Fitzpatrick Scale Skin Type Test and Results
Author: Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 17 Jan 2020 - Updated: 16 Jul 2026
Publication Type: Charts, Graphs, Tables
Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content
Synopsis
This information introduces the Fitzpatrick Scale, a system developed in 1975 by dermatologist Thomas B. Fitzpatrick to classify human skin types based on their response to ultraviolet (UV) exposure. It outlines six distinct skin types, ranging from very fair (Type I) to very dark (Type VI), detailing each type's typical reaction to sun exposure. The resource includes a self-assessment test, allowing individuals to identify their skin type by evaluating genetic factors and reactions to sun exposure. Understanding one's Fitzpatrick skin type is crucial for predicting sun damage risk and implementing appropriate sun protection measures, which is particularly important for individuals with disabilities or seniors who may have heightened skin sensitivity or limited mobility, making them more susceptible to UV-related skin conditions. The scale was initially developed based on skin color and has been adapted over time; however, it may not account for all individual variations, particularly among diverse populations..At a Glance
- 1 - The scale scores two areas, genetic disposition and reaction to sun exposure, then adds the totals to place a person on the six type range.
- 2 - Melanin absorbs and scatters energy from UV light to shield epidermal cells, so protection rises directly with the degree of skin pigmentation.
- 3 - It was originally built on hair and eye color to set the correct UVA dose for PUVA therapy, then later revised around how skin itself reacts to the sun.
- 4 - Acral lentiginous melanoma, a very aggressive form, is more common in darker skin types and often appears on the palms, soles, and mucous membranes where it can go undetected until it spreads.
Topic Definition
- Fitzpatrick Scale Skin Type
The Fitzpatrick skin phototype is a commonly used system to describe a person's skin type in terms of response to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure. Also called the Fitzpatrick skin typing test or Fitzpatrick phototyping scale, the Fitzpatrick scale was developed in 1975 by Thomas B. Fitzpatrick as a numerical classification used for classifying human skin color as a way to estimate the response of different types of skin to ultraviolet (UV) light rays and skin cancer.
Overview
How to Find and Understand Your Skin Type on the Fitzpatrick Scale
The Fitzpatrick scale was originally developed on the basis of skin color to measure the correct dose of UVA for PUVA therapy. The initial testing was based on human hair and eye color only and later adjusted to be based on how a persons skin responds to the sun, and also extended to cover a wider range of human skin types. Cosmetic professionals also use the Fitzpatrick scale to accurately produce cosmetic products for all skin types.
The current Fitzpatrick skin type classification denotes 6 different skin types, skin color, and reactions to sun exposure which ranges from very fair (skin type I) to very dark (skin type VI) depending upon whether the patient burns at the first average sun exposure or tans at the first average sun exposure. (Table 1).
Fitzpatrick Skin Typing
Take the quiz below to discover your skin type.
If self-assessing, Fitzpatrick skin typing should be used as a guide rather than a definitive skin type. A person may find their skin does not fit completely into any one category.
The skin types listed below are numbered according to how much melanin is present in the skin. The role of melanin in the skin is to absorb and scatter energy from Ultra Violet light to protect the skin epidermal cells from damage. Melanin provides considerable protection from sun damage, and the degree of protection corresponds directly to the degree of pigmentation.
Fitzpatrick Skin Type Test Questions
(1) - Genetic Disposition
How many freckles do you have on unexposed areas of your skin?
- Many - Score 0 points
- Several - Score 1 point
- A few - Score 2 points
- Very few - Score 3 points
Your natural hair color is:
- Red or light blonde - Score 0 points
- Blonde - Score 1 point
- Dark blonde or light brown - Score 2 points
- Dark brown - Score 3 points
- Black - Score 4 points
Your eye color is:
Light blue, light gray or light green = 0 points
- Blue, gray or green - Score 1 point
- Hazel or light brown - Score 2 points
- Dark brown - Score 3 points
- Brownish black - Score 4 points
Your natural skin color (nonexposed areas) is:
- Ivory white - Score 0 points
- Fair or pale - Score 1 point
- Fair to beige, with golden undertone - Score 2 points
- Olive or light brown - Score 3 points
- Dark brown or black - Score 4 points
Total score for genetic disposition = ______
(2) - Reaction to Extended Sun Exposure
Does your skin tan?
- Never, I always burn - Score 0 points
- Seldom - Score 1 point
- Sometimes - Score 2 points
- Often - Score 3 points
- Always - Score 4 points
How does your skin respond to the sun?
- Always burns, blisters and peels - Score 0 points
- Often burns, blisters and peels - Score 1 point
- Burns moderately - Score 2 points
- Burns rarely, if at all - Score 3 points
- Never burns - Score 4 points
How sensitive is your face to the sun?
- Very sensitive - Score 0 points
- Sensitive - Score 1 point
- Normal - Score 2 points
- Resistant - Score 3 points
- Very resistant/Never had a problem - Score 4 points
How deeply do you tan?
