A classification system is presented for characterizing the composition of planetary bodies. Mass-radius and mass-density relationships indicate planets may be broadly grouped into Gas Giant, Rock-Ice Giant, and Terrestrial composition classes based upon the mass fraction of H-He gas. For each of these broad composition classes, specific bulk composition classes are defined and characterized with composition codes that describe the rock, ice, and gas fractions. The classification system allows for both general and detailed characterization of exoplanets based upon planetary mass-radius-composition models. The composition codes provided for each bulk composition class may be utilized in exoplanet databases to simplify searches. Finally, the bulk composition classes combined with planetary mass ranges allow for alignment of Solar System analog names to more accurately characterize individual exoplanets.
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