Use and Care of Masks

Wear a mask with the best fit, protection, and comfort for you

When to Wear a Mask or Respirator

Layered prevention strategies — like staying up to date on vaccines and wearing masks — can help prevent severe illness and reduce the potential for strain on the healthcare system. Wear a mask with the best fit, protection, and comfort for you.

Know the COVID-19 Community Level where you live

COVID-19 Community Levels are a tool to help communities decide what prevention steps to take based on the latest data.

Low

• Wear a mask based on your personal preference, informed by your personal level of risk

Medium

• If you are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe illness
  • Talk to your healthcare provider about additional precautions, such as wearing masks or respirators indoors in public
• If you live with or have social contact with someone at high risk for severe illness, consider testing yourself for infection before you get together and wearing a mask when indoors with them.

High

• Wear a well-fitting mask indoors in public, regardless of vaccination status or individual risk (including in K-12 schools and other community settings)
• If you are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe illness
  • Wear a mask or respirator that provides you with greater protection

You may choose to wear a mask or respirator that offers greater protection in certain situations, such as when you are with people at higher risk for severe illness, or if you are at higher risk for severe illness.

It is important to wear a mask or respirator when you are sick or caring for someone who is sick with COVID-19. When caring for someone who is sick with COVID-19, a respirator will provide you the best level of protection.

To fight the spread of COVID-19, many places now require people to wear face masks. But the advice on wearing them has changed over the course of the pandemic. This has led some people to question: Do face masks even protect against COVID-19?

“Yes, absolutely,” says Dr. Adriaan Bax, a biophysicist at NIH. He has been testing how well different types of masks work. Masks, he explains, can help stop the spread of COVID-19 for a few reasons.

First, masks can trap fluid droplets that exit the mouth while you’re speaking. If you have COVID-19, these droplets contain virus that can be inhaled by others.

Bax and his colleagues have shown that just by talking, a person produces thousands of these little droplets every second. Speaking loudly or singing produces even more droplets.

Stopping droplets at the source is the easiest way to prevent the virus from spreading through the air. Wearing a mask can play a crucial role. Bax and colleagues have found that even a simple cloth mask can stop nearly all droplets produced during speech.

After droplets leave someone’s mouth, the water in them quickly evaporates. This causes the droplets to shrink. These shrunken droplets are called aerosols. They can float in the air for anywhere from minutes to hours. Once the virus is carried in such tiny aerosols, it becomes more difficult to stop.

Masks can also help protect the people wearing them. Studies have found that NIOSH-approved N95 or KN95 masks block aerosols from entering the airway very effectively. Surgical and cloth masks are less effective, but they still provide some protection. How well they work depends on the number of layers, choice of materials, and whether they’re worn properly.

Even if a mask doesn’t block all of the aerosols, it may still protect the wearer against severe disease. Severe COVID-19 tends to occur when virus gets into the lower airway and the lungs.

Wearing a mask may help the body clear out virus from the lower airway before it reaches the lungs. This is because, as Bax’s team has shown, wearing a mask traps the moisture that would otherwise escape when you exhale. This raises the amount of moisture in your airways (or the humidity).

Moisture is essential to promote the natural clearance process of the airways. This helps keep the lungs free of contamination by dust, pollutants, and viruses. Masks may aid this process by raising the humidity.

“Some may find wearing a mask uncomfortable, especially on hot and humid days. This is largely because of the humidifying effect. But this drawback is very minor compared to the benefit that masks offer,” says Bax.

For most people, cloth masks and surgical masks don’t interfere with normal breathing. Oxygen and carbon dioxide are much smaller than the respiratory droplets that carry the virus and pass easily through masks.

Masks work best when we all wear them. But with any mask, not all virus particles are blocked. That’s why it’s still important to stay a distance from others, generally about six feet. For tips on wearing masks, see the Wise Choices box.

And remember: Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others from the virus.

Tips for Wearing Masks

• Choose masks with two or more layers of fabric. A well-fitted N95 respirator provides the most protection.
• Avoid masks with exhalation valves, vents, or other openings.
• Be sure your mask covers both your nose and your mouth.
• Be sure that your mask fits snugly against the sides of your face.
• Wash reusable masks every day or whenever they get dirty. If you have a disposable face mask, throw it away after wearing.
• For teachers and other people whose jobs require lots of speaking, consider using a voice amplifier (which can be found online), so you can be better heard while wearing a mask.
• To stay up-to-date on mask guidance, visit the CDC’s website.

