Introduction
Shaded colors are some of the most loved British Shorthair and British Longhair looks. This guide explains what shaded means, how to read common color codes like NY11 or AY12, and why some cats that look almost white are not actually white.
If you are here because you searched white British Shorthair, golden shaded British Shorthair, or blue golden shaded British Shorthair, you are in the right place. This page is written for families who want clear explanations, real examples, and an easy way to compare coat types.
White British Shorthair. What It Is, and What It Is Not
A true white British Shorthair has an overall white coat with no golden tipping and no point pattern. Many searches for white British Shorthair happen because some shaded point cats can look very light in photos, especially in winter lighting or bright indoor light.
The most common mix up is with golden point shaded British Shorthair. A golden point cat can look almost white on the body, but it still shows warm golden undertones and point markings on the face, ears, legs, and tail. If you see a light body with clearer color on the points, it is not a true white British Shorthair.
If you came here looking for a white British Shorthair because a kitten looked pale in pictures, scroll down to the Golden Point Shaded section. It explains why the coat can look white at first glance, and what details to check.
Understanding Shaded Colors and British Color Codes
Shaded coats are defined by a light base with darker tipping on the ends of the hair. The tipping can be black, blue gray, chocolate brown, or lilac depending on the genes behind the coat. In practice, shaded cats can look very different from one another even within the same code, because coat development changes with age, season, and grooming.
Codes such as NY, AY, BY, and CY identify the golden color family, while separate numerical codes describe coat patterns such as ticked tabby, shaded, shell, and point. You may see these combinations on pedigrees, show entries, and breeder listings.
| Code | What it usually means | What the tipping looks like | Common pattern codes |
| NY | Black golden | Black tipping over a warm golden base | 25, 11, 12 |
| AY | Blue golden | Blue gray tipping over a warm golden base | 25, 11, 12 |
| BY | Chocolate golden | Chocolate brown tipping over a warm golden base | 25, 11, 12 |
| CY | Lilac golden | Soft pinkish-grey tipping over a warm golden base. | 25, 11, 12 |
| NY1133 and related | Black golden shaded point and related patterns | Point mask on face, ears, legs, tail, with a very light body | Often written with 11 or 12 plus 33 |
For a broader photo-led introduction, see our Golden British Shorthair guide.
You will also see numerical pattern codes such as 25, 11, 12, and 33. These identify coat patterns rather than a darkness scale: 25 = ticked tabby, 11 = shaded, 12 = shell/chinchilla, and 33 = point.
| 25 | ticked tabby pattern, with banded hairs and more visible patterning across the coat. |
| 11 | shaded pattern, with visible tipping that creates a soft shaded effect across the coat. |
| 12 | shell/chinchilla pattern, with minimal tipping and a very light overall appearance. |
| 33 | point pattern, with darker color concentrated on the face, ears, legs and tail while the body remains lighter. |
Many families search using simple phrases like golden shaded British Shorthair or blue golden shaded British Shorthair, while breeders often use codes like NY11 or AY12. This table connects both styles, so you can match what you see in photos with the code you see in pedigrees.
Golden Point Shaded British Shorthair and British Longhair. Why It Can Look White
Golden point shaded British cats combine a golden shaded body tone with a point pattern. The points are typically visible on the ears, face, legs, and tail. The body can look very light, which is why some people call golden point cats a white British Shorthair, but this is not correct.
Golden point shaded is not the same as true white. If you look closely, you will usually see warm golden undertones and a clearer point mask developing over time. This pattern is temperature sensitive, so points can darken as the kitten grows.
Common codes you may see include: [NY1133. Golden point shaded], [AY1133. Blue golden point shaded], [BY1133. Chocolate golden point shaded], [CY1133. Lilac golden point shaded]
NY1233
NY1233
NY1133
NY1133
Golden Shaded British Shorthair and British Longhair. NY
Golden shaded is the signature warm look many families picture when they search golden shaded British Shorthair or British Shorthair golden shaded. The coat has a golden base, with darker tipping on the ends of the hair. In natural light, this tipping creates a soft gradient that makes the coat look glowing rather than flat.
NY identifies black golden. The separate pattern number identifies ticked tabby (25), shaded (11) or shell/chinchilla (12).
NY25 identifies a black golden ticked tabby pattern, with more visible patterning across the coat.
NY11 identifies black golden shaded, with visible tipping that creates a shaded effect.
NY12 identifies black golden shell/chinchilla, with minimal tipping and a very light overall appearance.
Black golden ticked tabby
NY25 – Leia
Black golden shaded
NY11 – Carson
Black golden shell/chinchilla
NY12 – Potato
Black golden shaded
NY11 – Robert
Blue Golden Shaded British Shorthair and British Longhair. AY
Blue golden shaded British cats are a diluted version of classic golden shaded. Instead of black tipping, the tips look blue gray, which creates a softer and more muted contrast while keeping the warm golden base.
