width of a human hair. These microscopic particles come from vehicle exhausts, wood burning, industry, and dust. Because they're so small, PM2.5 penetrates deep into your lungs and bloodstream, causing:
- โข Respiratory problems: Asthma attacks, bronchitis, reduced lung function
- โข Cardiovascular disease: Heart attacks, strokes, irregular heartbeat
- โข Long-term health impacts: Cancer, dementia, premature death
- โข Vulnerable groups: Children, elderly, pregnant women most affected
UK Air Quality Standards (2026)
| Pollutant | WHO Guideline | UK Target | London Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 (annual) | 5 ฮผg/mยณ | 10 ฮผg/mยณ | 11-15 ฮผg/mยณ |
| PM10 (annual) | 15 ฮผg/mยณ | 40 ฮผg/mยณ | 18-22 ฮผg/mยณ |
| NOโ (annual) | 10 ฮผg/mยณ | 40 ฮผg/mยณ | 35-50 ฮผg/mยณ |
| Ozone (Oโ) | 100 ฮผg/mยณ (8-hour) | 120 ฮผg/mยณ | 60-80 ฮผg/mยณ |
๐ฑ Check Air Quality UK Today
Use our real-time monitor above to check current air quality near you anywhere in the UK. Powered by Google Air Quality API with data from:
- โข UK DEFRA monitoring stations (official government network)
- โข Satellite data (500m resolution across UK)
- โข Traffic modelling (vehicle emissions, road networks)
- โข Weather patterns (temperature inversions, wind direction)
- โ Universal AQI (global standard 0-500)
- โ UK DAQI (Daily Air Quality Index 1-10)
- โ PM2.5, PM10, NOโ, Oโ, SOโ, CO levels
- โ Health recommendations for your location
๐ Improve Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air can be 2-5ร more polluted than outdoor air, even in the UK. Here's how to fix it:
Remove 99.97% of PM2.5, pollen, mould, pet dander. Aim for 5-6 ACH in bedrooms/living rooms.
๐ก Check out our Luggables portable MERV purifiers for on-the-go protection
Corsi-Rosenthal Box: ยฃ50-100, delivers 1,000+ mยณ/h CADR. Works as well as ยฃ500 commercial units.
Check outdoor air quality first. Ventilate when AQI <50, run purifiers when AQI >50.
๐๏ธ Regional Air Quality Guides
Check air quality data and pollution levels for 72 UK locations including major cities, London boroughs, postcode districts, and major towns. Each guide includes live monitoring, local pollution sources, and indoor air quality solutions for your region.
๐ Coverage:
- โข 40 Major UK Cities: Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Bristol, and more
- โข 10 London Boroughs: Westminster, Camden, Tower Hamlets, Lambeth, and 6 more
- โข 7 London Postcode Districts: SW1, E14, W1, NW1, SE1, N1, EC1 with hyper-local pollution data
- โข 6 UK City Postcodes: M1 Manchester, B1 Birmingham, G1 Glasgow, LS1 Leeds, L1 Liverpool, EH1 Edinburgh
- โข 9 Major Towns & Suburbs: Croydon, Harrow, Watford, Slough, Bromley, Basildon, Crawley, Enfield, Southend
- โข Live PM2.5 & NO2 monitoring for all 72 locations updated hourly
๐ Manchester Air Quality
Live PM2.5, NO2 data for Greater Manchester. M6, A56 traffic pollution hotspots and solutions.
View Manchester Guide โ๐ Birmingham Air Quality
Real-time monitoring for West Midlands. A38, M6, Clean Air Zone pollution data and health impacts.
View Birmingham Guide โ๐ Glasgow Air Quality
Scotland air quality monitor. M8 motorway, Hope Street pollution, Low Emission Zone updates.
View Glasgow Guide โ๐ Edinburgh Air Quality
Scotland's capital air quality. A720 City Bypass, Princes Street, Waverley Bridge pollution data.
View Edinburgh Guide โ๐ Leeds Air Quality
West Yorkshire pollution monitoring. M621, M1, Inner Ring Road traffic, health impacts.
View Leeds Guide โ๐ Liverpool Air Quality
Merseyside air quality. M62, M57, Port of Liverpool, maritime pollution, tunnel emissions.
View Liverpool Guide โ๐ Bristol Air Quality
Southwest England monitoring. M32, M4, Clean Air Zone, Temple Way pollution solutions.
View Bristol Guide โ๐ Newcastle Air Quality
North East England monitoring. A1, Coast Road, Clean Air Zone, Stephenson Road hotspot data.