People at higher risk for severe illness

Some people are more likely to become very sick with COVID-19

• People who are older
• People with certain medical conditions
• Pregnant and recently pregnant people

People at increased risk, and those who live with or visit them, should

• Talk to their healthcare provider about whether they and the people around them should wear a mask or respirator when the COVID-19 Community Level is medium.
• Wear a mask or respirator that provides them with greater protection when the COVID-19 Community Level is high

Children ages 2 years and older can wear masks or respirators to protect themselves and others from COVID-19.

Choose a well-fitting and comfortable mask or respirator that your child can wear properly. A poorly fitting or uncomfortable mask or respirator might be worn incorrectly or removed often, and that would reduce its intended benefits.

• Choose a size that fits over the child’s nose and under the chin but does not impair vision.
• Follow the user instructions for the mask or respirator. These instructions may show how to make sure the product fits properly.
• Some types of masks and respirators may feel different if your child is used to wearing cloth or disposable procedure masks.

Parents and caregivers may have questions about NIOSH-approved respirators (such as N95s), and international respirators (such as KN95s and KF94s) for children. Although respirators may be available in smaller sizes, they are typically designed to be used by adults in workplaces, and therefore may not have been tested for broad use in children.

Safety precautions

• If your child has a medical condition, such as a heart or lung problem, ask their healthcare provider before they use methods to improve mask fit or use an ASTM F3502 mask or a respirator.
• If your child has a hard time breathing, gets dizzy, or has other symptoms while you are trying to get the mask to fit better or when using an ASTM F3502 mask or a respirator, choose a cloth or disposable mask. They should continue to protect themselves and others. Consult your healthcare provider if these symptoms do not resolve.

People with disabilities

Certain groups of people may find it difficult to wear a mask, including people of any age with certain disabilities.

Challenges may be caused by being sensitive to materials on the face, difficulty understanding the importance of mask wearing for protection, or having difficulty controlling behavior to keep the mask in place.

People with certain disabilities or their caregivers can assess whether they need to wear a mask. They should do this by considering the person’s ability to:

• Wear a mask correctly (proper mask size and fit)
• Avoid frequent touching of the mask and face
• Limit sucking, drooling, or having excess saliva on the mask
• Remove the mask without assistance

People who are deaf or hard of hearing

These individuals may consider:

• Wearing a clear mask or a cloth mask with a clear panel
• If a clear mask is not available, using written communication, closed captioning, or decreasing background noise to make communication possible while wearing a mask that blocks lips

Wearing a well-fitting mask while you travel can help protect you and others.

Learn about the latest recommendation for wearing masks during travel.

How to Care for Your Mask

Correct and consistent care for your mask helps to provide the best protection

How to take off your mask

Disposable masks and cloth masks: Untie the strings behind your head or stretch the ear loops and fold the outside corners together.

Respirators: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

1. For reusable cloth masks
   • If your cloth mask is wet or dirty, put it in a sealed plastic bag until you can wash it. This will keep it from getting moldy.
   • If your cloth mask is dry and clean, you can store it in a breathable bag (like a paper or mesh fabric bag) to keep it clean between uses in the same day.
   • Cloth masks should be washed at least once a day or as soon as they become wet or dirty. You can either wash and dry your masks by hand or use a washer and dryer.
2. Wash or sanitize your hands after removing any mask.

If you are taking off your mask to eat or drink outside of your home, you can place it somewhere safe to keep it clean, such as your pocket, purse, or paper bag. After eating, put the mask back on with the same side facing out. Be sure to wash or sanitize your hands again after taking off your mask and after putting your mask back on.

• Disposable masks should be thrown away after they’re worn once.
• If you use respirators, check the manufacturer’s instructions to learn how long they can be worn before they should be thrown away.
• Disposable masks and respirators that become wet or dirty should be thrown away in the trash right away. Do not continue to wear a wet or dirty mask. Replace it with a dry, clean mask.

