Objective Skin autofluorescence, a non-invasive measure of the accumulation for advanced glycation end products (AGEs), has been reported to be a useful marker for diabetic vascular complications. However, skin autofluorescence has not been sufficiently evaluated in Korean diabetic patients. The aim of this study was to compare AGEs levels between diabetic and non-diabetic patients and to investigate the relationship between skin autofluorescence and clinical variables. Methods Subjects in this cross-sectional study comprised 36 Korean patients with type 2 diabetes and non-diabetic subjects. Clinical data were obtained through medical record review. Skin autofluorescence was assessed using an autofluorescence reader in a seated position, at the volar side of the lower arm. Autofluorescence was expressed in arbitrary units (AU). Results Skin fluorescence was significantly higher in diabetic patients compared with age matched control subjects (2.38 ± 0.52 vs 1.95 ± 0.41, P < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis showed significant correlation of skin autofluorescence with age (β = 0.43, P < 0.01), diabetes duration (β = 0.30, P < 0.05), estimated glomerular filtration rate (β = 0.77, P < 0.05), severity of diabetic nephropathy (β = 0.88, P < 0.05) in the diabetes group (R2 = 42.8%) and with age (β = 0.72, P < 0.001) in the control group (R2 = 42.6%). Conclusion This study confirms in the Korean diabetic patients that skin autofluorescence is higher compared with age matched control subjects and is associated with diabetic nephropathy. Our results are preliminary and further investigation is needed into whether skin autofluorescence is a relevant marker for predicting progression of various vascular complication and mortality in Korean patients with diabetes.