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Fitzpatrick skin type quiz

The Fitzpatrick skin phototype describes how skin responds to ultraviolet radiation. This is the 10-question scored version published by ARPANSA.

Answer 10 questions

Choose the answer that fits best. Each answer scores 0 to 4; the total gives the skin type.

0 of 10 answered. The result appears when every question has an answer.

  1. Physical traits

    1. What is the colour of your eyes?
  2. 2. What is the natural colour of your hair (before ageing)?
  3. 3. What is the colour of your skin on areas not exposed to the sun?
  4. 4. Do you have freckles on areas not exposed to the sun?

  5. Reaction to sun exposure

    5. What happens to your skin if you stay in the sun for an extended period?
  6. 6. Do you turn brown after sun exposure?
  7. 7. How brown do you get?
  8. 8. Is your face sensitive to the sun?

  9. Tanning habits

    9. How often do you tan?
  10. 10. When did you last expose your skin to the sun or to artificial tanning (tanning beds)?

Bands: I 0–6, II 7–13, III 14–20, IV 21–27, V 28–34, VI 35+.

The six skin types

ARPANSA score bands. Score = genetic + sensitivity + intentional exposure.
TypeScoreSkinReaction to sun
I0 to 6Pale white skinExtremely sensitive skin, always burns, never tans
II7 to 13White skinVery sensitive skin, burns easily, tans minimally
III14 to 20Light brown skinSensitive skin, sometimes burns, slowly tans to light brown
IV21 to 27Moderate brown skinMildly sensitive, burns minimally, always tans to moderate brown
V28 to 34Dark brown skinResistant skin, rarely burns, tans well
VI35+Deeply pigmented dark brown to black skinVery resistant skin, never burns, deeply pigmented
  • Questions are ARPANSA’s, with spelling corrected. ARPANSA’s examples naming ethnic groups are not reproduced.
  • ARPANSA states the information is not intended to take the place of medical advice.
  • Clinics assess skin type in person. Ask the clinic how it assesses skin type before laser, light or peel treatments.