• Added information to present similar content for masks and respirators
• Clarified that people can choose respirators such as N95s and KN95s, including removing concerns related to supply shortages for N95s
• Clarified that “surgical N95s” are a specific type of respirator that should be reserved for healthcare settings
• Clarified that some types of masks and respirators provide more protection to the wearer than others

Key Messages:

• Masking is a critical public health tool for preventing spread of COVID-19, and it is important to remember that any mask is better than no mask.
• To protect yourself and others from COVID-19, CDC continues to recommend that you wear the most protective mask you can that fits well and that you will wear consistently.
• Masks and respirators are effective at reducing transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, when worn consistently and correctly.
• Some masks and respirators offer higher levels of protection than others, and some may be harder to tolerate or wear consistently than others. It is most important to wear a well-fitting mask or respirator correctly that is comfortable for you and that provides good protection.
• While all masks and respirators provide some level of protection, properly fitting respirators provide the highest level of protection. Wearing a highly protective mask or respirator may be most important for certain higher risk situations, or by some people at increased risk for severe disease.
• CDC’s mask recommendations provide information that people can use to improve how well their masks protect them.

Masks and respirators can provide varying degrees of protection, with well-fitting National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-approved respirators offering the most protection. Masking is a critical public health tool for preventing spread of COVID-19, and it is important to remember that any mask is better than no mask. This page presents options in order of least to most protective. To protect yourself and others from COVID-19, CDC continues to recommend that you wear the most protective mask you can that fits well and that you will wear consistently.

Types of Masks and Respirators

Masks are made to contain droplets and particles you breathe, cough, or sneeze out. If they fit closely to the face, they can also provide you some protection from particles spread by others, including the virus that causes COVID-19.

Respirators are made to protect you by filtering the air and fitting closely on the face to filter out particles, including the virus that causes COVID-19. They can also contain droplets and particles you breathe, cough, or sneeze out so you do not spread them to others.

Cloth Masks

Cloth Masks can be made from a variety of fabrics and many types of cloth masks are available.

Wear cloth masks with

• A proper fit over your nose, mouth, and chin to prevent leaks
• Multiple layers of tightly woven, breathable fabric
• Nose wire
• Fabric that blocks light when held up to bright light source

Do NOT wear cloth masks with

• Gaps around the sides of the face or nose
• Exhalation valves, vents, or other openings (see example)
• Single-layer fabric or those made of thin fabric that don’t block light
• Wet or dirty material

Disposable procedure masks are widely available. They are sometimes referred to as surgical masks or medical procedure masks.

Wear procedure masks with

• A proper fit over your nose, mouth, and chin to prevent leaks
• Multiple layers of non-woven material
• A nose wire

Do NOT wear procedure masks with

• Gaps around the sides of the face or nose (see example)
• Wet or dirty material

Ways to have better fit and extra protection with cloth and disposable masks

• Wear two masks (disposable mask underneath AND cloth mask on top)
• Combine either a cloth mask or disposable mask with a fitter or brace
• Knot and tuck ear loops of a 3-ply mask where they join the edge of the mask
  • For disposable procedure masks, fold and tuck the unneeded material under the edges.
• Use masks that attach behind the neck and head with either elastic bands or ties (instead of ear loops)

Masks that Meet a Standard

Some masks are designed and tested to ensure they perform at a consistent level. These masks are labeled to tell you what standard they meet. These masks are labeled:

• MEETS ASTM F3502
• MEETS WORKPLACE PERFORMANCE
• MEETS WORKPLACE PERFORMANCE PLUS

These are new standards. Lists of masks that meet these standards and more information on their availability can be found on the NIOSH Personal Protective Equipment Information (PPE-Info) webpage. These masks have markings printed on the product to indicate they are authentic.

Follow manufacturer’s instructions on how to wear, store, and clean or properly dispose of the mask. These should be worn according to the manufacturer’s instructions without modifications.

Wear masks that meet a standard with

• A proper fit over your nose and mouth to prevent leaks
• Multiple layers of non-woven material
• A nose wire

Do NOT wear masks that meet a standard

• If it is hard to breathe while wearing them
• If they are wet or dirty
• With other masks or respirators
• As a replacement for NIOSH-approved respiratory protection when required by your job

Respirators

When choosing a respirator, look at how well it fits and read the manufacturer instructions. These instructions should include information on how to wear, store, and clean or properly dispose of the respirator. Respirators have markings printed on the product to indicate they are authentic, see appropriate N95 markings and KN95 markings.

