Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) genotypes with high lint percent are generally acknowledged to have deleterious seed coat quality characterized by small seed with brittle seed coats. In an effort to determine whether potential germplasm lines with high lint percent had brittle seed coats, a study was conducted to examine parameters to be used in classifying genotypes with this trait. Three genotypes with high lint percent and unknown seed coat quality along with Deltapine 50 which has average lint percent and excellent seed coat quality and Deltapine 41 which has high lint percent and brittle seed coats were examined. Seeds were measured for the physical traits length, maximum diameter, minimum diameter and weight. An Instron Materials Testing System was used to shear the individual seed and measure displacement (distance seed were compressed), load (peak force at break point), energy to break point, and shear (peak force to nominal area ratio). Significant genotypic differences were detected for energy to break point, displacement, load, weight, and minimum diameter. Correlations between the various measurements were either low or nonsignificant. Step-wise regressions did not reveal any physical seed measurements contributing to seed coat quality as measured by the Instron. This study showed that the brittle seed coat of Deltapine 41 had a shorter displacement before failure and required less force to break the seed coat compared to excellent seed coat of Deltapine 50.