Counts of melanocytic naevi of 2 mm or greater diameter on all body sites were conducted in 197 Caucasian adults in Scotland. Mean naevus numbers were greater in young than in older adults, and in females than in males. Naevus counts on the upper limbs, lower limbs, and trunk were strongly and significantly correlated with each other and with whole body counts. Thus, where whole body counts are impractical, counting naevi at any of these individual sites should provide a satisfactory method for studying naevus distribution in large populations.