View Newcastle Guide โ๐ Sheffield Air Quality
South Yorkshire monitoring. M1, Tinsley, Clean Air Zone (21% NO2 reduction), seasonal trends.
View Sheffield Guide โ๐ Nottingham Air Quality
East Midlands monitoring. A52 corridor, M1, major roadworks alert (through Spring 2026).
View Nottingham Guide โ๐ Cardiff Air Quality
Wales capital air quality. M4, Castle Street, ยฃ32M investment results, no Clean Air Zone.
View Cardiff Guide โ๐ Leicester Air Quality
Record-low pollution: NO2 26 ยตg/mยณ (45% down). Inner ring road data, CAZ scrapped.
View Leicester Guide โ๐ Coventry Air Quality
No CAZ charges - ยฃ24.5M alternatives. Ring Road, Holyhead Road, 290+ electric buses.
View Coventry Guide โ๐ Southampton Air Quality
PM2.5 3-4 ยตg/mยณ (Good). M27, M3, Port pollution data, Millbrook Road hotspot monitoring.
View Southampton Guide โ๐ Portsmouth Air Quality
Class B Clean Air Zone (4% reduction). A3 Alfred Road, Hope Street, M27 pollution data.
View Portsmouth Guide โ๐ Bradford Air Quality
CAZ success: 36โ4 NO2 violations. 400 diffusion tubes. Queens Road compliant.
View Bradford Guide โ๐ Wolverhampton Air Quality
West Midlands 90-sensor network. Clean Air Plan alternative to CAZ.
View Wolverhampton Guide โ๐ Plymouth Air Quality
AQMA revoked Oct 31 2024. All air quality objectives met. South Coast city.
View Plymouth Guide โ๐ Brighton Air Quality
50 real-time sensors (Oct 2024). Vogue Gyratory 54โ37 ยตg/mยณ. WHO guidelines 2026.
View Brighton Guide โ๐ Oxford Air Quality
UK's first Zero Emission Zone (2022). 52% NO2 drop since 2013. 159 electric buses.
View Oxford Guide โ๐ Cambridge Air Quality
AQMA revoked Jan 2025 after 5 years compliant. Working toward WHO 15 ยตg/mยณ.
View Cambridge Guide โ๐ Reading Air Quality
M4 corridor impact monitoring. Traffic management approach. No CAZ.
View Reading Guide โ๐ Derby Air Quality
Rejected CAZ for traffic flow improvements. 2025 Action Plan review.
View Derby Guide โ๐ Stoke-on-Trent Air Quality
CAZ C proposed 2024. M6 corridor impact. Charges commercial vehicles only.
View Stoke-on-Trent Guide โ๐ Sunderland Air Quality
NO AQMA ever declared. 8โ0 sites exceeded 30 ยตg/mยณ. Bridge Street 21.5 ยตg/mยณ.
View Sunderland Guide โ๐ Hull Air Quality
90 NO2 diffusion tubes. 128 deaths annually (historical worst). No CAZ.
View Hull Guide โ๐ Luton Air Quality
3 AQMAs. M1 Junction 11 monitoring. Luton Airport traffic impact.
View Luton Guide โ๐ Preston Air Quality
Lancashire AURN network. NOx and particulates tracking. No CAZ.
View Preston Guide โ๐ Milton Keynes Air Quality
PM2.5 15.0 ยตg/mยณ (2.4ร WHO). Cranfield Zephyr sensors in green spaces.
View Milton Keynes Guide โ๐ Aberdeen Air Quality
LEZ enforced June 1 2024. ยฃ60 fines. Union Street city centre coverage.
View Aberdeen Guide โ๐ Dundee Air Quality
LEZ operational. Seagate 43.9 ยตg/mยณ, Lochee Road 42.5 ยตg/mยณ. NO2 decreasing.
View Dundee Guide โ๐ Swansea Air Quality
Wales' best: only zone meeting 40 ยตg/mยณ NO2 (2020). PM2.5 4-6 ยตg/mยณ.
View Swansea Guide โ๐ Peterborough Air Quality
AQMA for SO2 (2007). Brickworks at Whittlesey. PM2.5 meets WHO.
View Peterborough Guide โ๐ York Air Quality
Historic city. No CAZ. Diesel buses primary contributor. AQI 33 (Good).
View York Guide โ๐ Lancaster Air Quality
Hazelrigg Lancaster University monitoring station. Lancashire network.
View Lancaster Guide โ๐ Exeter Air Quality
Generally compliant. Action plan 2018-2024 with 17 measures complete.
