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Billings air right now

GoodAQI 22

Billings’s five-day smoke forecast shows the current index and the clearest time ahead.

22
AQI now
4
PM2.5 · µg/m³
Look farther for cleaner air

Where are you?

Search covers Canada and the United States.

The better move within a 3-hour drive

Dates

Dates follow you into hotel searches. Live inventory is confirmed by the provider.

You may already have the cleanest nearby air.No meaningfully cleaner place has a verified road route within 3 hours. Widen the range or show worse air for context.

Every town is also available in the ranked list.
Billings Clean · PM2.5 0–5 Good · 5–9 Elevated · 9–15 Polluted · 15–35 Unhealthy · 35–55 Severe · 55+
Top pick
Red Lodge
Cel-shaded illustration of Red Lodge
AQI 16
#1Red LodgeChecking road route

Montana· Good

Montana community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 2.8 µg/m³ here vs 4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2.8/22 × 7 = 0.9 here; 4/22 × 7 = 1.3 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
30% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:27 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Red Lodge
Cel-shaded illustration of Red Lodge
AQI 16
#2Red Lodge~1 h 25 min drive

Montana· Good

Historic town near 5,600 feet at the foot of the Beartooths, gateway to the high Beartooth Highway, with inns and lodges.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 2.8 µg/m³ here vs 4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2.8/22 × 7 = 0.9 here; 4/22 × 7 = 1.3 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
30% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:12 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Roundup
Cel-shaded illustration of Roundup
AQI 18
#3RoundupChecking road route

Montana· Good

Montana community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 3.3 µg/m³ here vs 4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 3.3/22 × 7 = 1.1 here; 4/22 × 7 = 1.3 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
18% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:27 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Laurel
Cel-shaded illustration of Laurel
AQI 22
#4LaurelChecking road route

Montana· Good

Montana community with lodging and a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 4 µg/m³ here vs 4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 4/22 × 7 = 1.3 here; 4/22 × 7 = 1.3 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
0% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Billings monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Columbus
Cel-shaded illustration of Columbus
AQI unavailable
#5ColumbusChecking road route

Montana

Montana community with a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Hardin
Cel-shaded illustration of Hardin
AQI unavailable
#6HardinChecking road route

Montana

Montana community with a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Absarokee
Cel-shaded illustration of Absarokee
AQI unavailable
#7AbsarokeeChecking road route

Montana

Montana community with a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Lovell
Cel-shaded illustration of Lovell
AQI unavailable
#8LovellChecking road route

Wyoming

Wyoming community with a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Big Timber
Cel-shaded illustration of Big Timber
AQI unavailable
#9Big TimberChecking road route

Montana

Montana community with a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Powell
Cel-shaded illustration of Powell
AQI unavailable
#10PowellChecking road route

Wyoming

Wyoming community with a separate live air reading for regional smoke comparisons.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Cooke City
Cel-shaded illustration of Cooke City
AQI 12
#11Cooke CityChecking road route

Montana· Good

Remote mountain town near 7,600 feet at Yellowstone's northeast entrance, with thin high-country air.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 2.2 µg/m³ here vs 4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2.2/22 × 7 = 0.7 here; 4/22 × 7 = 1.3 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
45% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:27 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Sheridan
Cel-shaded illustration of Sheridan
AQI 20
#12SheridanChecking road route

Wyoming· Good

Bighorn Mountains foothills city in northern Wyoming, with a broad hotel base and cooler ridge-edge air.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 3.6 µg/m³ here vs 4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 3.6/22 × 7 = 1.1 here; 4/22 × 7 = 1.3 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
10% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 4:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Sheridan PD monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Cody
Cel-shaded illustration of Cody
AQI 23
#13Cody~2 h 5 min drive

Wyoming· Good

Old-West town near 5,000 feet at Yellowstone's east approach, high and dry on Wyoming's Absaroka front, with hotels and lodges.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 4.1 µg/m³ here vs 4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 4.1/22 × 7 = 1.3 here; 4/22 × 7 = 1.3 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
2% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 4:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Cody SLAMS monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Livingston
Cel-shaded illustration of Livingston
AQI 62
#14LivingstonChecking road route

Montana· Moderate

Yellowstone River gateway town at the mouth of Paradise Valley, with cool high-plains mountain air.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 15 µg/m³ here vs 4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 15/22 × 7 = 4.8 here; 4/22 × 7 = 1.3 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Billings

275% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 4:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Bozeman EBAM monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Bozeman
Cel-shaded illustration of Bozeman
AQI 62
#15Bozeman~2 h 30 min drive

Montana· Moderate

A major Montana city with broad lodging options and live air-quality readings for comparison when smoke shifts across the region.

Worse air than home. Don't bother.

PM2.5 is 15 µg/m³ here vs 4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 15/22 × 7 = 4.8 here; 4/22 × 7 = 1.3 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

Air is currently worse here than in Billings

275% worse airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 4:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Bozeman EBAM monitor.

