Malaysia air quality index today

• Selangor75
• Kuala Lumpur73
• Kelantan70
• Perak70
• Johor65
• Negeri Sembilan65
• Penang65
• Putrajaya63
• Pahang61
• Sabah60
• Sarawak57
• Terengganu55
• Kedah53
• Labuan46
• Perlis41

Short explanations of the API, haze, and what to do about it.

• What is the API, and what do the numbers mean?The Air Pollutant Index is published hourly by Malaysia's Department of Environment. Here is what each band means and what to do at each one.2 min read
• What API closes schools in Malaysia? The number that decidesSince October 2026, schools close when the API goes above 180, or stays above 150 for three days in a row. When outdoor activity stops, who makes the call, and where the official word appears.2 min read
• N95 masks for haze: how to choose one and wear itWhy cloth and surgical masks do not help in haze, what makes an N95 different, and why fit matters more than the brand on the box.2 min read

• Good

  0–50
• Moderate

  51–100
• Unhealthy

  101–200
• Very Unhealthy

  201–300
• Hazardous

  301–500
• Emergency

  500+

Common questions

Is IPU the same as API?

Yes, it is the same number. IPU is the Malay abbreviation, for Indeks Pencemar Udara, and API the English one, for Air Pollutant Index. The Department of Environment uses both for the same 0 to 500 scale.

What is the API?

The Air Pollutant Index (API) is the 0 to 500 scale used by Malaysia's Department of Environment. 0 to 50 is good, 51 to 100 moderate, 101 to 200 unhealthy, 201 to 300 very unhealthy, and above 300 hazardous. It is set by the pollutant with the highest sub-index, which during haze is almost always PM2.5.

Where do these readings come from?

Readings come straight from the Department of Environment's Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), every hour. They are the same official values APIMS publishes. Each city here is represented by one station, so another part of the same city can read differently.

How often is it updated?

Every hour. The last update time is shown at the top of the page. If the data is older than an hour, a notice appears.

What API level closes schools?

Since October 2026, every Ministry of Education institution in an affected area closes when the API goes above 180, or stays above 150 for three days in a row. Before that the level was 200. Outdoor activity, sport and assemblies stop earlier, above 100. The order comes from the Ministry or the State Education Department, so confirm with the official announcement.

Why do other apps show a different number?

Most international apps show the US AQI, not Malaysia's API. The tables differ, and some apps show an hourly value rather than the 24-hour average, so the same concentration can produce two very different numbers. SemakAPI shows the Department of Environment's official API.

When is haze season in Malaysia?

The worst window is July to October, during the southwest monsoon, when regional forest and peatland fires peak. February to April is the second risky window, usually more local and on the Peninsula's west coast. El Niño years are usually worse.