View Exeter Guide โ๐ Northampton Air Quality
7 AQMAs for NO2. 51 electric buses. Action Plan Sept 2024 (DEFRA-approved).
View Northampton Guide โ๐ Norwich Air Quality
PM2.5 4 ยตg/mยณ. Lakenfields DEFRA AURN station. AQI 22-37 (Good).
View Norwich Guide โ๐ Ipswich Air Quality
2 AQMAs revoked (No.4 Aug 2021, No.1 Jan 2025). 4 AQMAs still active.
View Ipswich Guide โ๐ Gloucester Air Quality
3 AQMAs: Barton St (2005), Priory Rd (2005), Painswick Rd (2007). Improving since 2013.
View Gloucester Guide โLondon Boroughs
Check air quality for 10 London boroughs including pollution hotspots, ULEZ impact, and Clean Air Zone data.
๐ Westminster Air Quality
Oxford Street (world's worst NO2), Marylebone Road, Park Lane. Central London ULEZ zone data.
View Westminster Guide โ๐ Tower Hamlets Air Quality
Canary Wharf, Blackwall Tunnel, A13 (52% HGV emissions). 40% pollution reduction since 2019.
View Tower Hamlets Guide โ๐ Camden Air Quality
Euston Road (82.3 ยตg/mยณ NO2), King's Cross, 321 monitoring sites. 43% NO2 reduction since 2018.
View Camden Guide โ๐ Islington Air Quality
Holloway Road, Upper Street, Angel, Old Street. 140+ monitoring sites across borough.
View Islington Guide โ๐ Hackney Air Quality
Mare Street, A12, Olympic Park area. 6 automatic stations, NO2 decreasing steadily.
View Hackney Guide โ๐ Lambeth Air Quality
Brixton Road (London's worst at 62.8 ยตg/mยณ), Vauxhall, A23, A3. 100+ deaths annually.
View Lambeth Guide โ๐ Southwark Air Quality
London Bridge, Old Kent Road, Elephant & Castle, A2. 1,620 disease cases from pollution.
View Southwark Guide โ๐ Newham Air Quality
Stratford, A13 (52% HGV emissions), Olympic Park. 3 km cycling infrastructure.
View Newham Guide โ๐ Wandsworth Air Quality
Clapham Junction (meets UK objectives), Putney (40% reduction), South Circular. Major improvement.
View Wandsworth Guide โ๐ Greenwich Air Quality
Blackwall Tunnel (3 internal monitors), A2, Woolwich, Silvertown Tunnel impact (opened Apr 2025).
View Greenwich Guide โLondon Postcode Districts
Hyper-local air quality data for specific London postcode areas including pollution hotspots, traffic impact, and ULEZ compliance.
๐ SW1 Westminster Air Quality
Victoria Station, Westminster Abbey, Pimlico. 49% NO2 reduction since 2016, ULEZ enforcement.
View SW1 Guide โ๐ E14 Canary Wharf Air Quality
Canary Wharf, Limehouse, Poplar. 40% pollution reduction since 2019, Blackwall Tunnel monitors.
View E14 Guide โ๐ W1 West End Air Quality
Oxford Street, Marylebone Road (4ร EU limit historical), Piccadilly Circus. 49% NO2 reduction.
View W1 Guide โ๐ NW1 Camden Air Quality
Euston Road (46 ยตg/mยณ), King's Cross, St Pancras. 130 monitoring sites, 43% NO2 reduction.
View NW1 Guide โ๐ SE1 Southwark Air Quality
London Bridge, Waterloo, Old Kent Road. 49% NO2 reduction since 2016.
View SE1 Guide โ๐ N1 Islington Air Quality
Angel, Hoxton, Holloway Road. 140+ monitoring sites. 49% NO2 reduction.
View N1 Guide โ๐ EC1 Clerkenwell Air Quality
Farringdon, Barbican, Smithfield. Central London 49% NO2 reduction.
View EC1 Guide โUK City Postcode Districts
City centre air quality data for major UK cities with Clean Air Zones, Low Emission Zones, and NO2 compliance tracking.
๐ M1 Manchester City Centre
Clean Air Plan (no charging zone). 38 NO2 sites (from 129 in 2019).
View M1 Guide โ๐ B1 Birmingham City Centre
CAZ operational. 36โ4 NO2 violations. Clean Air Zone enforced.
View B1 Guide โ๐ G1 Glasgow City Centre
LEZ enforced June 2024. Scotland's largest city monitoring network.
View G1 Guide โ๐ LS1 Leeds City Centre
CAZ operational since 2021. Ongoing NO2 reduction progress.
View LS1 Guide โ๐ L1 Liverpool City Centre
~1,200 deaths annually from pollution. Active monitoring network.
