The Monk Skin Tone Scale, explained (and how to find your number)

Where it comes from

Dr. Ellis Monk developed the scale from his research on skin tone. Google released it in May 2022 and uses it to check that products such as its camera and image search work well across skin tones. The scale is free for anyone to use.

Monk and Fitzpatrick are different

The Fitzpatrick scale, from 1975, sorts skin into 6 types by how it reacts to the sun: it was made for dermatology, not for color. The Monk scale has 10 shades and describes the color itself, with more steps for medium and deep skin, where older scales lump many tones together.

How to use your number for makeup

• 1 to 3, light: sheer coverage, soft pinks and peaches; go easy on bronzer, it can look muddy.
• 4 to 6, medium: the widest choice of blush and lip colors; bronzer one or two shades deeper than your skin.
• 7 to 10, deep: rich, saturated colors such as berry, brick, plum and deep coral, and highlighters with gold or copper; avoid ashy or gray-based shades.

Depth plus undertone equals your shade

Your Monk number tells you how light or deep your foundation should be. Your undertone tells you which family: pink, neutral, golden or olive. You need both: the right depth in the wrong undertone still looks off.

Questions