The ozone layer is located in the stratosphere , the second major layer of Earth’s atmosphere above the troposphere.

Quick Scoop: Short Answer

  • The ozone layer lies mainly between about 15–35 km above Earth’s surface, within the stratosphere.
  • About 90% of the atmosphere’s ozone is found there, where it absorbs harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Mini Breakdown

Where exactly is it?

  • The stratosphere starts roughly 10–16 km up and extends to about 50 km altitude.
  • The “ozone layer” is the stratospheric region with the highest ozone concentration, mostly between about 15 and 35 km.

Why does it matter?

  • Stratospheric ozone acts like a protective shield, soaking up much of the Sun’s UV‑B radiation that can cause skin cancer, cataracts, and harm ecosystems.
  • Human‑made chemicals once thinned this layer (the “ozone hole”), but international agreements like the Montreal Protocol have led to gradual recovery.

TL;DR: The ozone layer sits high in the stratosphere , roughly 15–35 km above Earth, where it forms a global UV‑blocking shield.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.