How does your skin handle the sun?
Ten quick questions pin down your Fitzpatrick phototype — the scale dermatologists use to describe how skin burns and tans. Then tell us today's UV index and we'll turn it into a plan: how fast unprotected skin like yours can redden, the SPF to wear, and when to reapply.
Part 1 — Your phototype
0 of 10 answeredPart 2 — Today's sun, your plan
Finish the quiz (or set your type above) to unlockPick today's UV index — it's in every weather app:
Your phototype result — saved on this device, and to your free account when you're signed in. See or clear it in Your data.
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How this tool works
The quiz is the classic Fitzpatrick self-assessment used in dermatology clinics: ten questions covering your inherited coloring (eyes, hair, unexposed skin, freckling), how your skin actually responds to sun (burning, tanning, and how quickly you go brown), and your recent sun habits. Each answer scores 0–4 points, and the 0–40 total maps to one of six phototypes — Type I burns fastest, Type VI essentially never burns. Every one of the six needs sun protection: no phototype is immune to UV damage or skin cancer, and in deeper skin tones cancers are often caught later, when they are harder to treat.
The sun-plan section pairs your phototype with the day's UV index using a standard erythemal model: each phototype has a typical minimal erythemal dose (the UV energy at which skin begins to redden), and one UV-index unit delivers roughly 1.5 J/m² of that energy per minute. Dividing one by the other gives an approximate time-to-redden — a population estimate, not a personal countdown, since altitude, reflection, medications, and cloud cover all shift it. The tool is educational and is not medical advice or a diagnosis; for personal guidance, see a board-certified dermatologist.
Common questions
What is my Fitzpatrick skin type?
The Fitzpatrick scale, developed by Harvard dermatologist Thomas Fitzpatrick in 1975, sorts skin into six phototypes (I–VI) based on how it responds to sun — from Type I, which always burns and never tans, to Type VI, which is deeply pigmented and essentially never burns. The quiz on this page estimates yours from ten questions about your natural coloring, your burn and tan history, and your sun habits.
What SPF should I use?
Broad-spectrum SPF 30 is the dermatology-standard daily minimum for every skin tone. Very fair skin (Types I–II) and anyone facing high UV should step up to SPF 50. The bigger lever is quantity: lab SPF assumes a layer most people never apply, so a generous coat of SPF 30 beats a thin smear of SPF 100 every time.
How long can I stay in the sun without burning?
It depends on your phototype and the UV index. Very fair skin at UV 8 can start to redden in roughly ten minutes, while deeply pigmented skin at the same UV may take over an hour. These are population estimates, not personal timers — and UV damage to skin cells begins well before any redness shows, so the burn window is context, not a budget to spend.
Do dark skin tones need sunscreen?
Yes. Melanin provides real but partial protection — roughly equivalent to a low single-digit SPF at most — and it does not prevent UV-driven dark marks, uneven tone, or melasma, which are the top sun-related concerns for deeper skin. Skin cancer is less common in Types V–VI but tends to be diagnosed at a later, more dangerous stage. Tinted mineral or modern invisible chemical formulas avoid the white cast.
How often should you reapply sunscreen?
Every two hours while you are outdoors, and immediately after swimming, toweling off, or heavy sweating. Water-resistant labels are only rated for 40 or 80 minutes in water. Reapplication matters more than the number on the bottle, because sunscreen thins, rubs off, and degrades continuously once applied.