Maine Coon Colors and Patterns are Simply Gorgeous

Maine Coon cats are available in over 84 colors and pattern variations.  Isn’t this fantastic news? As a result, most pet owners don’t realize all of the different options when it comes to the Maine Coon Cat. The table below shows all of the color combinations along with the corresponding color codes that you can see from a Maine Coon Kitten.

As you’re checking out the photos that we’ve found of some of the different colors, there are a few things interesting to remember as far as genetics are concerned.  Male kittens always obtain both color genes from their mother. The male offspring in a litter will always be either the color of the mother or the dilute form of mom’s color. Furthermore, female kittens will be a combination of both parent’s colors. Knowing this information, it’s easy to predict the expected colors of kittens from the parents.

There’s plenty of information to read about feline genetics and how Maine Coons get their colors and patterns on the CFA website.

Solid/Smoke Colors

Solid colors have no pattern (obviously). Black and Blue torties are a combination of solid colors.  A solid white cat is masking another color, usually the color of the parent.

When we refer to the “smoke” color in a Maine Coon cat, we’re actually referring to the silver undercoat that is seen on a solid color cat. It’s not always easy to detect a smoke undercoat in kittens, as this can develop and become more prominent with age.  It’s usually detected by checking the roots of the hair shaft in the cat. A true smoke color will have silver roots to the hair shaft.

NOTE: The silver coat in a solid colored Maine Coon is referred to as smoke. In a tabby cat, it’s referred to as silver.

Classic Tabby/Silver Colors

There’s something so regal and beautiful about a Classic Tabby Maine Coon. The tabbies are the most sought after Maine Coon colors.

For cats with white patches on their chest, paws, and paws, the color code 09 will be added. Since this indicates “white”. Kitties with larger amounts of white (up to around 50%) the code is 03. Cats that exhibit a very large amount of white, above 50%, the code 02 is used, described as harlequin. Maine Coons that only show color around the ears and tail, the code for van should be used.

NOTE: If you don’t see a photo example of one of the colors listed below it’s because I’m still searching for a good photo from one of the catteries that have allowed me to use their photos.  Eventually, I will have great examples of every color option available right here on this post. Do you have a beautiful photo of your Maine Coon cat in one of the missing colors that you’ll allow me to use here? Please send me a message and let me know.

All of the photos on this website are being used with permission from their owners:

Black Maine Coon [n] Our Black Kittens: Freddie Prince Of Darkness Hitman
Black and White [n 09] Sassy Koonz Black and White Kittens: Dio Moby Dick
Black Smoke [ns] Sassy Koonz Black Smoke Kittens: Zakk Miss May
Black Smoke and White [ns 09] Read about our Black Smoke Maine Coon (with white) Sassy Koonz Black Smoke and White Kittens: Butler Ozzy Torry Rendezvous
Black/Brown Tabby [n 22] Sassy Koonz Black Tabby Kittens: Mercury
Black Silver Tabby [ns 22] Check out our Black Silver Maine Coon Sassy Koonz Black Silver Kittens: Loverboy Pink Clare
Black Silver Tabby with White [ns 22 09] Sassy Koonz Black Silver Tabby with White Kittens: Lambert Kiss Me Deadly (BiColor)
Black Tortie [f]
Black Tortie and White [f 09] Read More About our Calico Maine Coon
Black Smoke Tortie [fs 09] Sassy Koonz Black Smoke Tortie Kittens: Graffiti
Black Torbie [f 22] Come meet our Black Torbie Maine Coon Sassy Koonz Black Torbie Kittens: Clover
Black Torbie with White [f 22 09] Sassy Koonz Black Torbie with White Kittens: Zsa Zsa Shot of Poison
Black Silver Torbie [fs 22] Sassy Koonz Black Silver Torbie Kittens: Marilyn Stiletto
Blue [a] Sassy Koonz Blue Kittens: Sweet Leaf Kashmir
Blue Smoke [as] Sassy Koonz Blue Smoke Kittens: Bogie Bijou
Blue Smoke and White [as 09] Sassy Koonz Blue Smoke and White Kittens: Nib
Blue Tabby [a 22]
Blue Silver Tabby [as 22]
Blue Silver Tabby and White [as 22 09] Sassy Koonz Blue Silver with White Tabby Kittens: Innuendo
Blue Tortie [g]
Blue Tortie with White [g 09] Sassy Koonz Blue Tortie with White Kittens: Darlene Love
Blue Smoke Tortie [gs]
Blue Torbie
Blue Silver Torbie
Red [d] Sassy Koonz Red Kittens: Tangerine
Red Smoke [ds]
Red Tabby [d 22]
Red Tabby with White [ 22 09] Sassy Koonz Red Tabby with White Kittens: Syd Floyd Barrett Gilmour Cowboy Manson (BiColor)
Red Smoke and White [d 22 09] See Our Red Smoke with White Maine Coon
Red Silver Tabby [ds 22] Sassy Koonz Red Silver Tabby Kittens: Kaboom
Red Silver Tabby with White [ds 09] Sassy Koonz Red Silver Tabby with White Kittens: Rex Kiss Me Twice
Cream [e]
Cream Smoke [es] Sassy Koonz Cream Smoke Kittens: Lucas
Cream Tabby [e 22] with White Sassy Koonz Cream Tabby with White Kittens: Vinny
Cream Silver Tabby ]es 22]
White [w] More about the White Maine Coon

Rhonda Lund at Hissy Fit Cattery
Katrin Demitz of Big Hannibals Maine Coons

If you’re in love with any of the colors that you see on this page (there’s alot to choose from) then head over to our available kittens page and see if your favorite color is available. If you have your eye on a certain color and you’re hoping to get a kitten from one of your preferred Maine Coon Breeders, then talk them about what colors they can produce and make sure that they have what you’re looking for!