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Columbus air right now

ModerateAQI 57

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

57
AQI now
12.1
PM2.5 · µg/m³
3 cleaner spots within 3 hr drive

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.

Hocking Hills looks like the better move.75% cleaner air with a verified 1 h 20 min road trip. Rankings balance cleaner air with trip ease.

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

Ohio· Good

Heart of Ohio's Amish Country in Holmes County, a rolling-farmland base with inns and B&Bs.

78% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 2.7 µg/m³ here vs 12.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2.7/22 × 7 = 0.9 here; 12.1/22 × 7 = 3.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

9.4 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Columbus right now

78% 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
Hocking Hills
Cel-shaded illustration of Hocking Hills
AQI 17
#2Hocking Hills~1 h 20 min drive

Ohio· Good

Forested hills-and-gorge region of southeast Ohio around Logan, a cool wooded reset with cabins and lodges.

75% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 3 µg/m³ here vs 12.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 3/22 × 7 = 1.0 here; 12.1/22 × 7 = 3.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

9.1 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Columbus right now

75% 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
Dayton
Cel-shaded illustration of Dayton
AQI 39
#3Dayton~1 h 25 min drive

Ohio· Good

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

41% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 7.1 µg/m³ here vs 12.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 7.1/22 × 7 = 2.3 here; 12.1/22 × 7 = 3.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

5 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Columbus right now

41% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Sinclair monitor.

Directions
Springfield
Cel-shaded illustration of Springfield
AQI 40
#4SpringfieldChecking road route

Ohio· Good

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

40% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 7.2 µg/m³ here vs 12.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 7.2/22 × 7 = 2.3 here; 12.1/22 × 7 = 3.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

4.9 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Columbus right now

40% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 from the Springfield Fire St1 monitor.

Directions
Still smoky
Groveport
Cel-shaded illustration of Groveport
AQI unavailable
#5GroveportChecking road route

Ohio

Ohio community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Worthington
Cel-shaded illustration of Worthington
AQI unavailable
#6WorthingtonChecking road route

Ohio

Ohio community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Hilliard
Cel-shaded illustration of Hilliard
AQI unavailable
#7HilliardChecking road route

Ohio

Ohio community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Huber Ridge
Cel-shaded illustration of Huber Ridge
AQI unavailable
#8Huber RidgeChecking road route

Ohio

Ohio community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Reynoldsburg
Cel-shaded illustration of Reynoldsburg
AQI unavailable
#9ReynoldsburgChecking road route

Ohio

Ohio community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Dublin
Cel-shaded illustration of Dublin
AQI unavailable
#10DublinChecking road route

Ohio

Ohio community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Westerville
Cel-shaded illustration of Westerville
AQI unavailable
#11WestervilleChecking road route

Ohio

Ohio community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Directions
Still smoky
Lake Darby
Cel-shaded illustration of Lake Darby
AQI unavailable
#12Lake DarbyChecking road route

Ohio

Ohio community with a cached air reading available when it appears in a nearby escape search.

Air comparison pending.

Air comparison pendingChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

PM2.5 is modelled for this town.

Directions
Decatur
Cel-shaded illustration of Decatur
AQI 11
#13DecaturChecking road route

Indiana· Good

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

84% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 1.9 µg/m³ here vs 12.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 1.9/22 × 7 = 0.6 here; 12.1/22 × 7 = 3.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

10.2 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Columbus right now

84% 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
Sandusky
Cel-shaded illustration of Sandusky
AQI 14
#14SanduskyChecking road route

Ohio· Good

Lake Erie port city and gateway to the Lake Erie islands, with bayfront hotels and open-lake air.

79% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 2.6 µg/m³ here vs 12.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2.6/22 × 7 = 0.8 here; 12.1/22 × 7 = 3.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

9.5 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Columbus right now

79% 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
Marblehead
Cel-shaded illustration of Marblehead
AQI 14
#15MarbleheadChecking road route

Ohio· Good

Lake Erie peninsula town with a historic lighthouse, swept by open-lake air, with waterfront motels.

79% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 2.6 µg/m³ here vs 12.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2.6/22 × 7 = 0.8 here; 12.1/22 × 7 = 3.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

9.5 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Columbus right now

79% 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
Kelleys Island
Cel-shaded illustration of Kelleys Island
AQI 14
#16Kelleys IslandChecking road route

Ohio· Good

Quiet Lake Erie island east of Put-in-Bay, surrounded by open water, with cottages and small inns.

79% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 2.6 µg/m³ here vs 12.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2.6/22 × 7 = 0.8 here; 12.1/22 × 7 = 3.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

9.5 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Columbus right now

79% 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
Port Clinton
Cel-shaded illustration of Port Clinton
AQI 14
#17Port Clinton~2 h 55 min drive

Ohio· Good

Lake Erie harbour town and jumping-off point for the islands, swept by open-lake air, with waterfront motels and rentals.

79% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 2.6 µg/m³ here vs 12.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 2.6/22 × 7 = 0.8 here; 12.1/22 × 7 = 3.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

9.5 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Columbus right now

79% 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
Lion's Head
Cel-shaded illustration of Lion's Head
AQI 0
#18Lion's HeadChecking road route

Ontario· Good

Bruce Peninsula village on a limestone-cliff harbour, wrapped in open Georgian Bay air.

100% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 0 µg/m³ here vs 12.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0/22 × 7 = 0 here; 12.1/22 × 7 = 3.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

12.1 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Columbus right now

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

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

PM2.5 is estimated for this town. No AQHI station is close enough.

Directions
Midland
Cel-shaded illustration of Midland
AQI 1
#19MidlandChecking road route

Ontario· Good

Harbour town on Georgian Bay’s 30,000 Islands shore, with bay cruises and shoreline trails.

98% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 0.2 µg/m³ here vs 12.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0.2/22 × 7 = 0.1 here; 12.1/22 × 7 = 3.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

11.9 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Columbus right now

98% 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
Thornbury
Cel-shaded illustration of Thornbury
AQI 2
#20ThornburyChecking road route

Ontario· Good

Georgian Bay apple-country village near Collingwood, with a walkable harbourfront and bay air.

98% cleaner than home — pack the car.

PM2.5 is 0.3 µg/m³ here vs 12.1 back home.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at these levels: 0.3/22 × 7 = 0.1 here; 12.1/22 × 7 = 3.8 at home.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →

11.8 µg/m³ less fine-particle pollution than Columbus right now

98% cleaner airChecking trip easeChecking nearby staysChecking today's weather

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

PM2.5 is estimated for this town. No AQHI station is close enough.

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 Ohio →
Akron air qualityCanton air qualityCincinnati air qualityCleveland air qualityDayton air qualityToledo air qualityYoungstown air quality
Air quality in nearby cities →
Fort Wayne air qualityLexington air qualityPittsburgh air qualityWindsor air qualityDetroit air qualityIndianapolis air qualityLouisville air qualityErie air qualityLondon air qualityGrand Rapids air qualityBrantford air qualityKitchener-Waterloo air quality

What this means · Columbus

Moderate

AQI 57

AQI = Air Quality Index

Typical person. Most people can stay active outside.

Kids, seniors, heart or lung conditions. Unusually sensitive people should consider shorter or easier outdoor effort.

The AQI on this page follows fine particles (PM2.5). Particles here are 12.1 µg/m³ (Elevated), 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 Elevated.

12.1 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.

3.8/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 12.1 µg/m³.Berkeley Earth: 22 µg/m³ for 24 h ≈ 1 cigarette.A week at this level: 12.1/22 × 7 = 3.8 cigarettes.A long-term health-risk equivalence, not literal smoking.See how we work it out →
See the full method →