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If you’ve been researching Ragdolls for a while, there’s a good chance you’ve felt overwhelmed by ragdoll colors & patterns. I hear this all the time from families who reach out to me. They’ve looked at photos, read articles, and somehow still feel unsure about what they’re actually looking at.
That’s completely normal.
As a breeder at AquaMarine Kittens here in Virginia, explaining ragdoll colors & patterns is part of my everyday conversations. Most people don’t want complicated genetics or fancy terms — they just want clear answers so they can confidently choose the right kitten.
This guide is written exactly the way I explain things during calls. I’ll walk you through the main Ragdoll colors, explain how patterns fit in, share which colors we produce (and which we don’t), and give you a basic understanding of why Ragdolls look the way they do.
All Ragdolls Are Pointed (and Always Have Blue Eyes
Before getting into ragdoll colors & patterns, there’s one very important thing to understand:
All traditional Ragdolls are a pointed breed.
That means:
- Their bodies stay lighter
- Their face, ears, legs, and tail are darker
- And they always have blue eyes
This comes from a temperature-sensitive gene. The cooler parts of the body develop darker color, while the warmer areas stay lighter. That same gene is what gives Ragdolls their signature blue eyes.
Simple Genetics
I like to explain genetics in the easiest way possible:
- Seal is the darkest base color
- Blue is the dilute version of seal
- Chocolate is a lighter brown base color
- Lilac is the dilute version of chocolate
- Red (flame) is a separate color group
- Cream is the dilute version of red
“Dilute” simply means the color appears softer and lighter.
1. Seal
Seal is the most recognizable Ragdoll color. The points are a deep, rich brown and the body is creamy or beige. Seal kittens usually darken a lot as they grow.
This is one of the most popular ragdoll colors & patterns combinations overall.
2. Blue
Blue is the dilute version of seal. Instead of dark brown points, you’ll see a soft gray tone. Blue Ragdolls look very calm and gentle, and they photograph beautifully.
Seal and blue are actually my personal favorite colors. They have that classic Ragdoll look that never goes out of style.
3. Chocolate
Chocolate is lighter and warmer than seal, similar to milk chocolate. It’s considered a rarer color in the breed.
At AquaMarine Kittens, we produce chocolate very rarely, so when we do, those kittens are usually reserved quickly.
4. Lilac
This is our first Lilac Ragdoll we had! He is enjoying his life with his family.
Lilac is the dilute version of chocolate. It’s pale, frosty, and slightly pinkish-gray in tone.
We also produce lilac very rarely, and it’s one of the softest-looking ragdoll colors & patterns combinations you’ll see.
5. Red (Flame)
Red Ragdolls have orange to reddish points. They are bold and eye-catching.
This is a free photo since I didn’t produce any kitten like this.
We do not produce red/flame Ragdolls at this time.
6. Cream
Cream is the dilute version of red. It’s very soft and pastel. This is one of our first kings, but he was retired shortly after.
We do not produce cream Ragdolls currently.
7. Tortie
Tortie Ragdolls combine two or more colors, often including red or cream.
We do not produce tortie Ragdolls in our program.
Understanding Ragdoll Patterns
Patterns describe where the color shows up on a Ragdoll, while the color itself tells you the shade (seal, blue, chocolate, lilac, etc.). Learning patterns is simple once you know a few basics.
Here are the main patterns you’ll see:
1. Colorpoint
- Description: The classic pointed Ragdoll. No white markings at all.
- Where the color shows: Points (ears, face mask, legs, tail) are darker, body stays lighter.
- White: None.
This is the cleanest, most straightforward pattern.
2. Mitted
Our previous Seal Mitted Ragdoll King
This is a Seal Mitted with a blaze which is regarded a mismarked pattern.
- Description: Looks like a colorpoint but with small areas of white.
- White locations: Paws and often the chin. Some mitted Ragdolls also have a “blaze,” which is a white stripe running down the center of the face.
- Extra tip: Some mitted kittens may have small mismarks, like tiny patches of color on a paw that’s mostly white. These are normal and make each kitten unique.
3. Bicolor
This is a Seal Bicolor
This is a Seal Bicolor with a mismark which is regarded a mismarked pattern.
- Description: These have more white than mitted cats. The white usually covers the chest, belly, and legs, and there is often an upside-down “V” shape on the face.
- Important: Sometimes the face or body markings can be irregular — these mismarks may look like mitted points, but they’re still considered bicolor.
4. Lynx
This is our previous Lynx Chocolate Point female.
- Description: These Ragdolls have stripes or faint tabby markings over any of the color & pattern combinations above.
- Tip: The lynx markings don’t change the base pattern — they’re just an extra detail that makes each kitten unique.
Quick Visual Tip for Patterns
- Colorpoint: No white at all.
- Mitted: White paws + white chin ± blaze on face; may have minor mismarks.
- Bicolor: Larger white areas on chest, belly, legs, face “V,” sometimes confused with mitted; may have mismarks.
- Lynx: Stripes overlaid on any of the above.
Remember: Patterns do not affect the main color — that’s still seal, blue, chocolate, lilac, etc.
Patterns are mostly about personality in appearance. Mismarks in mitted or bicolor kittens are normal and part of their charm.
For more detailed visuals and explanations of Ragdoll patterns, check out TICA’s Ragdoll Breed Standards.
And if you’re wondering about allergies or whether Ragdolls are hypoallergenic, you can learn more here:
Internal Link: Are Ragdolls Hypoallergenic?