View L1 Guide โ๐ EH1 Edinburgh City Centre
LEZ enforced June 2024. Scotland's capital air quality monitoring.
View EH1 Guide โMajor Towns & Suburbs
Air quality monitoring for major London suburbs and surrounding towns.
๐ Croydon Air Quality
15.3% NOx reduction (biggest in London). ULEZ expansion impact. Population 397,741.
View Croydon Guide โ๐ Harrow Air Quality
15.2% NOx reduction (top 5 London). ULEZ expansion benefit. Population 264,000.
View Harrow Guide โ๐ Watford Air Quality
11 monitoring sites. M1/A41 traffic impact. Population 102,246.
View Watford Guide โ๐ Slough Air Quality
M4 corridor impact. 5 AQMAs. Active monitoring network.
View Slough Guide โ๐ Basildon Air Quality
A127/A13 major routes. Essex monitoring network. Population 115,955.
View Basildon Guide โ๐ Crawley Air Quality
Gatwick Airport impact. M23 corridor. 5 automatic monitoring stations.
View Crawley Guide โ๐ Southend-on-Sea Air Quality
A127 corridor. Coastal town. 8 monitoring locations. Population 295,310.
View Southend Guide โ๐ Bromley Air Quality
Outer London ULEZ expansion benefit. A21/A232 monitoring. Population 331,096.
View Bromley Guide โ๐ Enfield Air Quality
North London ULEZ expansion benefit. A10/M25 corridor. Population 333,794.
View Enfield Guide โโ Air Quality UK FAQs
How do I check air quality in the UK?
Use our free real-time air quality monitor above to check current air quality near you in the UK. Simply click "Check Your Air Quality Now" and allow location access. You'll see live PM2.5 levels, Universal AQI, UK DAQI (Daily Air Quality Index), and health recommendations powered by Google Air Quality API.
What is a good air quality level in the UK?
According to UK DEFRA standards: PM2.5 below 12 ฮผg/mยณ is excellent, 12-35 ฮผg/mยณ is good, 36-53 ฮผg/mยณ is moderate. Universal AQI below 50 is good, 51-100 is moderate. The UK Daily Air Quality Index (DAQI) ranges 1-10, with 1-3 being low pollution and 7-10 being very high.
What is PM2.5 and why does it matter?
PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometres - about 3% the width of a human hair. These tiny particles penetrate deep into lungs and bloodstream, causing asthma, heart disease, and respiratory problems. WHO recommends PM2.5 levels below 5 ฮผg/mยณ annually. UK average is ~10 ฮผg/mยณ, but London often exceeds 15 ฮผg/mยณ.
How can I improve indoor air quality in the UK?
Use MERV air purifiers to remove 99.97% of PM2.5 and pollutants. Aim for 5-6 air changes per hour (ACH) in bedrooms and living spaces. Open windows when outdoor air quality is good (check with our monitor above). DIY Corsi-Rosenthal Boxes cost ยฃ50-100 and deliver 1,000+ mยณ/h CADR. Avoid indoor pollution sources like candles, incense, cooking fumes.
What is the DEFRA air quality index?
The DEFRA UK Daily Air Quality Index (DAQI) is the official UK government air pollution scale, rating air quality 1-10. It measures five pollutants: ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), PM2.5, and PM10. DAQI 1-3 = Low, 4-6 = Moderate, 7-9 = High, 10 = Very High. Our monitor shows both DAQI and Universal AQI for comparison.
When is air quality worst in the UK?
UK air quality is typically worst during: morning/evening rush hours (7-9am, 5-7pm) from traffic pollution, winter months due to heating emissions and temperature inversions, hot summer days when ozone forms, and during Saharan dust events (March-May). London, Birmingham, Manchester experience worst pollution. Check our real-time monitor to avoid outdoor activity during poor air quality.
๐ Protect Your Health with MERV Air Purifiers
If your air quality monitor shows elevated PM2.5 or poor AQI, a MERV air purifier can reduce indoor pollution by 60-95%. Perfect for UK homes facing traffic fumes, pollen, mould, or wildfire smoke.
DIY Solutions (ยฃ50-100)
- โ Corsi-Rosenthal Box (1,000+ mยณ/h CADR)
- โ 15-45 minute build time
- โ UK parts from Screwfix, Toolstation
PC Fan Build (Energy Star 2026 certified, use special code at checkout)
ยฃ150-200
- โ Ultra-quiet 30-37dB (bedroom-friendly)
- โ 525+ mยณ/h CADR
- โ Energy efficient: 11W = ยฃ23/year
- โ CleanAirKits Luggables XL recommended