HPV Types Explained: Low-Risk, High-Risk, and What the Numbers Mean

Last updated: June 9, 2026

Quick Answer

There are more than 200 types of HPV. Most are harmless. A few “low-risk” types — mainly 6 and 11 — cause genital warts, while about 14 “high-risk” types, especially 16 and 18, can lead to cancer if they persist for years. The type matters because it predicts the level of risk, not the outcome.

Key Takeaways

More than 200 distinct HPV types exist; roughly 40 affect the genital tract, and the rest primarily cause skin warts on hands and feet.
HPV types are split into two main categories: low-risk (associated with warts) and high-risk (associated with cancer if the infection persists).
HPV 6 and 11 are the most common low-risk types and account for about 90% of genital wart cases.
HPV 16 and 18 are the most clinically significant high-risk types, together responsible for the majority of HPV-related cancers worldwide.
A positive result for a high-risk type, including HPV 16 or 18, is not a cancer diagnosis — most high-risk infections clear on their own within one to two years.
Persistence of a high-risk infection over many years, not mere presence, is what drives cancer risk.
Cutaneous HPV types that cause common warts on hands and feet are entirely different strains from genital HPV types.
Gardasil 9, the vaccine used in most countries, protects against nine HPV types, including the highest-risk strains.
No antiviral treatment eliminates HPV itself; management focuses on treating the conditions HPV causes (warts, abnormal cells).
Knowing your HPV type gives your clinician useful information for deciding how closely to monitor you — it does not predict your personal outcome.

How Many HPV Types Are There?

More than 200 distinct HPV types have been identified and numbered by researchers. Of these, roughly 40 types infect the mucous membranes of the genital area, anus, mouth, and throat. The remaining types are predominantly cutaneous, meaning they infect the skin on the hands, feet, and other body surfaces.

The numbering system is straightforward: each newly characterized type receives the next available number in sequence. That is why you might hear references to HPV 6, HPV 16, HPV 51, or HPV 68 — these are simply catalog numbers assigned in the order of discovery, not rankings of severity.

Key distinctions by group:

Genital/mucosal types (approx. 40): Transmitted through sexual contact; further divided into low-risk and high-risk subtypes.
Cutaneous types (approx. 160+): Cause common warts, plantar warts, and flat warts on the skin; generally not sexually transmitted and not associated with genital disease.
Oncogenic (cancer-causing) types (approx. 14): A subset of the mucosal group; classified as high-risk by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

The sheer number of HPV types can feel overwhelming, but for clinical purposes the distinction that matters most is whether a type is low-risk or high-risk.

Low-Risk vs. High-Risk HPV Types: The Central Split

The most important thing to understand about HPV types is the low-risk versus high-risk classification. Low-risk types can cause visible warts but have no established link to cancer. High-risk types can, under specific circumstances (persistent infection over many years), lead to precancerous changes and eventually cancer — but most high-risk infections still clear without causing harm.

Feature	Low-Risk HPV Types	High-Risk HPV Types
Common examples	6, 11, 40, 42, 43, 44	16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, 58
Cancer link	None established	Yes, if infection persists
Typical outcome	Genital warts or no symptoms	Clears on its own in most cases
Causes warts?	Yes (genital, anal, oral)	Rarely; usually no visible warts
Detected by standard HPV test?	Not always (tests often screen for high-risk only)	Yes
Vaccine coverage	Gardasil 9 covers 6 and 11	Gardasil 9 covers 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, 58

The critical point: A high-risk type does not cause cancer automatically. The pathway from initial infection to cancer typically takes 10 to 20 years and requires the virus to persist without being cleared by the immune system. Regular screening (Pap smears and HPV co-testing) exists precisely to catch precancerous changes long before they become cancer.

High-Risk HPV Types: Which Ones and Why They Matter

Approximately 14 HPV types are classified as high-risk (oncogenic) by the IARC. These are the strains that, when they persist in cervical or other mucosal tissue over years, can trigger the cellular changes that lead to cancer.

The 14 high-risk HPV types recognized by IARC:

HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, and 68.

Among these, HPV 16 and 18 carry the highest oncogenic potential and are responsible for the majority of HPV-related cancers globally.

