A color cathode ray tube in which beam landing errors caused by non-uniform thermal expansion of a shadow mask are corrected is provided such that color purity is improved. The color cathode ray tube in accordance with the present invention comprises a panel having a phosphor screen formed on an inner surface thereof, a shadow mask having a faceplate portion and a peripheral skirt portion bent back from the faceplate portion and a frame joined to the skirt portion, wherein a height of the skirt portion is less than or equal to 12 mm for substantially the entire skirt portion, and a plurality of holes are perforated at the skirt portion.