MAINE COON COLORS
A Palette of Nature's Finest Hues

In Maine Coons, coat colors usually have both formal names and commonly used shorthand terms.
For example, Black Silver Classic Tabby is often simply called Silver Tabby in everyday use. It’s important to note that “Silver Tabby” is not a single color, but an umbrella term for the entire silver tabby group, including Black Silver Classic Tabby, Black Silver Ticked Tabby, Blue Silver Mackerel Tabby, and more.
Similarly, Black Silver Classic Tabby with White and other silver-and-white combinations are commonly grouped together as Silver and White.

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The same kind of simplification happens with tortoiseshell colors. Many people refer to all Torbie and Tortie with White Maine Coons as Calico. If you’re interested in calico coloring specifically, you can read my dedicated article on Calico Maine Coons, where I explain the distinctions in more detail.

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From a genetic standpoint, Maine Coon coat colors are primarily determined by four major genetic components:

1. Dilution gene – controls black vs. blue and red vs. cream;

2. Agouti vs. solid gene – determines whether a cat is tabby or solid;

3. Pattern gene – such as classic, mackerel, or ticked tabby;

4. White spotting gene – ranging from low white to high white and solid white.

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In a smaller number of cats, the presence of the wide-band gene can further modify the coat, resulting in shaded or shell expressions.