SECTION 01
What is the 12-season system?
The 12-season system splits the four seasons, spring, summer, autumn, and winter, into three subtypes each, for twelve types in total.
Within each season it separates by brightness and clarity: bright, light, and muted. It's the older, more familiar framework.
SECTION 02
What is the 16-type system?
The 16-type system builds on the same four-season structure but splits each season into four subtypes, for sixteen types in total.
Types are named season-first with a modifier, like Soft Summer, Dark Autumn, or Bright Winter. The extra split gives it more types to work with.
SECTION 03
Where the two systems overlap
12-season and 16-type share the same foundation. Both start by sorting skin into warm or cool, temperature, then refine by brightness and clarity.
The difference is how far that second step goes. 12-season splits each season three ways, 16-type splits it four ways, which is why the type counts differ.
SECTION 04
The four axes behind a 16-type result
A 16-type reading reads four dimensions together.
- iTemperature: whether skin leans toward warm or cool undertones
- iiValue: whether the best contrasting colors run light or dark
- iiiChroma: whether flattering colors are clear and saturated or soft and muted
- ivContrast: how much difference there is between features across the face
SECTION 05
Which system is more precise?
By type count alone, 16-type is finer-grained. Splitting each season four ways instead of three separates close neighbors like muted and soft, or deep and dark.
But precision comes from the measurement, not the label. Draping, holding fabric against the face and comparing by eye, is sensitive to lighting and to how experienced the reader is: the same face can score differently on different days.
SECTION 06
How to get an accurate 16-type reading
Accuracy comes from measurement conditions, not the number of categories. We diagnose all 16 types alongside the four coordinates, temperature, value, chroma, and contrast, and correct for lighting before analyzing your photo.
Your photo is discarded the moment analysis finishes. No sign-up, no cost: check your type right now.