Tulips are categorized into many groups by bulb growers and botanical authorities. Below are some of of the more common terms seen in descriptions of varieties. The bloom time in the FLOWERS colum indicates when the category flowers in a Spring season. Depending on the planting hardiness zone, 'early' may occur in January in warmer zones, in April in colder zones. Stem heights are given in inches, with the ranges indicating:
| TYPE | FLOWERS | HEIGHT | NOTES | EXAMPLE |
| Greigii | Very Early | Medium | 8-12 in. | Red Riding Hood |
| Kaufmanniana | Very Early | Short | 6-8 in. | Stresa |
| Praestans | Very Early | Medium | 8-10 in. | Fusilier |
| Tarda | Very Early | Short | 3 in. | Dasystemon |
| Fosteriana | Early | Medium | 12-14 in. | Red Emperor |
| Clusiana | Early/Mid | Medium | 10 in. | Cynthia |
| Single Early | Early | Medium | 10-18 in. | Apricot Beauty |
| Double Early | Early | Medium | Double petals | Monte Carlo |
| Triumph | Middle | Medium | 8-20 in. | Shirley |
| Darwin Hybrid | Middle | Med/Tall | Most popular | Apeldoorn |
| Darwin | now "Single Late" | |||
| Single Late | Late | Medium | Formerly 'Darwin' or 'Cottage' tulips | Esther |
| Double Late "Peony" |
Late | Medium | Double petals | Angelique |
| Fringed | Mid/Late | Tall | 18-27 in. | Burgundy Lace |
| Lily Flowered | Late | Tall | Pointed petals | West Point |
| Viridiflora | Late | Tall | Partially green flower petals | Greenland |
| Parrot | Late | Tall | Jagged petals, multi-colored | Estella Rijnveld |
| Rembrandt | Late | Tall | Variegated color on petals | among Single Late |
| Cottage | now "Single Late" |