Goten's appearance at the start of the series is very similar to that of his father, Son Goku. This shows greatly in Goten's hair style, which is identical in shape and color to his father's. Goten also wears a gi similar to that of his fathers. At the end of the Majin Buu Saga, Goten takes on a different appearance which series creator Akira Toriyama explains was mad ...e because he didn't want Goten to be confused with his father. This new appearance included a shirt that said "Son Goten" and a long shaggy hairstyle.

Goten has also displayed the ability to transform into a Super Saiyan, which changes his hair color a light shade of gold and boosts his power immensely. Unlike many other saiyans in the series, Goten was able to reach this form at a very early age, though it is unknown how or when the transformation first occurred.