- Not at all or very little - Score 0 points
- Lightly - Score 1 point
- Moderately - Score 2 points
- Deeply - Score 3 points
- My skin is naturally dark - Score 4 points
Total score for reaction to extended sun exposure = ______
Total Score
Add total scores from answers given in part 1 and part 2 of the questionaires
Part 1 Score = ______
Part 2 Score = ______
Total Points = ______
Fitzpatrick Skin Type Self Test
Find your Fitzpatrick skin type, risk factor(s), and ideal protection methods listed below:
| Table 1 - Fitzpatrick Skin Type Scale | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type 1 Skin | ||
|
Score |
Eye Color |
Description |
|
0 - 6 |
Light green |
Skin Type: Always burns, never tans (palest; freckles). Low potential for scarring. Example: Red hair and freckles. Risk Factor: You are extremely susceptible to skin damage as well as cancers like basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma types of skin cancer. Prevention:
|
| Type 2 Skin | ||
|
Score |
Eye Color |
Description |
|
7 - 13 |
Green |
Skin Type: Usually burns, tans minimally. Risk of scarring low unless the wound is slow to heal. Example: Fair skinned, fair haired Caucasians, northern Asians. Risk Factor: Your skin almost always burns and rarely tans in the sun. You are highly susceptible to skin damage as well as cancers like basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. You are also at high risk for melanoma - the deadliest type of skin cancer. Prevention:
|
| Type 3 Skin | ||
|
Score |
Eye Color |
Description |
|
14 - 20 |
Light brown |
Skin Type: Sometimes mild burn, tans uniformly. Higher scarring potential than Type 1 or 2. Example: Darker Caucasians, some Asians. Risk Factor: Your skin sometimes burns and sometimes tans in the sun. You are susceptible to skin damage as well as cancers like basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. You are also at risk for melanoma (the deadliest type of skin cancer). Prevention:
|
| Type 4 Skin | ||
|
Score |
Eye Color |
Description |
|
21 - 27 |
Dark brown |
Skin Type: Burns minimally, always tans well (moderate brown). Type 4 skin scars easily. Example: Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Caucasians, southern Asians. Risk Factor: Your skin tends to tan easily and is less likely to burn. But, you are still at risk of skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma (the deadliest type of skin cancer). Prevention:
|
| Type 5 Skin | ||
|
Score |
Eye Color |
Description |
|
28 - 4 |
Dark Brown |
Skin Type: Very rarely burns, tans very easily (dark brown). Rarely burns but has a high risk of scarring. Example: some Hispanics, some Africans. Risk Factor: Your skin tans easily and rarely burns, but you are still at risk of skin cancers. Acral lentiginous melanoma, a very virulent form of the disease, is more common among darker-skinned people. These melanomas tend to appear on parts of the body not often exposed to the sun, and often remain undetected until after the cancer has spread. Prevention:
|
| Type 6 Skin | ||
|
Score |
Eye Color |
Description |
|
35 - 36 |
Dark brown |
Skin Type: Never burns (deeply pigmented). Very high risk of abnormal scarring. Example: darker Africans, Indigenous Australians. Risk Factor: Although your skin does not burn, you are still at risk for skin cancers. Acral lentiginous melanoma, a very virulent form of the disease, is more common among darker-skinned people. These melanomas tend to appear on parts of the body not often exposed to the sun, and often remain undetected until after the cancer has spread. Prevention:
|
Reproduction of the Von Luschan's chromatic scale made by anthropologist Felix von Luschan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who created the Fitzpatrick Scale and when?
The scale was developed in 1975 by American dermatologist Thomas B. Fitzpatrick, who worked at Harvard Medical School and is widely regarded as a founder of modern academic dermatology.
What is the Fitzpatrick Scale used for today?
It is used to estimate sun damage and skin cancer risk, guide sun protection choices, set safe doses for light-based treatments such as laser and PUVA therapy, and help cosmetic and skincare professionals match products to different skin tones.
Can my Fitzpatrick skin type change over my lifetime?
Your underlying genetic skin type stays largely the same, though factors such as age, medications, hormonal shifts, and certain health conditions can change how sensitive your skin is to the sun, which is why periodic reassessment can be helpful.
Is the Fitzpatrick Scale accurate for all skin tones?
It was originally based on lighter skin and color, so it can be less precise for diverse populations, and many clinicians treat it as a useful starting guide rather than a complete measure of every individual variation.
How is the Fitzpatrick Scale different from the Von Luschan scale?
The Von Luschan chromatic scale was an early anthropological tool that matched skin against 36 colored tiles to record pigmentation, while the Fitzpatrick Scale instead classifies skin by how it functionally reacts to UV exposure across six types.
Does a higher Fitzpatrick type mean I do not need sunscreen?
No, people with higher types tan more easily and burn less, but they remain at risk of skin cancer and sun damage, so broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher and regular skin checks are still recommended.
What SPF and habits are advised across the Fitzpatrick types?
All types are advised to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, seek shade when the sun is strongest, cover up with a hat, clothing, and sunglasses, check their skin monthly, and have an annual professional skin examination.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: While the Fitzpatrick Scale serves as a valuable tool for assessing skin types and potential UV sensitivity, it is essential to recognize its limitations. While the Fitzpatrick Scale provides a useful framework for understanding skin types, it's important to remember that individual variations exist. Factors such as medications, health conditions, and lifestyle changes can affect skin sensitivity. Regular dermatological check-ups and personalized advice from healthcare professionals remain crucial for maintaining optimal skin health, especially for those with unique needs or vulnerabilities..
Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.