Fitzpatrick Skin Type Calculator
Answer 10 questions about your genetic disposition, sun reaction, and tanning habits to find your Fitzpatrick skin type.
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What Is the Fitzpatrick Scale?
The Fitzpatrick scale classifies skin into six types (I through VI) based on how it genetically responds to sun exposure — from Type I, which always burns and never tans, to Type VI, deeply pigmented skin that essentially never burns. Developed by dermatologist Thomas Fitzpatrick, it's widely used in dermatology and cosmetic procedures (like laser treatments and chemical peels) to help predict sunburn risk and set safe treatment parameters.
How to Use This Calculator
Answer all 10 questions honestly, based on your skin's natural, unmodified response — not how it currently looks if you've been tanning or avoiding sun recently. The genetic disposition questions describe fixed traits, while the sun reaction and tanning habit questions describe how your skin actually behaves.
How We Calculate It
Each answer scores 0 to 4 points. We add up all 10 answers for a total out of 40, then map that total to a Fitzpatrick type using the standard clinical scoring bands: 0-7 is Type I, 8-16 is Type II, 17-25 is Type III, 26-30 is Type IV, and above 30 is Type V-VI.
A Few Notes
This self-assessment questionnaire is the standard clinical tool for a quick estimate, but it's still a self-report — a dermatologist's in-person assessment is more reliable, especially for medical decisions like laser treatment settings or skin cancer risk screening. Fitzpatrick type is also just one factor in sun-safety and treatment decisions; it doesn't replace professional advice, especially for anyone with a personal or family history of skin cancer.
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