Directions
West Yellowstone
Cel-shaded illustration of West Yellowstone
AQI 0
#16West Yellowstone~4 h 20 min drive

Montana· Good

Park-gateway town near 6,700 feet at Yellowstone's west entrance, high and dry on the Continental Divide, with plentiful motels.

100% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 0 µg/m³ here vs 4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0/22 × 7 = 0 here; 4/22 × 7 = 1.3 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

4 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Billings right now

100% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Yellowstone- Old Faithful Snow Lodge monitor.

Directions
Pinedale
Cel-shaded illustration of Pinedale
AQI 3
#17PinedaleChecking road route

Wyoming· Good

Wind River Range gateway near 7,200 feet, a wilderness-trailhead base with cool high-country air.

85% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 0.6 µg/m³ here vs 4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0.6/22 × 7 = 0.2 here; 4/22 × 7 = 1.3 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

3.4 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Billings right now

85% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 4:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Pinedale Gaseous monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Saratoga
Cel-shaded illustration of Saratoga
AQI 7
#18SaratogaChecking road route

Wyoming· Good

North Platte River hot-springs town in the Snowy Range foothills, a remote high-plains lodge base.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 1.2 µg/m³ here vs 4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1.2/22 × 7 = 0.4 here; 4/22 × 7 = 1.3 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

2.8 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Billings right now

70% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:27 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Vernal
Cel-shaded illustration of Vernal
AQI 10
#19VernalChecking road route

Utah· Good

Uinta Basin gateway town to Dinosaur National Monument, remote from urban sources with motels.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 1.8 µg/m³ here vs 4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1.8/22 × 7 = 0.6 here; 4/22 × 7 = 1.3 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

2.2 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Billings right now

55% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 from the Vernal #4 monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Dubois
Cel-shaded illustration of Dubois
AQI 11
#20DuboisChecking road route

Wyoming· Good

Remote red-rock town near 6,900 feet on the road to Yellowstone's east side, with dry mountain air.

About the same air — still smoky.

PM2.5 is 2 µg/m³ here vs 4 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2/22 × 7 = 0.6 here; 4/22 × 7 = 1.3 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
50% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

Observed Aug 23, 6:27 p.m. EDT

PM2.5 is estimated for this town.

Directions
Bad week ahead? Check the 7-day outlook — if it won’t clear, book the trip

7-day outlook

Plan the next seven days

Pick a day, or compare the whole week. Weather is forecast; air quality is the latest available reading.

Loading the week…

Finding the nicest days and reachable cities.

Observed Aug 23, 5:00 p.m. EDTLast scan Aug 23, 6:27 p.m. EDT · 49 min ago

Why live rankings? Smoke plumes are patchy and shift with the wind, so no direction is reliably cleaner. This list is recalculated from live PM2.5 every hour — and if everything nearby is smoky, it says so.

How we work this out →

Browse all 200 cities by province & state →

More air-quality pages in Montana →
Bozeman air qualityMissoula air quality
Air quality in nearby cities →
Rapid City air qualityMedicine Hat air qualityLethbridge air qualityOgden air qualityRegina air qualitySalt Lake City air qualityFort Collins air qualityBoise air qualityProvo air qualityBoulder air qualitySpokane air qualityCalgary air quality

What this means · Billings

Good

AQI 22

AQI = Air Quality Index

Typical person. Air quality is satisfactory for most outdoor plans.

Kids, seniors, heart or lung conditions. Unusually sensitive people can still enjoy the outdoors.

The AQI on this page follows fine particles (PM2.5). Particles here are 4 µg/m³ (Clean), so the headline and the particle scale below tell the same story.

Act two · Fine particles only

Where PM2.5 lands

This bar is smoke and fine particles (PM2.5) only. Left is cleaner air; right is heavier particle pollution. Today's particles sit in Clean.

4 µg/m³
Clean · 0Smoky · 40Severe · 80+

Act three · Particle ladder

What each PM2.5 rung feels like

  • 0–3µg/m³Natural. About as clean as outdoor air realistically gets.
  • 3–5µg/m³Clean. Crisp, destination-worthy air.
  • 5–9µg/m³Good. Clean city air; most people will not notice anything today.
  • 9–15µg/m³Elevated. Usually no big deal today; sensitive lungs may notice hard exercise.
  • 15–35µg/m³Polluted. Smoke or traffic pollution is now worth acting on.
  • 35–55µg/m³Unhealthy. Symptoms become more likely, especially with asthma or heart disease.
  • 55+µg/m³Severe. Everyone should reduce exposure and clean the indoor air.

Act four · Felt number

Cigarettes a week

A secondary feel for the particle load only — not a medical claim, and not a substitute for AQI.

1.3/wk

What is PM2.5?

Fine particles about 30× thinner than a human hair — small enough to slip through your lungs and into your bloodstream. We measure them inµg/m³: micrograms of particle mass in a cubic metre of air.

The math

PM2.5 here is 4 µg/m³.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at this level: 4/22 × 7 = 1.3 cigarettes.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
See the full method →