KNOW YOUR SKIN TYPE
Fitzpatrick Skin Types 1–6
Complete Guide & Chart
What is your Fitzpatrick skin type?
The Fitzpatrick skin type scale is a widely used way of classifying skin according to how it typically responds to ultraviolet (UV) exposure, particularly whether it tends to burn or tan.
Knowing your Fitzpatrick skin type can be useful when considering how your skin responds to sunlight and UV exposure, and it is particularly relevant when discussing tanning.
In this guide, we’ll explain the six Fitzpatrick skin types, show you the Fitzpatrick skin type chart, explain how to work out your own skin type and look at what each type typically means when it comes to tanning and UV exposure.
Quick answer: Fitzpatrick Types I–VI range from very fair skin that generally burns easily and tans very little, through to darker skin that generally tans more readily and burns less easily.
Fitzpatrick Skin Type Chart
The Fitzpatrick scale divides skin into six broad phototypes. The classification is based largely on the way your natural skin responds to sunlight, including how easily it burns and how readily it develops a tan.
What is your Fitzpatrick Skin Type score?
Score = genetic + sensitivity + intentional exposure = skin type
Fitzpatrick skin types at a glance
| Fitzpatrick Type | Typical Skin Characteristics | Typical Response to UV Exposure |
| Type I | Very fair or pale skin | Usually burns very easily and rarely or never tans |
| Type II | Fair skin | Usually burns easily and tans minimally |
| Type III | Light to medium skin | May burn initially and gradually develops a tan |
| Type IV | Olive or light brown skin | Usually burns less easily and tans readily |
| Type V | Brown skin | Rarely burns and tans readily |
| Type VI | Dark brown or black skin | Very rarely burns and generally tans deeply |
These descriptions are generalisations. Individual skin responses vary, and your Fitzpatrick type should be considered alongside your personal history and circumstances.
What Is the Fitzpatrick Skin Type Scale?
The Fitzpatrick skin type scale, also known as the Fitzpatrick skin phototype classification, was developed to categorise skin according to its typical response to sunlight.
The six types run from Type I to Type VI. The important distinction is not simply the colour of your skin, but how your skin behaves when exposed to sunlight or other sources of UV.
For example, two people may have a similar-looking natural skin tone but respond differently to sunlight. One might burn quickly and struggle to develop a tan, while another may tan relatively easily.
This is why the Fitzpatrick classification considers both skin characteristics and your typical tanning and burning response.
How Do I Find My Fitzpatrick Skin Type?
There are several factors that can help you determine your Fitzpatrick skin type.
Think about your natural, untanned skin and your normal response to sunlight.
How fair or dark is your natural skin?
How easily does your skin burn?
How readily does your skin tan?
Do you burn before developing a tan?
How deeply does your skin tan after repeated exposure?
What normally happens when you spend time in the sun without a tan already present?
Your current skin colour isn’t necessarily the best indicator because an existing tan can temporarily change the appearance of your skin.
Fitzpatrick Skin Type 1
What is Fitzpatrick Type 1?
Fitzpatrick Type I generally describes very fair or pale skin that burns very easily and has little or no ability to develop a conventional tan.
People with Type I skin may also have very light hair, light eyes and freckles, although these characteristics do not determine Fitzpatrick type on their own.
How does Type 1 skin respond to UV?
Type I skin is particularly prone to burning following UV exposure and generally tans very little.
If you have Type I skin, understanding your response to UV is particularly important when deciding how you approach sun exposure and tanning.
Fitzpatrick Skin Type 2
What is Fitzpatrick Type 2?
Fitzpatrick Type II generally describes fair skin that tends to burn relatively easily and develops a limited tan.
Type II skin can tan, although burning is generally more common than with the darker Fitzpatrick types.
How does Type 2 skin respond to UV?
People with Type II skin generally need to pay particular attention to their skin’s response to UV exposure, especially if they are prone to burning.
Fitzpatrick Skin Type 3
What is Fitzpatrick Type 3?
Fitzpatrick Type III generally describes light to medium skin that may burn with UV exposure but can develop a gradual tan.
Type III is often described as having an intermediate response: burning is possible, but the skin generally has a greater capacity to tan than Types I and II.