It is important to wear your respirator properly, so it forms a seal to your face. Gaps can let air with respiratory droplets leak in and out around the edges of the respirator. Gaps can be caused by choosing the wrong size or type of respirator or when a respirator is worn with facial hair. For information about how to use your N95 correctly, see How to Use Your N95 Respirator. The information on this page is about N95 respirators but also applies to international respirators, like KN95 respirators.

Most publicly available respirators are disposable and should be discarded when they are dirty, damaged, or difficult to breathe through.

More information on these two types of respirators is provided below.

Clear masks or cloth masks with a clear plastic panel are an alternative type of mask that may be helpful when interacting with certain groups of people, such as:

• People who are deaf or hard of hearing
• Young children or students learning to read
• Students learning a new language
• People with disabilities
• People who need to see the proper shape of the mouth for making appropriate vowel sounds

The FDA cleared for marketing a transparent medical mask. These transparent medical masks should be reserved for use by healthcare workers and patients who require them.

If you use this type of mask, make sure

• You can breathe easily
• Excess moisture does not collect on the inside of the mask

• Wear a mask with the best fit, protection, and comfort for you.
• If you are 2 years or older and are not up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines, wear a mask indoors in public.
• In general, people do not need to wear masks when outdoors. In areas of substantial or high transmission, people might choose to wear a mask outdoors when in sustained close contact with other people, particularly if
  • They or someone they live with has a weakened immune system or is at increased risk for severe disease.
  • They are not up to date on COVID-19 vaccines or live with someone who is not up to date on COVID-19 vaccines.
• People who have a condition or are taking medications that weaken their immune system may not be fully protected even if they are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. They should continue to take all precautions recommended for unvaccinated people, including wearing a well-fitted mask, until advised otherwise by their healthcare provider.
• If you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines, to maximize protection and prevent possibly spreading COVID-19 to others, wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission.

• Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth is required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and while indoors at U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and train stations. Travelers are not required to wear a mask in outdoor areas of a conveyance (like on open deck areas of a ferry or the uncovered top deck of a bus).

When selecting a mask, there are many choices. Here are some do’s and don’ts.

DO choose masks that

Have two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric

Completely cover your nose, mouth, and chin.

Fit snugly against the sides of your face and don’t have gaps

DO NOT choose masks that

Are made of fabric that makes it hard to breathe, for example, vinyl

Have exhalation valves or vents which allow virus particles to escape

Not recommended: Evaluation of face shields is ongoing, but effectiveness is unknown at this time.

Special Considerations

Children

Find a mask that is made for children to help ensure proper fit.

Check to be sure the mask fits snugly over the nose and mouth and under the chin and that there are no gaps around the sides.

Do NOT put a mask on children younger than 2 years old.

Cold weather gear

Wear your scarf, ski mask or balaclava over your mask

Scarves, ski masks and balaclavas are not substitutes for masks

People with beards

Certain types of facial hair, like beards, can make mask fitting difficult. Masks that fit well protect you better. To have a better fit, people with beards can shave their beards or trim their beards close to the face.

Other ways to improve fit

Use a mask fitter or brace.

Wear one disposable mask underneath a cloth mask that has multiple layers of fabric. The second mask should push the edges of the inner mask against the face and beard.

For people with beards that are not trimmed close to the face, masks may fit loosely around the beard. However, people with beards should still wear a mask. Masks designed for people with beards are being evaluated, and information will be provided when it becomes available.

People with disabilities

Certain groups of people may find it difficult to wear a mask, including some children 2 years and older and people of any age with certain disabilities.

Appropriate and consistent use of masks may be challenging for some, including people with certain disabilities. Challenges may be caused by being sensitive to having material on the face, difficulty understanding why wearing a mask is protective (such as those with an intellectual disability), or having difficulty controlling behavior.

When determining if children and people with certain disabilities should wear a mask, assess their ability to

• Wear a mask correctly
• Avoid frequent touching of the mask and their face
• Limit sucking, drooling, or having excess saliva on the mask
• Remove the mask without assistance

For people who cannot wear or safely wear a mask because of a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), consider reasonable accommodation for workers who are not fully vaccinated, who are unable to wear a mask, or who have difficulty wearing certain types of masks because of a disability.

