Each of a plurality of arrays of apertures of a shadow mask has a vertically long aperture, a vertically short aperture and a bridge between these apertures. In each of the arrays of apertures, one long aperture and one or more short apertures are arranged alternately, and a horizontal maximum width HSmax of the short aperture is larger than a horizontal basic width HL of the long aperture. This makes it possible to provide a color cathode ray tube having an improved brightness without causing moiré fringes, color displacement, breaking of the shadow mask or variation in color purity.