Cancers associated with high-risk HPV types include:

Cervical cancer (nearly all cases are HPV-related)
Oropharyngeal cancer (throat, tonsils, base of tongue)
Anal cancer
Vaginal and vulvar cancer
Penile cancer

What persistence means in practice: Most people who acquire a high-risk HPV type will clear the infection within one to two years through normal immune function. It is the minority of infections that persist beyond this window that carry meaningful cancer risk. This is why a single positive HPV test for a high-risk type, without other clinical findings, is not cause for alarm — it is a signal to monitor, not a diagnosis.

“A positive result for a high-risk HPV type tells your clinician which strain is present. It does not tell them — or you — that cancer is developing.”

HPV 16 and 18: The Two Most Significant Types

HPV 16 and HPV 18 are the two high-risk types that receive the most clinical attention, and for good reason. Together, these two strains account for approximately 70% of cervical cancers worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). HPV 16 is also the dominant type in oropharyngeal cancers, which have been rising in several countries over the past two decades.

Why HPV 16 and 18 stand out:

HPV 16 has the highest oncogenic potential of any HPV type. It integrates into host cell DNA more aggressively than most other strains and is found in a disproportionate share of cervical, anal, and throat cancers.
HPV 18 is particularly associated with adenocarcinoma of the cervix (a type that originates in glandular cells rather than surface cells), which can be harder to detect on a standard Pap smear.

What a positive HPV 16 or 18 result means for you:

If your clinician tells you that you tested positive for HPV 16 or 18, the appropriate response is closer monitoring — not panic. Current guidelines (such as those from the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, ASCCP) recommend colposcopy for patients with a positive HPV 16 or 18 result, even if the Pap smear result is normal. This is because the higher oncogenic potential of these types warrants a more thorough look at the cervix.

A positive result for HPV 16 or 18 is not a cancer diagnosis. It is information that helps your clinician decide how to monitor you.

Low-Risk HPV Types 6 and 11: The Wart-Causing Strains

HPV 6 and HPV 11 are the most common low-risk types and are responsible for approximately 90% of genital wart cases, according to the CDC. These types do not cause cancer. Their primary clinical significance is the physical and psychological impact of genital warts, which can be treated but may recur.

Key facts about HPV 6 and 11:

They cause condylomata acuminata (genital warts) — soft, flesh-colored growths that can appear on the genitals, anus, or surrounding skin.
They can also cause recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), a rare condition where warts grow in the throat and airways — most commonly in children born to mothers with active genital warts.
Neither type is detected by standard high-risk HPV tests, because clinicians are not looking for them in the context of cancer screening.
Genital warts caused by HPV 6 and 11 are treatable with topical medications, cryotherapy, or minor procedures, but the underlying virus may remain in the body.

Common mistake: Many people assume that genital warts mean they have a cancer risk. They do not. HPV 6 and 11 are low-risk types. If you have genital warts, ask your clinician whether additional screening for high-risk types is appropriate given your overall situation.

Cutaneous HPV Types: Skin Warts Are a Different Story

Common warts on the hands, plantar warts on the feet, and flat warts on the face or legs are caused by cutaneous HPV types — a completely separate group from the genital HPV types discussed above. This distinction matters because many people conflate all warts with genital HPV, which is inaccurate.

Examples of cutaneous HPV types:

HPV 1 and 2: Common causes of plantar warts (verrucae) and common hand warts.
HPV 3 and 10: Associated with flat warts, often seen on the face or the backs of hands.
HPV 4: Another common cause of plantar warts.

These cutaneous types are transmitted through direct skin contact or contact with contaminated surfaces (such as pool decks or locker room floors). They are not sexually transmitted in the same way as genital types, and they are not associated with genital disease or cancer in immunocompetent individuals.

Edge case: In people with significantly weakened immune systems (for example, organ transplant recipients on long-term immunosuppression), some cutaneous HPV types can contribute to a higher risk of certain skin cancers. This is a specialized clinical situation and not relevant to the general population.

If you have a wart on your hand or foot, it is not the same HPV strain as a genital infection, and it does not carry the same implications.

What Your HPV Type Means for You

Receiving an HPV type number in a lab result can feel alarming, but the type is a piece of clinical information, not a verdict. What happens next depends on which type you have, your other test results (such as Pap smear findings), your age, and your overall health.

