Every cat breed recognised by the FIFe (Fédération Internationale Féline), one of the most authoritative federations worldwide, has an official technical document — the breed standard — that describes in detail what a typical specimen should look like. For the Maine Coon, this document (breed code MCO, category 2, recognised by the FIFe since 1982) is the absolute reference used by judges at every international show.
Knowing the standard in detail isn't only useful for judges: it is a fundamental tool for every serious breeder, since it guides breeding decisions and allows breeders to objectively evaluate their own cats against the breed's official model.
Below, in clear and organised form, are the main points of the FIFe Maine Coon standard, updated as of 1 January 2026.
Origin and general impression
The Maine Coon is a natural breed, descended from working cats on farms in the Northeastern United States, known for its amiable and sociable temperament.
In overall impression, the standard calls for a large cat with a squared head outline, large ears, a broad chest, solid bone structure, a long rectangular body with firm muscle tone, and a long, flowing tail. Muscle tone and body density should give an impression of power and robustness.
One guiding principle runs through the entire standard: balance and proportion. No single feature — whether the head, the ears, or the tail — should appear exaggerated in relation to the others. The ideal Maine Coon is harmonious, not extreme.
Head
- Shape: medium in size relative to the body, with a squared outline. The upper part of the skull is wider than the muzzle. The profile has enough height to create a gentle concave curve. In adult males, the head may be larger and broader than in females.
- Forehead: gently rounded.
- Cheeks: high, prominent cheekbones.
- Muzzle and nose: medium length, with a squared muzzle outline; a clear transition should be felt between the muzzle and the cheekbones.
- Chin: firm, broad and deep enough to complete the squared outline of the muzzle, vertically aligned with the nose and upper lip.
Ears
- Shape: large, wide at the base, with straight outlines and moderately pointed tips. In adults, the height should not exceed one and a half times the width of the base. Lynx tips are desirable, as are the tufts of hair extending beyond the outer edges.
- Placement: set fairly high on the head, tilted outward, ideally oriented at "eleven and one o'clock." The distance between the ears is roughly equal to the width of one ear (this tends to increase with age). The lower base is set slightly further back than the upper base.
Eyes
- Shape: oval, large and expressive; they appear round when wide open. Widely set and not deep-set, slightly slanted toward the outer base of the ear.
- Colour: all colours are permitted except blue, which is only allowed with EMS codes w, 01 and 02 (white varieties or those with significant white patches); in every other variety, a blue eye requires registration as XLH*61 (MCO). A clear, even colour is preferred.
Neck
In males, the neck is particularly strong and muscular.
Body
- Structure: long, with substantial bone structure, firm and powerful muscle tone, and a broad chest. The body, large and proportioned in all its parts, should give an overall rectangular impression.
- Legs: substantial, medium length, forming a rectangle with the body.
- Paws: large, round, and well tufted between the toes.
Tail
At least as long as the distance between the shoulder blade and the base of the tail itself. Wide at the base and tapering toward the tip, with thick, flowing fur that should always "flow."
Coat
- Structure: an "all-weather" coat, dense. Short on the head, shoulders and legs, gradually lengthening along the back and flanks, with full, long "britches" on the hind legs and abundant fur on the belly. A ruff is expected. Silky texture, with a defined structure that falls smoothly; the undercoat is soft and fine, covered by a smooth, firm top coat. The length and density of the undercoat vary with the seasons.
- Colour: all colour varieties are allowed, including all combinations with white (white blaze, locket, white chest, patches on the belly or legs), except for pointed patterns and the colours chocolate, lilac, cinnamon and fawn.
The Scale of Points
FIFe judges award the overall score out of a total of 100 points, broken down as follows:
| Area | Points | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Head | 40 | General shape (20), ear shape/size/placement (10), eye shape/size/placement (10) |
| Body | 35 | Shape, size, bone structure, legs, paw shape (25); tail shape and length (10) |
| Coat | 20 | Quality and texture (10), length (5), colour/pattern (5) |
| General condition | 5 | Health, physical condition, presentation |
| TOTAL | 100 |
This grid is what makes judging objective and comparable from one show to another: every judge, anywhere in the world, evaluates the same cat using the same point distribution across the same anatomical areas.
Colour groups recognised by the FIFe
The Maine Coon is judged within specific colour variety groups: within each group, a separate certificate can be awarded. The main groups are:
- Group I – Solid Black/Blue
- Group II – Black/Blue with white
- Group III – Black/Blue Agouti (tabby) and Golden
- Group IV – Black/Blue Agouti/Golden with white
- Group V – Solid Red/Cream/Tortie, Agouti and Golden
- Group VI – Red/Cream/Tortie (solid/Agouti/Golden) with white
- Group VII – Smoke/Silver (black, blue, red, cream, tortie)
- Group VIII – Smoke/Silver with white
- Group IX – White
This division allows for fairer judging: a silver tabby Maine Coon does not compete directly, for colour evaluation purposes, against a solid black or a white-and-red bicolour, but is instead compared with cats from the same colour family.
Why these details matter for a serious cattery
The FIFe standard is not simply an aesthetic checklist: it is the map a knowledgeable breeder uses to plan pairings, evaluate kittens, and understand where their own bloodline already matches the ideal model and where it still needs improvement. Knowing it thoroughly — head by head, ear by ear, point by point on the scale — is what sets apart a cattery that works with method from one that relies solely on visual impression.
This is also why, as we've seen, a qualified judge's evaluation carries a value that a breeder's self-assessment can never replicate: only by applying this technical grid impartially can a truly objective result be obtained, one that is comparable internationally.
Source
Official FIFe standard for the Maine Coon breed (MCO), category 2, in effect from 01.01.2026: fifeweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/MCO.pdf