Does Type 3 skin tan?
Yes. Type III skin will generally develop a tan more readily than Types I and II, although individual responses vary.
Fitzpatrick Skin Type 4
What is Fitzpatrick Type 4?
Fitzpatrick Type IV generally describes olive or light brown skin that tends to burn less easily and develops a tan relatively readily.
The greater amount of melanin associated with darker phototypes contributes to their different response to UV exposure.
Does Type 4 skin tan easily?
Generally, yes. Type IV skin typically tans more readily than Types I, II and III and is less prone to burning.
However, being less likely to burn does not mean that Type IV skin cannot burn. Individual responses to UV vary.
Fitzpatrick Skin Type 5
What is Fitzpatrick Type 5?
Fitzpatrick Type V generally describes brown skin that tans readily and is relatively resistant to burning.
Type V skin contains a higher level of melanin than the lighter phototypes, contributing to its characteristic response to UV exposure.
Does Type 5 skin tan?
Yes. Type V skin generally tans readily and is much less likely to burn than Types I and II.
Fitzpatrick Skin Type 6
What is Fitzpatrick Type 6?
Fitzpatrick Type VI generally describes dark brown or black skin that tans deeply and is very unlikely to burn under typical sunlight exposure.
Type VI represents the darkest end of the Fitzpatrick classification and is associated with a high level of melanin.
Does Type 6 skin tan?
Yes. Type VI skin generally tans readily and can develop a deep, rich tan.
It is nevertheless important to remember that no Fitzpatrick category makes skin completely unaffected by UV exposure.
Fitzpatrick Skin Type Test
Want to work out your Fitzpatrick skin type?
Start by thinking about your natural skin before tanning and your usual response to sunlight.
Question 1: How would you describe your natural skin?
Consider whether your natural skin is:
- Very fair or pale
- Fair
- Light to medium
- Olive or light brown
- Brown
- Dark brown or black
Question 2: How easily do you burn?
Think about your normal experience in the sun.
Do you burn very easily, occasionally, rarely or almost never?
Question 3: How easily do you tan?
Do you rarely develop a tan, tan gradually, or develop a noticeable tan relatively easily?
Question 4: What happens after repeated sun exposure?
Consider your typical response over time rather than a single experience. Your Fitzpatrick type is intended to describe your usual response.
These questions can help you understand where you broadly fit on the Fitzpatrick scale, but they are not intended to provide a medical diagnosis.
Fitzpatrick Skin Type and Tanning
Fitzpatrick skin type is particularly useful when discussing tanning because different skin types have different typical responses to UV exposure.
Broadly speaking:
Types I and II tend to burn more easily and develop less of a tan.
Type III can burn but generally develops a gradual tan.
Type IV generally tans more readily and burns less easily.
Types V and VI generally tan readily and are less prone to burning.
Everyone’s skin is different, however, so these categories should be regarded as a guide rather than a guarantee of how an individual will respond.
When considering any tanning treatment, your skin type is just one part of the overall picture. Your previous tanning history, current skin condition and any relevant medication or health circumstances may also be important.
Fitzpatrick Skin Type and Sunbeds
If you are researching Fitzpatrick skin types because you are interested in sunbed tanning, understanding how your skin normally responds to UV is useful.
At Heatwave Worcester, skin type and individual circumstances are relevant considerations when discussing tanning services.
UK regulations and health guidance apply to commercial sunbed use, including restrictions concerning age and certain circumstances in which sunbed use is not recommended.
The UK Government’s current guidance explains that sunbeds emit UV radiation and provides information about the potential health effects of UV exposure.
Read more: [UK Government – Sunbeds: Safety Advice]
The Fitzpatrick scale itself does not determine whether a particular individual should use a sunbed or establish a medically “safe” exposure level. It is a classification of skin phototype and typical UV response.
Can Fitzpatrick Skin Type Change?
Your underlying Fitzpatrick skin type is generally considered to be a relatively stable characteristic.
Your appearance, however, can change significantly.
For example, exposure to sunlight or UV can make your skin temporarily darker through tanning.