How to interpret your result:

Low-risk type detected (e.g., 6 or 11): If you have genital warts, treatment options are available. There is no cancer risk associated with these types. Follow up with your clinician for management.
High-risk type detected, normal Pap smear: Your clinician will likely recommend repeat co-testing in one to three years, or colposcopy if HPV 16 or 18 is specifically identified.
High-risk type detected, abnormal Pap smear: Colposcopy is typically recommended to examine the cervix more closely and take biopsies if needed.
HPV detected, type not specified: Many standard HPV tests report only whether a high-risk type is present, without naming the specific strain. Some tests distinguish HPV 16/18 from other high-risk types. Ask your clinician what your test measured.

Questions to ask your clinician:

Which specific HPV type or types were detected?
Does my result indicate HPV 16 or 18 specifically, or just “high-risk HPV”?
What follow-up is recommended based on my result and my Pap smear findings?
How often should I be screened going forward?
Does my partner need to be tested or treated?

The type gives your clinician a map. It tells them which road you are on, not where the road ends.

Which HPV Types Cause Cancer, and How Does That Process Work?

High-risk HPV types cause cancer through a specific biological mechanism, not through simple presence in the body. When a high-risk type persists in mucosal cells, the viral proteins E6 and E7 interfere with the normal tumor-suppressor proteins (p53 and Rb) that keep cell growth in check. Over years, this interference can allow abnormal cells to accumulate mutations and progress toward cancer.

The progression timeline (cervical cancer as the primary example):

Initial HPV infection (often no symptoms)
Most infections clear within 1 to 2 years
Persistent infection leads to low-grade cellular changes (LSIL/CIN 1)
Some progress to high-grade changes (HSIL/CIN 2-3) over several years
Without treatment, a subset of high-grade changes can progress to invasive cancer — typically over 10 to 20 years

This slow progression is why regular screening is so effective. Precancerous changes can be identified and treated long before cancer develops.

HPV types most strongly linked to specific cancers:

Cancer Type	Primary HPV Types Involved
Cervical	16, 18, 31, 33, 45
Oropharyngeal	16 (dominant)
Anal	16, 18
Vulvar	16, 33
Vaginal	16, 18
Penile	16, 18

How Do HPV Types Spread, and Which Affect Men vs. Women?

All mucosal HPV types spread through direct skin-to-skin or mucous membrane contact, primarily during sexual activity. This includes vaginal, anal, and oral sex. HPV does not require penetrative intercourse to transmit — genital skin contact is sufficient.

Spread is not meaningfully different between HPV types. Both low-risk and high-risk types spread through the same routes. The difference between them is what they do once they infect cells, not how they are transmitted.

HPV in men vs. women:

In women: High-risk HPV types are the primary cause of cervical cancer. They also contribute to vaginal, vulvar, and anal cancers. Routine HPV testing is integrated into cervical cancer screening guidelines.
In men: There is currently no FDA-approved HPV test for routine screening in men. High-risk types, especially HPV 16, are strongly linked to oropharyngeal cancer (which is more common in men than women) and anal cancer (particularly in men who have sex with men). Penile cancer is relatively rare but also HPV-associated.
Both sexes: Low-risk types 6 and 11 cause genital warts in both men and women. High-risk types can infect and persist in any genital or anal tissue regardless of sex.

The absence of routine HPV testing for men does not mean men are unaffected. Vaccination is recommended for all sexes precisely because HPV circulates through sexual networks and affects everyone.

How Do You Know Which HPV Type You Have?

The only way to know which HPV type you have is through a laboratory test that specifically identifies the strain. Standard HPV tests used in cervical cancer screening detect whether high-risk types are present and, in many cases, distinguish HPV 16 and 18 from the other high-risk types. They do not typically identify low-risk types like 6 or 11.

Types of HPV tests available:

High-risk HPV test (pooled): Reports whether any of the approximately 14 high-risk types are present. Does not name the specific type.
Extended genotyping test: Identifies HPV 16 and 18 separately from other high-risk types. Some versions also identify additional individual types (e.g., HPV 31, 33, 45).
Research-grade genotyping: Used in clinical studies; can identify specific types across a broader panel. Not routine in clinical practice.

For genital warts: A clinician can diagnose genital warts visually. Biopsy or typing is not usually needed to confirm HPV 6 or 11 as the cause, though biopsy may be done to rule out other conditions.