If you are caring for children and people with certain disabilities who may need assistance with wearing masks, you should

• Ask your healthcare provider for advice to help the person you are caring for to wear a mask and ask for alternative ways of reducing transmission risk.
• Ensure proper mask size and fit.
• Remove their mask before sleeping, napping, when they may fall asleep (such as in a car seat or stroller), and in situations when continual supervision is not possible.
• Consider prioritizing wearing a mask in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, particularly when indoors. Masks may not be necessary when you and the person you are caring for are outside and away from others, or with other people who live in the same household. However, some localities may have mask mandates while out in public and these mandates should always be followed.

Masks should not be worn by:

• Children under 2 years
• A person with a disability who cannot wear a mask, or cannot safely wear a mask, for reasons related to the disability
• A person for whom wearing a mask would create a risk to workplace health, safety, or job duty as determined by the workplace risk assessment

People who are deaf or hard of hearing and those who will interact with people who are hearing impaired

If you interact with people who rely on reading lips, you may have difficulty communicating while wearing a mask.

• Consider wearing a clear mask or a cloth mask with a clear panel.
  • Generally, vinyl and non-breathable materials are not recommended for masks. However, for ease of lip-reading, this is an exception to that general guidance.
• If you are not able to get a clear mask, consider using written communication, closed captioning, or decreasing background noise to make communication possible while wearing a mask that blocks lips.

People with certain underlying medical conditions

Most people with underlying medical conditions can and should wear masks.

• If you have respiratory conditions and are concerned about wearing a mask safely, discuss with your healthcare provider the benefits and potential risks of wearing a mask.
• If you have asthma, you can wear a mask. Discuss with your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about wearing a mask.

Mask use and carbon dioxide

• Wearing a mask does not raise the carbon dioxide (CO2) level in the air you breathe.
• Cloth masks and surgical masks do not provide an airtight fit across the face. The CO2 escapes into the air through the mask when you breathe out or talk. CO2 molecules are small enough to easily pass through mask material. In contrast, the respiratory droplets that carry the virus that causes COVID-19 are much larger than CO2, so they cannot pass as easily through a properly designed and properly worn mask.

Wear a well-fitting mask correctly and consistently for the best protection.

• Be sure to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before putting on a mask.
• Do NOT touch the mask when wearing it. If you have to touch/adjust your mask often, it doesn’t fit you properly, and you may need to find a different mask or make adjustments.

Do wear a mask that

• Covers your nose and mouth and can be secured under your chin.
• Fits snugly against the sides of your face.

How NOT to Wear a Mask

How to take off a mask

Carefully, untie the strings behind your head or stretch the ear loops

Handle only by the ear loops or ties

Fold the outside corners together

Be careful not to touch your eyes, nose, and mouth when removing and wash hands immediately after removing

Reusable cloth masks should be washed as soon as they become dirty, or at least once a day. If you have a disposable face mask, throw it away after wearing it once. Always and wash your hands after handling or touching a used mask.

Using a washing machine

• Include your mask with your regular laundry.
• Use regular laundry detergent and the appropriate settings according to the fabric label.

By hand

• Wash your mask with tap water and laundry detergent or soap.
• Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove detergent or soap.

Dry Your Mask

Dryer

• Dry your mask completely in a warm or hot dryer

By hand

• Hang your mask in direct sunlight to dry completely. If you cannot hang it in direct sunlight, hang or lay it flat and let it dry completely.

Store wet or dirty masks in a plastic bag

If your mask is wet or dirty from sweat, saliva, make-up, or other liquids or substances, keep it in a sealed plastic bag until you can wash it. Wash wet or dirty masks as soon as possible to prevent them from becoming moldy. Wet masks can be hard to breathe through and are less effective than dry masks.

Store masks that are not wet or dirty in a paper bag

You can store your mask temporarily to reuse later. Remove your mask correctly and wash your hands after touching a used mask. Keep it in a dry, breathable bag (like a paper or mesh fabric bag) to keep it clean between uses. When reusing your mask, keep the same side facing out.

If you are taking off your mask to eat or drink outside of your home, you can place it somewhere safe to keep it clean, such as your pocket, purse, or paper bag. Make sure to wash or sanitize your hands after removing your mask. After eating, put the mask back on with the same side facing out. Be sure to wash or sanitize your hands again after putting your mask back on.