This is why your Fitzpatrick type should generally be considered based on your natural, untanned skin and your typical response to sunlight rather than simply looking at your skin after it has tanned.
Does a Darker Skin Type Mean You Cannot Burn?
No. Darker Fitzpatrick skin types are generally less likely to burn than lighter skin types, but burning can still occur.
Higher levels of melanin provide greater natural protection against UV radiation, which helps explain why Types IV, V and VI generally burn less easily.
However, this does not make darker skin completely unaffected by UV exposure.
This is also why the Fitzpatrick scale should be viewed as a description of skin response rather than a guarantee of how much UV exposure an individual can tolerate.
Is Fitzpatrick Skin Type the Same as Skin Tone?
No.
Skin tone refers primarily to the visible colour of your skin.
Fitzpatrick skin type describes how your skin typically responds to UV exposure.
Although skin colour is one consideration, the Fitzpatrick classification also takes your tendency to burn and tan into account.
Why Is the Fitzpatrick Scale Used?
The Fitzpatrick classification is used in a number of areas where differences in skin phototype are relevant.
It is commonly encountered in:
Dermatology
Skin and cosmetic research
UV exposure discussions
Some cosmetic and aesthetic treatments
Tanning consultations
The classification provides a convenient way of describing broad differences in how skin responds to UV exposure.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fitzpatrick Skin Types
What are the six Fitzpatrick skin types?
The six Fitzpatrick skin types are Type I, Type II, Type III, Type IV, Type V and Type VI.
They range from very fair skin that generally burns easily and tans very little through to dark skin that generally tans readily and burns much less easily.
What is Fitzpatrick Type 1?
Type I generally describes very fair or pale skin that burns very easily and rarely or never tans.
What is Fitzpatrick Type 1?
Type I generally describes very fair or pale skin that burns very easily and rarely or never tans.
What is Fitzpatrick Type 2?
Type II generally describes fair skin that burns easily and develops only a limited tan
What is Fitzpatrick Type 3?
Type III generally describes light to medium skin that can burn but generally develops a gradual tan.
What is Fitzpatrick Type 4?
Type IV generally describes olive or light brown skin that tends to burn less easily and tans relatively readily.
What is Fitzpatrick Type 5?
Type V generally describes brown skin that rarely burns and tans readily.
What is Fitzpatrick Type 6?
Type VI generally describes dark brown or black skin that very rarely burns and generally tans deeply.
Which Fitzpatrick skin type tans most easily?
Types IV, V and VI generally tan more readily than Types I and II.
Individual responses vary, however, and Fitzpatrick type is only a broad classification.
Which Fitzpatrick skin type burns most easily?
Type I is generally the most prone to burning, followed by Type II.
Any skin type can burn with sufficient UV exposure.
Can people with dark skin get sunburn?
Yes.
People with darker skin are generally less likely to burn, but sunburn can still occur.
Can my Fitzpatrick skin type tell me how quickly I will tan?
It can provide a general indication of how your skin tends to respond to UV exposure, but it cannot predict exactly how quickly an individual will tan.
Can I determine my Fitzpatrick type from my skin colour alone?
Not reliably.
Your natural skin colour is relevant, but the Fitzpatrick classification also considers how your skin typically reacts to sunlight, particularly whether you burn and how readily you tan.
About Heatwave Worcester
Heatwave Worcester is a tanning and beauty salon serving Worcester and the surrounding area.
We provide tanning and beauty services and information to help customers understand their options, including information about skin types and tanning.
If you are considering a tanning treatment and would like more information about the services available at Heatwave Worcester, please contact us or explore our Worcester tanning services.
Sources & Further Reading
- DermNet – Fitzpatrick Skin Phototype – detailed information about the Fitzpatrick classification and the six skin phototypes.
- UK Government – Sunbeds: Safety Advice – current UK guidance relating to sunbed use and UV exposure.
- UK Government / COMARE – Skin Cancer Risks from Sunbed Use and Their Control – evidence and recommendations concerning commercial sunbed use and skin-cancer risk.
This article is provided for general information and is not medical advice. If you have a skin condition, unusual reaction to sunlight, photosensitivity or concerns about your individual response to UV exposure, consult an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.