Fitzpatrick Skin Type Quiz: Find Your Type and Burn Time
The Fitzpatrick skin type scale is the standard dermatologists use to classify how skin reacts to UV exposure — from Type I (very fair, always burns) to Type VI (very dark, almost never burns). Knowing your type is the first step to a meaningful UV forecast, because the same UV index translates into very different burn times for different skin. This self-assessment uses the standard skin phototype questionnaire so you can find your type in a few minutes.
How to take the quiz
Answer all nine questions below. Each answer is worth 0–4 points. Add up your total at the end and look it up in the scoring table to find your Fitzpatrick skin type. The first four questions cover your genetic disposition, the next three cover how your skin reacts to sun exposure, and the last two cover your recent tanning habits.
This is a self-assessment, not a medical diagnosis. If you have specific concerns about your skin or sun sensitivity, consult a dermatologist.
Part 1 — Genetic disposition
Q1.What color are your eyes?
- Light blue, light gray, or light green0 pts
- Blue, gray, or green1 pts
- Blue2 pts
- Dark brown3 pts
- Brownish black4 pts
Q2.What is your natural hair color?
- Red or light blonde0 pts
- Blonde1 pts
- Dark blonde or light brown2 pts
- Dark brown3 pts
- Black4 pts
Q3.What is your skin color on areas not exposed to the sun (e.g. inner upper arm)?
- Ivory, reddish white0 pts
- Very pale, with a pink tint1 pts
- Pale with a beige tint2 pts
- Light brown3 pts
- Dark brown to black4 pts
Q4.How many freckles do you have on unexposed skin?
- Many0 pts
- Several1 pts
- A few2 pts
- Very few3 pts
- None4 pts
Part 2 — Reaction to sun exposure
Q5.What happens to your skin after extended sun exposure (with no sunscreen)?
- Painful redness, blistering, and peeling0 pts
- Blistering followed by peeling1 pts
- Burns sometimes, followed by peeling2 pts
- Rare burns3 pts
- Never had burns4 pts
Q6.How well does your skin tan?
- Hardly at all, or not at all0 pts
- Light tan1 pts
- Reasonable tan2 pts
- Tans very easily3 pts
- Turns dark brown quickly4 pts
Q7.How does your face react to about three hours of sun in early summer?
- Very painful redness or blistering0 pts
- Moderate redness or some blistering1 pts
- Slight pink2 pts
- No redness3 pts
- No reaction at all4 pts
Part 3 — Tanning habits
Q8.When was your last sun exposure or use of a tanning bed?
- More than 3 months ago0 pts
- 2 to 3 months ago1 pts
- 1 to 2 months ago2 pts
- Less than a month ago3 pts
- Less than 2 weeks ago4 pts
Q9.Was the area you're scoring exposed to the sun in the past?
- Never0 pts
- Hardly ever1 pts
- Sometimes2 pts
- Often3 pts
- Always4 pts
Score yourself
Add the points from all nine questions and find your range below. Your range is your Fitzpatrick skin type. Each row also shows the approximate burn time you can expect at a UV index of 10 — useful context for what the UV forecast actually means for your skin.
| Score | Type | Description | Burn time guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 – 6 | Type I | Very fair, always burns | Burns in roughly 10 minutes at UV 10. Even at moderate UV (3–5), unprotected exposure of 30–45 minutes can cause redness. |
| 7 – 13 | Type II | Fair, burns easily, tans minimally | Burns in about 15 minutes at UV 10. Tans only slightly even with prolonged exposure. |
| 14 – 20 | Type III | Medium, sometimes burns, tans gradually | Burns in about 20 minutes at UV 10. Develops a gradual tan with consistent exposure. |
| 21 – 27 | Type IV | Olive, rarely burns, tans easily | Burns in about 30 minutes at UV 10. Tans easily and tolerates moderate UV well. |
| 28 – 34 | Type V | Brown, very rarely burns, tans darkly | Burns in about 45 minutes at UV 10. Tans deeply and rarely shows redness even at high UV. |
| 35 + | Type VI | Very dark, almost never burns | Burns in about 60 minutes at UV 10. Highest natural protection — but UV damage and skin cancer are still possible. |
Why your Fitzpatrick type matters for UV forecasts
The UV index is a single number for everyone in your area — but the same UV reading translates into wildly different safe exposure times depending on skin type. At UV 7 (a typical summer afternoon), Type I skin can start to burn in under 15 minutes, while Type V skin may be safe for over 45 minutes. A UV forecast that ignores this is missing the most actionable part of the answer.
That's the gap a personalized UV forecast app fills. Sunwise asks for your Fitzpatrick type once and uses it to convert every UV index reading into a personal burn time in minutes — on your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Home Screen widget. For more on what each UV level means, see the UV index guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Fitzpatrick scale still considered accurate?
Yes. The Fitzpatrick scale was developed in 1975 and remains the standard tool dermatologists use to classify skin response to UV exposure, including for laser treatments and phototherapy dosing. It's a self-reported measure of how your skin reacts — not a measure of pigmentation alone — so it stays useful regardless of background ethnicity.
Can my Fitzpatrick type change over time?
Your underlying type doesn't change, but how your skin reacts day-to-day can. Recent sun exposure, certain medications, and pregnancy can all temporarily make skin more or less sensitive. For everyday UV planning, score the area you're asking about (face, arms, etc.) and re-take the quiz if your circumstances change significantly.
Does a higher Fitzpatrick type mean I don't need sunscreen?
No. Higher Fitzpatrick types (V and VI) burn far more slowly, but UV still causes long-term skin damage and increases skin cancer risk for everyone. The point of knowing your type is to plan exposure accurately — not to skip protection.
How does Sunwise use my Fitzpatrick skin type?
Sunwise pairs your Fitzpatrick type with the real-time UV index at your GPS location to compute a personal burn time in minutes. The result appears on your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch complication, and Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets — so the UV reading always answers a useful question: how long can I safely stay outside right now? See how to check the UV index on iPhone or read the comparison of the best UV index apps for iPhone to see how Sunwise stacks up against alternatives.
Get a UV forecast tailored to your skin type
Sunwise is a personalized UV forecast app for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Set your Fitzpatrick skin type once and every UV reading turns into a specific burn time you can plan around — with hourly and 7-day forecasts, native Apple Watch complications, and Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets.
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