There is no reliable at-home HPV typing test available as of 2026. Self-collected vaginal swabs for HPV testing are being studied and are available in some countries, but genotyping from self-collected samples varies in accuracy.

Can HPV Types Be Cured or Prevented?

There is no antiviral treatment that eliminates HPV infection itself. However, the conditions HPV causes — genital warts and precancerous cell changes — can be treated effectively. And crucially, HPV infection can be prevented through vaccination.

Prevention:

Vaccination is the most effective prevention strategy. Gardasil 9 (the vaccine used in most countries as of 2026) protects against nine HPV types: 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58. This covers the two most common low-risk types and seven high-risk types.
Condoms reduce transmission risk but do not eliminate it, because HPV can infect skin not covered by a condom.
Regular screening (Pap smears and HPV co-testing) does not prevent infection but catches precancerous changes early, when they are highly treatable.

Treatment of HPV-related conditions:

Genital warts: Topical treatments (imiquimod, podophyllotoxin), cryotherapy, laser, or surgical removal.
Cervical precancerous changes (CIN 2/3): LEEP (loop electrosurgical excision procedure), cryotherapy, or cone biopsy.
HPV itself: No treatment; the immune system clears most infections within one to two years.

Can vaccines protect against all HPV types? No. Gardasil 9 covers nine types, which account for roughly 90% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts. It does not cover all 200+ HPV types. Vaccination is most effective when given before exposure to HPV, ideally before sexual activity begins, but it provides benefit for many people up to age 45.

How Long Do Different HPV Types Stay in Your System?

Most HPV infections — regardless of type — clear within one to two years through normal immune function. Studies suggest that approximately 90% of new HPV infections resolve within two years (Moscicki et al., Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2004; PMID: 15195251).

Factors that affect clearance:

Immune function: People with weakened immune systems (HIV, immunosuppressive therapy) clear HPV more slowly and are at higher risk of persistent infection.
HPV type: Some evidence suggests HPV 16 persists longer than other high-risk types, which may partly explain its higher oncogenic potential.
Age at infection: Younger people tend to clear infections more efficiently than older adults.
Co-infections: Having multiple HPV types simultaneously does not necessarily slow clearance of any individual type.

Can you get multiple HPV types at once? Yes. It is entirely possible to carry more than one HPV type simultaneously. This is not uncommon, particularly in people with multiple sexual partners or those who were not vaccinated. Having multiple types does not automatically increase cancer risk proportionally, but it does mean that each high-risk type present is a separate consideration for your clinician.

When does HPV “go away”? Tests may become negative over time as viral load drops below detectable levels, but this does not necessarily mean the virus is completely eliminated from the body. It may remain at very low levels. For most people, a negative follow-up test is a reassuring clinical finding.

Which HPV Types Are Most Common in Teenagers and Young Adults?

HPV is most commonly acquired in the years shortly after sexual activity begins, which for many people is during the teenage years and early twenties. Studies consistently show the highest prevalence of new HPV infections in people aged 15 to 24.

In teenagers and young adults:

Infection with any HPV type is common and, in most cases, clears without intervention.
The high-risk types most frequently detected in young people mirror the overall population: HPV 16, 18, 31, and 33 are among the most commonly found high-risk strains.
Low-risk types 6 and 11 are also frequently acquired in this age group.
Because the immune system in young people is generally strong, clearance rates are high.

Why vaccination before exposure matters: The HPV vaccines work best when given before any exposure to the types they cover. In the United States, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends routine vaccination at age 11 to 12, with catch-up vaccination through age 26 for those not previously vaccinated. Shared clinical decision-making applies for ages 27 to 45.

The fact that HPV is common in teenagers does not mean parents or young people should be alarmed. It means vaccination at the recommended age is one of the most effective preventive steps available.

Frequently Asked Questions About HPV Types

How many HPV types are there?

More than 200 HPV types have been identified. Roughly 40 infect the genital and mucosal areas; the rest primarily cause skin warts on hands, feet, and other body surfaces.

What is the difference between low-risk and high-risk HPV types?

Low-risk HPV types (mainly 6 and 11) cause genital warts but have no established link to cancer. High-risk types (mainly 16 and 18, plus about 12 others) can lead to cancer if the infection persists for many years without being cleared by the immune system.

Is HPV 16 or 18 a cancer diagnosis?

