Possible coat colors and patterns include red point (also called flame point), cream point, lynx points (points featuring a tabby pattern; can be in a variety of colors), and tortie-points (points featuring a tortoise-shell, or calico, pattern; can be in a variety of colors). Non-pointed coat colorations are considered part of the Oriental Shorthair breed.

In the United Kingdom, the colorpoint shorthair is not considered a separate breed from the Siamese, and are shown in cat shows as Siamese. In the United States, the colorpoint shorthair is considered a separate breed.