The Fitzpatrick Skin Type Scale Explained
The Fitzpatrick scale sorts skin into six types by how it reacts to the sun, from Type I (always burns) to Type VI (never burns). Here’s how to find yours and why it matters.
The quick answer
The Fitzpatrick skin type scale is a dermatology classification that groups skin into six types based on how much melanin it has and how it reacts to sun. Type I always burns and never tans; Type VI is deeply pigmented and never burns. It’s the standard way to personalise sun-care advice — and the number every tool on this site asks for.
The six skin types
| Type | Features | Sun reaction |
|---|---|---|
| Type I · Very fair | Pale white, often with freckles; red or light blonde hair; light blue, grey or green eyes | Always burns, never tans |
| Type II · Fair | Fair, white; blonde to light brown hair; blue, grey or green eyes | Burns easily, tans minimally |
| Type III · Medium | Fair to beige, golden undertone; dark blonde to brown hair; hazel or brown eyes | Burns moderately, tans gradually |
| Type IV · Olive | Olive, light brown; dark brown hair; dark brown eyes | Burns minimally, tans easily |
| Type V · Brown | Brown; dark brown to black hair; dark brown eyes | Rarely burns, tans well |
| Type VI · Deep brown | Deeply pigmented dark brown to black; black hair; brownish black eyes | Never burns, deeply pigmented |
Why your type changes your safe sun time
Each type has a different Minimal Erythemal Dose (MED) — the amount of UV it can absorb before reddening. More melanin means a higher MED and a longer safe time. That’s why, at the same UV index, a Type I might burn in 12 minutes while a Type V takes nearly an hour. The tanning time calculator uses your type’s MED to do this maths for you.
How to find your type
Look at your untanned skin and your genetics — eye colour, natural hair colour, how easily you freckle — then how your skin behaves after a long time in the sun. If you burn and barely tan, you’re likely Type I–II; if you tan easily and rarely burn, Type IV–V. The quiz turns these into a single number.
Using your type day to day
- Read the UV index for where you are on the live UV tool.
- Enter your type and the UV in the tanning time calculator.
- Plan SPF and reapplication with the SPF calculator.