No. Testing positive for HPV 16 or 18 means a high-risk type is present. It is not a cancer diagnosis. Most people with HPV 16 or 18 will clear the infection without developing cancer. A positive result warrants closer monitoring, not panic.

Which HPV types cause genital warts?

HPV 6 and HPV 11 cause approximately 90% of genital wart cases. These are low-risk types with no cancer link. Other low-risk types (40, 42, 43, 44) can occasionally cause warts as well.

Are the HPV types that cause skin warts the same as genital HPV types?

No. Common warts on hands and plantar warts on feet are caused by cutaneous HPV types (such as HPV 1, 2, 3, and 4), which are entirely different strains from the mucosal types that cause genital warts or cancer. They are transmitted differently and have different clinical implications.

Can you have more than one HPV type at the same time?

Yes. Co-infection with multiple HPV types is possible and not uncommon. Each type present is assessed separately by your clinician. Having multiple types does not automatically multiply cancer risk, but it does require careful clinical evaluation.

Does a negative HPV test mean you have never had HPV?

Not necessarily. A negative test means no detectable HPV was found at the time of testing. HPV may have been present previously and cleared, or it may be present at a level below the test’s detection threshold.

Can men be tested for HPV types?

There is no FDA-approved routine HPV test for men as of 2026. Anal Pap smears and HPV testing may be offered to men at higher risk of anal cancer (such as men who have sex with men and people living with HIV). Penile or throat HPV testing is not part of standard clinical care.

Do all high-risk HPV types carry the same cancer risk?

No. HPV 16 carries the highest oncogenic potential among all types. HPV 18 is the second most significant. The other high-risk types (31, 33, 45, 52, 58, and others) carry lower but still meaningful risk if they persist.

Does Gardasil 9 cover all HPV types?

No. Gardasil 9 covers nine types: 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58. These account for approximately 90% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts, but more than 200 HPV types exist. The vaccine does not cover all of them.

Conclusion

Understanding HPV types comes down to one organizing idea: the type predicts the level of risk, not the outcome. More than 200 HPV types exist, but the ones that matter most in clinical practice are a small group of mucosal strains — roughly 14 high-risk types that can lead to cancer if they persist, and a handful of low-risk types that cause warts but not cancer.

Actionable next steps:

If you have received an HPV type result, bring it to your clinician and ask specifically whether HPV 16 or 18 was detected, and what follow-up is recommended based on your full results.
If you have not been vaccinated against HPV and are under 45, ask your clinician whether Gardasil 9 is appropriate for you.
If you are due for cervical cancer screening, schedule it. Regular Pap smears and HPV co-testing remain the most reliable tools for catching precancerous changes early.
If you have genital warts, know that these are caused by low-risk types and do not indicate cancer risk — but they do warrant treatment and a conversation about whether additional high-risk HPV screening is appropriate.
If you have a wart on your hand or foot, it is caused by a different HPV type entirely and is not related to genital HPV.

A type number in a lab report is information. It is the starting point for a clinical conversation, not the end of one.

References

World Health Organization (WHO). Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Cervical Cancer. WHO Fact Sheet. 2023. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/human-papillomavirus-(hpv)-and-cervical-cancer
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Human Papillomavirus (HPV). 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/index.html
National Cancer Institute (NCI). HPV and Cancer. 2023. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/infectious-agents/hpv-and-cancer
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans: Volume 100B — Biological Agents. IARC. 2012.
Moscicki AB, Shiboski S, Hills NK, et al. Regression of low-grade squamous intra-epithelial lesions in young women. Lancet. 2004;364(9446):1678-1683. PMID: 15530628. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15530628/
Muñoz N, Bosch FX, de Sanjosé S, et al. Epidemiologic classification of human papillomavirus types associated with cervical cancer. New England Journal of Medicine. 2003;348(6):518-527. PMID: 12571259. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12571259/
American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP). 2019 ASCCP Risk-Based Management Consensus Guidelines. 2020. https://www.asccp.org/management-guidelines
NHS. Human Papillomavirus (HPV). 2023. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/human-papilloma-virus-hpv/

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions about your health.

Author: Dr. Laura Bennett, OB/GYN — Board-Certified Gynecologist, Women’s Integrative Health Center (Private Practice) | Sources: WHO, CDC, ACOG, NHS, NCI, peer-reviewed literature | Last updated: June 9, 2026