Skin Tone Names
Every common skin tone name in one table, light to deep, with a hex code and the other names it goes by. Skin color names and skin colour names mean the same thing. For the levels themselves, see the skin tone chart.
Skin tone names: the full list
| Name | Color | Level | Also called | Usual undertone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porcelain | #F6EDE4 | 1 | Pale, snow | Cool or neutral |
| Alabaster | #F6EDE4 | 1 | Very fair, milk | Neutral |
| Ivory | #F3E7DB | 2 | Light ivory, shell | Neutral to warm |
| Fair | #F3E7DB | 2 | Light, rosy fair | Cool (pink) |
| Cream | #F7EAD0 | 3 | Buttermilk, light warm | Warm (yellow) |
| Vanilla | #F7EAD0 | 3 | Light neutral | Neutral to warm |
| Light beige | #EADABA | 4 | Light medium, bisque | Neutral |
| Sand | #EADABA | 4 | Warm beige, buff | Warm |
| Nude | #EADABA | 4 | Neutral beige | Neutral |
| Beige | #D7BD96 | 5 | Medium, warm beige | Neutral to warm |
| Natural | #D7BD96 | 5 | Medium neutral | Neutral |
| Golden | #D7BD96 | 5 | Golden beige, warm medium | Warm (golden) |
| Olive | #A07E56 | 6 | Medium olive, Mediterranean | Olive (green-grey) |
| Honey | #A07E56 | 6 | Golden tan | Warm |
| Tan | #A07E56 | 6 | Medium tan, bronze | Warm to neutral |
| Caramel | #825C43 | 7 | Toffee, light brown | Warm |
| Amber | #825C43 | 7 | Golden brown | Warm (golden) |
| Chestnut | #825C43 | 7 | Warm brown, auburn brown | Warm (red) |
| Cinnamon | #825C43 | 7 | Spice, red brown | Warm (red) |
| Mocha | #604134 | 8 | Medium deep, café | Neutral |
| Cocoa | #604134 | 8 | Deep brown | Neutral to cool |
| Chocolate | #604134 | 8 | Rich brown | Neutral |
| Mahogany | #604134 | 8 | Red brown, deep auburn | Warm (red) |
| Espresso | #3A312A | 9 | Very deep, dark roast | Neutral to cool |
| Deep espresso | #292420 | 10 | Deepest, rich | Neutral |
| Ebony | #292420 | 10 | Deep, ink | Cool or neutral |
Names have no official color. Each is placed on the nearest level of the Monk Skin Tone Scale (Ellis Monk, Google, CC BY 4.0) and shown with that level's hex. The placement is ours, and every name can come with any undertone.
How beauty brands name skin tones
Foundation ranges are where most skin tone names come from. Brands mix three systems, often on the same bottle.
Numbers for depth
A number shows how light or deep the shade is. Lower numbers are lighter in most ranges, but the scale differs from brand to brand.
110 · 220 · 330 · 450 · 560
Letters for undertone
A letter shows undertone: W for warm, C for cool, N for neutral, sometimes O for olive. Some brands use P (pink) and Y (yellow) instead.
2N · 3W · 4C · 5O
Words for the feel
Descriptive names borrowed from food, materials and nature: porcelain, sand, honey, caramel, mocha, espresso. They are memorable but the least consistent between brands.
Porcelain · Sand · Honey · Mocha · Espresso
Because each brand sets its own scale, the same name can sit at different depths in two ranges. "Honey" in one brand may be a level lighter than "Honey" in another, so always check the swatch, not just the name.
One skin tone, many names: how they match up
The same skin can be called fair, ivory or porcelain depending on who is describing it. Here every name from the list is grouped under the level it is closest to.
Level 1
#F6EDE4Porcelain, Alabaster
Level 2
#F3E7DBIvory, Fair
Level 3
#F7EAD0Cream, Vanilla
Level 4
#EADABALight beige, Sand, Nude
Level 5
#D7BD96Beige, Natural, Golden
Level 6
#A07E56Olive, Honey, Tan
Level 7
#825C43Caramel, Amber, Chestnut, Cinnamon
Level 8
#604134Mocha, Cocoa, Chocolate, Mahogany
Level 9
#3A312AEspresso
Level 10
#292420Deep espresso, Ebony
If two names sit on the same level, they describe roughly the same depth. What separates them is usually undertone, so "sand" and "nude" may both be level 4 but one warm, one neutral. The skin tone chart explains each level in detail.
How to find your skin tone name
Find your level first, then your undertone. The name follows from both.
- 01
Use daylight
Stand by a window on a bright day, with no makeup or self-tan on your jawline.
- 02
Find your level
Compare your jawline with the skin tone chart and note the closest level.
- 03
Check undertone
Hold gold and silver near your face. Gold looks better: warm. Silver: cool. Both: neutral or olive.
- 04
Pick the name
In the table above, take the names at your level with your undertone, for example level 6 and warm: honey or tan.
Or let a photo name it
Our free seasonal color analysis reads your skin tone and undertone from one selfie and tells you your season with a basic palette. It runs in your browser, so the photo stays on your device.
Skin tone names FAQ
What are the names of skin tones?
Common skin tone names, from light to deep, include porcelain, ivory, fair, cream, beige, sand, golden, olive, honey, tan, caramel, chestnut, mocha, chocolate, espresso and ebony.
What are names for light skin tones?
Porcelain, alabaster, ivory, fair, cream and vanilla are the most common names for light skin.
What are names for medium skin tones?
Beige, natural, golden, olive, honey and tan are common names for medium skin, usually with a warm, neutral or olive undertone.
What are names for dark skin tones?
Caramel, chestnut, cinnamon, mocha, cocoa, chocolate, mahogany, espresso and ebony are common names for deep skin, from warm red-brown to cool brown-black.
Are skin colour names and skin tone names the same?
Yes. Colour is the British spelling of color, and skin tone, skin color and skin colour names all describe the same list.
Are skin tone names standardized?
No. Names are descriptive and every beauty brand uses its own. Number scales like the Monk Skin Tone Scale are the closest thing to a standard.
How do I know my skin tone name?
Find your depth level on a skin tone chart, check whether your undertone is warm, cool, neutral or olive, then pick the name that matches both in the table above.
Can I find my skin tone for free?
Yes. Upload a selfie to our free seasonal color analysis. It needs no email or sign-up and reads your skin tone, undertone and season from the photo.