Maine Coon Colors & Patterns

A Rainbow of Possibilities

One of the most exciting aspects of Maine Coons is the incredible variety of colors and patterns they come in. Unlike some breeds limited to a few color options, Maine Coons are accepted in nearly every color and pattern combination except those indicating hybridization (chocolate, lavender, and pointed patterns like Siamese). This diversity means you can find a Maine Coon in almost any color you prefer while still getting all the wonderful breed characteristics.

Understanding Color Categories

Maine Coon colors fall into several main categories. Solid colors show one uniform color throughout the coat. Tabby patterns display stripes, swirls, or spots. Tortoiseshell cats have patches of different colors. Smoke cats appear solid until you part the fur to reveal white roots. Shaded cats show color-tipped hairs creating a gradient effect. Each category contains multiple variations, creating endless beautiful combinations.

Solid Colors

Solid Maine Coons have one uniform color from root to tip throughout their entire coat. Common solid colors include:

• Black: Dense coal black from nose to tail tip
• White: Pure glistening white, often with blue or odd eyes
• Blue: Uniform blue-gray coloring
• Red: Deep, rich red throughout
• Cream: Buff cream color, lighter than red

True solids are actually quite rare in Maine Coons, as the breed naturally tends toward patterning. Even cats that appear solid often show faint tabby markings, especially in bright light or as kittens.

Tabby Patterns - The Classic Maine Coon Look

Tabby patterns are perhaps the most iconic Maine Coon look, likely because it reflects their natural, wild heritage. There are four main tabby pattern types:

Classic Tabby

Also called "blotched" or "marbled," classic tabbies display bold, swirled patterns on the sides resembling a marble cake or bull's-eye. They have distinctive "butterfly" patterns on the shoulders and three stripes running down the spine.

Mackerel Tabby

The most common pattern, mackerel tabbies show narrow parallel stripes running down the sides like fish bones. They have continuous or broken lines running vertically from the spine.

Ticked Tabby

Ticked tabbies (sometimes called agouti) have individual hairs banded with different colors creating a salt-and-pepper appearance without distinct stripes or spots. They may show some facial markings and tabby "M" on the forehead.

Spotted Tabby

Less common in Maine Coons, spotted tabbies show distinct spots rather than stripes, though these spots are often interrupted mackerel stripes.

Silver, Smoke, and Shaded Varieties

These stunning variations occur when the hair shaft is colored only at the tip while the base remains white or pale. Silver tabbies have white undercoats with colored tips creating a sparkling appearance. Smoke cats appear solid until they move, revealing their pale undercoats. Shaded cats show gradual color gradation from dark tips to pale roots, creating a beautiful shimmering effect.

Tortoiseshell and Calico

Tortoiseshell Maine Coons display a patchwork of red and black (or their dilute versions: cream and blue) throughout their coats. These cats are almost always female due to the genetics involved. Calicos are tortoiseshells with white added, creating a tri-color pattern. The amount of white determines whether a cat is called a calico (more white) or tortoiseshell with white (less white).

Bi-colors and Particolors

Bi-color Maine Coons combine white with any other color. The distribution of white varies considerably:

• Van pattern: Color only on head and tail, body mostly white
• Tuxedo: White chest, paws, and belly with colored back
• Bi-color: Roughly equal amounts of white and color
• Mitted: White paws like little mittens

Color Genetics Simplified

Cat color genetics can get complex, but some basics help understand what colors are possible from specific pairings. The basic colors are black and red. All other colors are variations of these. Blue is diluted black, cream is diluted red. Silver is a modifier that removes pigment from hair shafts. Two blue parents can only produce blue kittens. Two cream parents can only produce cream offspring. But most pairings create variety, which is why litters often contain multiple colors and patterns.

Does Color Affect Personality?

While some believe certain colors have personality tendencies (reds being feisty, for example), research doesn't support significant color-related personality differences. What matters far more is genetics from parents, early socialization, and environment. Choose a color you love, but select your kitten based on health, temperament, and how well they fit your lifestyle.

Color Changes with Age

Maine Coon kittens often look quite different as adults. Tabby patterns become clearer with age. Smoke and silver cats may appear solid as kittens before their pale undercoats become apparent. Some colors deepen or lighten with maturity. This transformation is part of the joy of raising a Maine Coon—watching them develop into their adult coloring over several years.