# What do the Numbers on the PurpleAir Map Mean? **URL:** \ **Category:** Real-Time Map\ **Created:** [June 3, 2022, 4:12pm UTC](https://community.purpleair.com/t/what-do-the-numbers-on-the-purpleair-map-mean/812 "2022-06-03T16:12:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PurpleAir](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/community.purpleair.com/purpleair/32/176_2.png) [@PurpleAir](https://community.purpleair.com/u/PurpleAir)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2022, 4:12pm UTC](https://community.purpleair.com/t/what-do-the-numbers-on-the-purpleair-map-mean/812/1 "2022-06-03T16:12:54Z")
The default display on the [PurpleAir map](https://map.purpleair.com) is the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) [Air Quality Index (AQI)](https://community.purpleair.com/t/air-quality-index-aqi/111) scale for PM2.5. The AQI allows comparison for different pollutants with an easy-to-visualize color scheme. Hovering over the color scale bar in the map legend reveals a description of each data range. The graphs give further information on different counts, relative weights and sizes of particles in the air. * * * ## Learn More [PurpleAir Map Guide](https://community.purpleair.com/t/purpleair-map-guide/90) [How to use the Map Graph](https://community.purpleair.com/t/how-to-use-the-map-graph/1122) [Map Troubleshooting Guide](https://community.purpleair.com/t/map-troubleshooting-guide/7192) ---
**Author:** ![Amanda\_Hawkins](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/community.purpleair.com/amanda_hawkins/32/179_2.png) [@Amanda\_Hawkins](https://community.purpleair.com/u/Amanda_Hawkins)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2022, 12:07am UTC](https://community.purpleair.com/t/what-do-the-numbers-on-the-purpleair-map-mean/812/2 "2022-06-17T00:07:41Z")
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**Author:** ![Amanda\_Hawkins](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/community.purpleair.com/amanda_hawkins/32/179_2.png) [@Amanda\_Hawkins](https://community.purpleair.com/u/Amanda_Hawkins)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2022, 7:04pm UTC](https://community.purpleair.com/t/what-do-the-numbers-on-the-purpleair-map-mean/812/3 "2022-08-15T19:04:27Z")