Families searching blue golden shaded British Shorthair often want a refined look that is less high contrast than NY. As with NY, separate numbers identify coat patterns: AY25 = blue golden ticked tabby; AY11 = blue golden shaded; AY12 = blue golden shell/chinchilla.
Blue golden shell/chinchilla – Mochi
AY12
Blue golden shaded — Blueberry
AY11
Lilac Golden Shaded British Shorthair and British Longhair. CY
Lilac golden shaded British cats are one of the softest looking shaded varieties. Lilac tipping is lighter than chocolate and blue gray, which can create a pastel like finish over a warm base. In some lighting, it can appear almost rosy or creamy.
Because the overall contrast can be subtle, photos matter. Look at close ups of the face, back, and tail, and compare multiple images in different light. Many families also love the look of lilac golden shaded British Longhair because the longer coat makes the softness even more noticeable.
Lilac golden shaded
CY11
Mid Lilac golden shaded
CY11
Mid Lilac golden shaded
CY11
Mid Lilac golden shaded
CY11
Chocolate Golden Shaded British Shorthair and British Longhair. BY
Chocolate golden shaded British cats have a warm and rich tone. The tipping looks chocolate brown rather than black, giving the coat a cocoa tone over a golden base. In photos, chocolate golden shaded cats can resemble warm brown with a golden overlay. The best way to confirm the color is to look for the golden undercoat and the even distribution of tipping.
Tabby patterns in shaded cats
Some shaded British cats show tabby patterning. This can be light or more visible depending on age and coat stage. Common pattern codes include
22. Classic tabby, marbled look.
23. Mackerel tabby, striped look.
24. Spotted tabby.
25. Ticked style, often perceived as more patternless.
Blue Golden Tabby
AY23
Black Golden Tabby
NY23
British Shorthair and British Longhair in shaded colors
British Shorthair and British Longhair share the same British type, structure, and temperament. The main difference is coat length and grooming needs. Longhair shaded coats can make gradients look more dramatic because hair length adds depth, while shorthair coats often show a cleaner and crisper tipping outline.
If you are deciding between British Shorthair and British Longhair, focus on lifestyle first. Longhair coats need more routine grooming, while shorthairs are typically easier to maintain.
Coat examples from BearMary cats and kitten profiles.
Black golden shell/chinchilla
NY12
Golden Shaded
NY11
Golden Point Shaded
NY1133
Black golden shell/chinchilla
NY12
Want to see current availability
If you are researching colors because you are planning to welcome a kitten, the best next step is to check our current available British Shorthair cats, British Longhair cats and updates. Shaded coats can change as kittens grow, and we update pages as kittens are evaluated and reserved.
View current British Shorthair kittens
View British Longhair kittens for sale
Join the waiting list for future shaded litters.
For buyer planning, see our kitten prices, breeding plans and HCM screening information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a white British Shorthair rare
A true white British Shorthair can be less common than standard colors, but rarity depends on each breeder’s program and pairing. What matters most is whether the coat is truly white with no golden tipping and no point pattern.
Why does a cat that looks white turn out not to be a white British Shorthair
Many very light cats are actually golden point shaded or another shaded point variety. In photos, the body can look almost white, but the face, ears, legs, and tail will develop point color over time, and you can often see warm golden undertones.
How can I tell a true white British Shorthair from a golden point shaded British Shorthair
Look for point markings and coat undertone. A true white cat stays evenly white across the body. A golden point shaded cat usually shows warmer tones and clearer shading or points on the cooler body areas, especially the face and tail, as the kitten grows.
What does NY11 mean in British Shorthair color codes
NY11 means black golden shaded: NY identifies black golden, and 11 identifies the shaded pattern.
What is the difference between NY11 and NY12
NY11 usually looks a bit deeper and more contrasted. NY12 typically looks lighter with less visible tipping, and can appear very pale in some photos, especially when the kitten is young.
What does AY12 mean
AY12 means blue golden shell/chinchilla: AY identifies blue golden, and 12 identifies the shell pattern with minimal tipping.
What is a golden shaded British Shorthair
Golden shaded means a warm golden base coat with darker tipping on the hair ends. For black golden shaded, NY11 identifies the color and pattern: NY means black golden, and 11 means shaded.
Is golden chinchilla the same as golden shaded
Not exactly. In EMS-style codes, black golden shell, often called chinchilla, is NY12; black golden shaded is NY11. Shell coats have less tipping and usually look lighter. A kitten’s coat can change as it grows, so compare the code, current photos and breeder notes rather than choosing by a pale photo alone. For British Longhair availability, see our British Longhair kittens for sale.
Can NY12 look white in photos
NY12 is very light, but it should still look golden rather than true white. A warm base tone and fine tipping are usually visible on the back and tail.
What is the difference between golden shaded and golden point shaded
Golden point shaded develops clearer point markings on the face, ears, legs, and tail as the kitten grows. Golden shaded stays more even, without point pattern.