Bengal — Color Genetics & EMS Calculator

The Bengal's genetic landscape is shaped by its hybrid foundation (Prionailurus bengalensis × Felis catus), resulting in unique coat patterning genetics that mandate either spotted (24) or marble (22) tabby patterns as the only FIFe-recognized phenotypes. EMS codes for the Bengal are constrained to brown (black series), snow (cs-series, sepia cb/cb, or mink cb/cs), and silver variants, with the Inhibitor (I) locus producing the silver/charcoal lines. Bengal feline genetics programs require precise EMS color calculator use to differentiate the cs, cb, and C allele combinations that produce the three snow phenotypes: Seal Lynx Point (cs/cs), Seal Sepia (cb/cb), and Seal Mink (cb/cs).

Bengal colour genetics: frequently asked questions

Which recessive colours do Bengal cats commonly carry?
Snow Bengals arise from alleles at the C locus: Seal Lynx Point (cs/cs), Seal Sepia (cb/cb), and Seal Mink (heterozygous cs/cb). Brown Bengals can carry hidden cb or cs alleles, producing snow offspring when paired appropriately. Dilute (d) is accepted in FIFe Bengal standard, producing blue/gray variants. The Charcoal phenotype is linked to the Agouti locus interaction with the Bengal's inherited ASIP inhibitor from P. bengalensis.
What colour restrictions apply to the Bengal breed standard?
Only spotted (24) and marble/classic (22) tabby patterns are recognized — ticked (25) and mackerel (23) are disqualifying faults in BEN. Solid (non-agouti, a/a) Bengals are not accepted. Chocolate (b) and cinnamon (bl) alleles are not recognized in the Bengal standard. Dominant White (W) is not permissible. All Bengals must be agouti (A/-) at the A locus.
Which coat patterns are typical for the Bengal?
The Spotted pattern (24) includes both 'single-spotted' and the highly sought 'rosette' formations — the rosette is a phenotypic variant within code 24 and is not distinguished in EMS notation. Marble (22) mimics classic tabby but with unique horizontal flow derived from the Asian Leopard Cat heritage. The 'Charcoal' phenotype presents with a dark facial 'mask' and cape and is genetically distinct from standard color classes, currently not fully codified in EMS.

Popular EMS Colors

BEN n 24Brown (Black) Spotted Tabby
BEN n 22Brown (Black) Marble Tabby
BEN ns 24Black Silver Spotted Tabby (Silver Bengal)
BEN a 24Blue Spotted Tabby
BEN n 24 33Seal Lynx Point Spotted (Snow Bengal, cs/cs)
BEN ns 22Black Silver Marble Tabby

Calculate Colors for Bengal

Free online cat color genetics calculator. Select the breed and appearance of the sire and dam to predict kitten coat colors, patterns and probabilities based on feline color genetics.

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Enter the appearance of both parents to calculate color predictions.

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