Cat Colors and International Designations

Here is a brief overview of the most common cat colors and their international designations.

Basic Color Designations

Code	Name	Characteristic
a	blue	The body is completely colored in a color ranging from dark gray to light gray with a blue tint. To look at such cats
b	chocolate	The body is completely colored in brown. To look at such cats
c	lilac	The body is completely colored in a soft gray tone with a barely noticeable pink tint. To look at such cats
d	red	Shades of red of varying intensity, typically with a pronounced tabby pattern. To look at such cats
e	cream	A delicate cream color with a reddish tint all over the body. To look at such cats
f	black tortie	Patches of red and black color, randomly distributed all over the body, are characteristic of females. To look at such cats
g	blue tortie	Patches of cream and gray (blue) color, randomly distributed all over the body, are characteristic of females.
h	chocolate tortie	Patches of chocolate and red (orange) color, randomly distributed all over the body, are characteristic of females.
j	lilac tortie	Patches of lilac and cream color, randomly distributed all over the body, are characteristic of females.
n	black, seal, brown, ruddy, tawny	Solid black — in solid blacks. Black markings — in pointed cats. Dark brown color in Burmese cats. Dark brick color in Abyssinian cats. To look at such cats
o	cinnamon, sorrel	The cinnamon coat color in Abyssinian and Somali cats is a copper-orange color with chocolate brown ticking. To look at such cats
p	fawn	Beige hair colors with a yellowish-brown tint. To look at such cats
q	cinnamon tortie	Patches of reddish and cinnamon shades, randomly distributed all over the body, are characteristic of females.
r	fawn tortie	Patches of reddish and cinnamon shades, randomly distributed all over the body, are characteristic of females.
s	silver	The roots of the hairs are almost devoid of pigment and have a silvery tint, while the tips are colored. The silver can be expressed more or less intensively. To look at such cats
w	white	Solid white color all over the body. To look at such cats
y	golden	The roots of the hairs are colored in a reddish-orange shade, while the tips are brighter. The golden color is always accompanied by green eyes. To look at such cats
nt	amber	Rare coat color of Norwegian cats. Bright caramel shade.
at	light amber	Rare coat color of Norwegian cats. Lighter shade.
dt	red based on amber	Rare coat color of Norwegian cats. Deeper amber shade, closer to red.
et	cream based on amber	Rare coat color of Norwegian cats. Pale amber shade.
ft	amber tortie	Rare coat color of Norwegian cats. Combination of deep amber and black in a chaotic pattern on the body.
gt	light amber tortie	The same rare coat color of Norwegian cats, but with areas of pale amber shade.

Cat colors based on the amount of white

Code	Name	Characteristic
01	van	More than 90% white in color, without colored spots on the back, with a small colored spot on one or both ears, and a fully colored tail. To look at such cats
02	harlequin	More than 90% white and 3-7 colored spots on the back, plus a fully colored tail. To look at such cats
03	bicolour	More than 90% white and 3-7 colored spots on the back, plus a fully colored tail. To look at such cats
04	mitted	Pointed coat with white: white on the front paws is located symmetrically, not extending beyond the fold. White on the face is not always present, but is desirable. Its symmetrical arrangement in the form of an inverted letter V is more valued.
05	snowshoe	Pointed coat with white with white on the paws and face. White markings on the body are allowed.
09	any other amount of white	Coats with white that do not match the descriptions above. To look at such cats

Cat colors based on the type of pattern

Code	Name	Characteristic
11	shaded	1/3 of the upper part of the hair is darkened, the rest of the hair is bleached (in silver) or has a reddish-brown tint (in gold). To look at such cats
12	shell	1/3 of the upper part of the hair is darkened, the rest of the hair is bleached (in silver) or has a reddish-brown tint (in gold).
21	unspecified tabby	On the forehead, a mark in the shape of M. The pattern on the body is not drawn. Each hair has a zonal color (alternating rings of the main and background colors).
22	blotched tabby	On the forehead, a mark in the shape of M. The pattern on the body is not drawn. Each hair has a zonal color (alternating rings of the main and background colors). To look at such cats
23	mackerel tabby	On the forehead, a mark in the shape of M. From the corner of the eye, a continuous line, a pattern on the cheeks. A narrow continuous stripe runs along the spine, and vertical narrow stripes of the main color run on the sides. The color is clear and contrasting. To look at such cats
24	spotted tabby	On the forehead, a mark in the shape of the letter M. From the corner of the eye, a continuous line, a pattern on the cheeks. Along the spine, on the belly and on the sides, there are clear spots. To look at such cats
25	ticked tabby	On the forehead, a mark in the shape of the letter M. From the corner of the eye, a continuous line, a drawing on the cheeks. Along the spine, on the belly and on the sides, there are clear spots. To look at such cats

Pointed and breed colors

Code	Name	Characteristic
31	Burmese pointed	The body has a rich tone, and the legs, tail, ears, and mask on the face are brightly colored. The markings have a weak contrast with the body color. The lower part of the body is slightly lighter.
32	Tonkinese pointed	The body has a light tone and clear markings. The entire body is as if covered with a golden moiré. Aquamarine eye color.
33	Siamese pointed	The body has a light tone and clear markings. The entire body is as if covered with a golden moiré. Aquamarine eye color.
34	Singapura color / sable seal sepia ticked	The undercoat is ivory, the pads of the whiskers, chin, chest, and belly are painted in a light beige shade. Ticked tabby with 4 or more rings on each hair. Stripes on the inside of the front legs and on the hocks of the hind legs. A mark in the shape of the letter M on the face, framing around the eyes.
35	ticking	Ticked coat with a uniform combination of darker and lighter rings on each hair. A dark stripe on the back and lighter areas around the lips and on the chin are allowed.

Eye color

Code	Name	Characteristic
61	blue	Different intensities are possible, but a saturated blue and blue color is more valued. To look at such cats
62	orange	Different shades are possible — copper, amber, golden, yellow, and orange. To look at such cats
63	odd eyed	Heterochromia is when both eyes have a different color (different shades are also possible within one eye). To look at such cats
64	green	From weakly saturated, almost hazel, to intense bright green-colored. To look at such cats
65	Burmese eye colour	Eyes of yellow-colored, changing tone depending on the lighting.
66	Tonkinese eye colour	Aquamarine eyes
67	Siamese eye colour	Different shades of blue