The EMS code (Easy Mind System) is used to describe a cat’s breed, color, pattern, amount of white, and eye color in a short and standardized form.

This coding helps breeders, clubs, and judges identify a cat correctly and quickly.

1. Structure of an EMS code

An EMS code usually looks like this:

BREED + COLOR + PATTERN + WHITE + EYE COLOR

Example:
BRI ns 24 64

Meaning:

• BRI = British Shorthair
• n = black
• s = silver
• 24 = spotted tabby
• 64 = green eyes

So this cat is a British Shorthair black silver spotted tabby with green eyes.

2. Breed codes

Some common breed codes:

• BRI — British Shorthair
• BLH — British Longhair
• SFS — Scottish Fold Shorthair
• SFL — Scottish Fold Longhair
• SCS — Scottish Straight Shorthair
• SCL — Scottish Straight Longhair
• MCO — Maine Coon
• PER — Persian
• EXO — Exotic Shorthair
• SIA — Siamese
• ORI — Oriental Shorthair
• BEN — Bengal
• RAG — Ragdoll
• MUN — Munchkin
• DSH — Domestic Shorthair
• DLH — Domestic Longhair

3. Basic color letters

These letters show the main color of the coat.

• n — black
• a — blue
• b — chocolate
• c — lilac
• d — red
• e — cream
• f — black tortie
• g — blue tortie
• h — chocolate tortie
• j — lilac tortie
• o — cinnamon
• p — fawn
• q — cinnamon tortie
• r — fawn tortie
• w — white

4. Silver and golden

Additional letters may be added to show silver or golden coat effects.

• s — silver
• y — golden

Examples:

• ns — black silver
• as — blue silver
• dy — red golden
• ny — black golden

Smoke cats are also coded with s.
For example:

• ns = black smoke or black silver, depending on pattern
• ds = red smoke

5. Tabby pattern codes

If the cat is tabby, a number is added.

• 21 — unspecified tabby
• 22 — blotched / classic tabby
• 23 — mackerel / tiger tabby
• 24 — spotted tabby
• 25 — ticked tabby

Examples:

• n 22 — black classic tabby
• a 23 — blue mackerel tabby
• ns 24 — black silver spotted tabby
• ny 25 — black golden ticked tabby

6. White spotting codes

Numbers are used to show the amount of white.

• 01 — van
• 02 — harlequin
• 03 — bicolor
• 09 — small amount of white

Examples:

• n 03 — black bicolor
• a 09 — blue with white
• f 03 — black tortie bicolor

7. Pointed, mink, sepia

For pointed and related patterns, these numbers are often used:

• 31 — Burmese / sepia pattern
• 32 — Tonkinese / mink pattern
• 33 — Siamese / pointed pattern

Examples:

• n 33 — seal point
• a 33 — blue point
• b 33 — chocolate point
• c 33 — lilac point
• d 33 — red point
• e 33 — cream point
• f 33 — tortie point

If tabby is combined with point:

• n 21 33 — seal tabby point
• a 21 33 — blue tabby point

8. Eye color codes

These numbers describe eye color.

• 61 — blue eyes
• 62 — orange / copper eyes
• 63 — odd eyes
• 64 — green eyes

Examples:

• w 61 — white cat with blue eyes
• w 63 — white cat with odd eyes
• ns 24 64 — black silver spotted tabby with green eyes

9. How to read EMS codes

Example 1

BRI a

• BRI = British Shorthair
• a = blue

Meaning: British Shorthair blue

Example 2

MCO n 09 22

• MCO = Maine Coon
• n = black
• 09 = with white
• 22 = classic tabby

Meaning: Maine Coon black classic tabby with white

Example 3

SCS f 03

• SCS = Scottish Straight Shorthair
• f = black tortie
• 03 = bicolor

Meaning: Scottish Straight black tortie bicolor

Example 4

PER c 33

• PER = Persian
• c = lilac
• 33 = pointed

Meaning: Persian lilac point

Example 5

BRI ny 25

• BRI = British Shorthair
• n = black
• y = golden
• 25 = ticked tabby

Meaning: British Shorthair black golden ticked tabby

10. Quick breeder cheat sheet

Solid colors

• n — black
• a — blue
• b — chocolate
• c — lilac
• d — red
• e — cream
• o — cinnamon
• p — fawn

Torties

• f — black tortie
• g — blue tortie
• h — chocolate tortie
• j — lilac tortie
• q — cinnamon tortie
• r — fawn tortie

Tabby

• 22 — classic
• 23 — mackerel
• 24 — spotted
• 25 — ticked

White

• 01 — van
• 02 — harlequin
• 03 — bicolor
• 09 — with white

Pointed

• 31 — sepia
• 32 — mink
• 33 — point

Eyes

• 61 — blue
• 62 — orange/copper
• 63 — odd
• 64 — green

11. Why EMS coding is useful

EMS coding helps breeders:

• register cats correctly
• describe kittens accurately
• keep pedigrees clear
• avoid mistakes in color naming
• make communication easier with clubs and judges
• standardize records across countries

12. Simple rule for beginners

To write an EMS code correctly, ask:

1. What breed is the cat?
2. What is the main color?
3. Is it tortie, silver, golden, smoke, or tabby?
4. Is there white? How much?
5. Is it pointed?
6. What eye color does it have?

Then put the code together in order.