Tanning may refer to:
- Tanning (leather), treating animal skins to produce leather
- Sun tanning, using the sun to darken pale skin
- Indoor tanning, the use of artificial light in place of the sun
- Sunless tanning, application of a stain or dye to the skin (active ingredient in tanning lotion products is dihydroxyacetone (DHA)).
- Physical punishment, metaphorically, such as a severe spanking which leaves clear marks