Paint Code Lookup by VIN — Find Your Factory Color
Every vehicle leaves the factory with a specific paint code that identifies the exact color formulation. Find yours by VIN, or use the interactive locator below to see where your manufacturer hides the sticker.
Get Your Paint Code by VIN
Enter any 17-character VIN — we'll return the OEM paint code and factory color name
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How to Find Your Car's Paint Code — Step-by-Step
Six steps from “I have no idea” to “I have the exact code in hand.” Works on virtually any passenger car, truck, SUV, or motorcycle.
Driver's Door Jamb
Most cars
The white/silver service label on the door frame — paint code sits beside the VIN and tire-pressure spec.
Hover or tap a spot — the markers light up on the car. Steps below walk through each one in detail.
Open the driver's door
Find the white or silver service label on the door jamb (the metal frame the door latches onto). On most modern vehicles, this is where your paint code lives — printed alongside the VIN, tire pressure spec, and gross weight rating.
Look for the right row
Different brands label the row differently: 'Color', 'Paint', 'EXT', 'PNT', 'BC/CC' (GM), 'Lack' or 'Lack-Nr.' (German cars), 'C/TR' (Toyota/Lexus). Use the interactive locator above to see exactly what to look for on your brand.
Copy the code exactly
Paint codes are short (2–5 characters) but precision matters. Distinguish carefully between 0 and O, 1 and I, 8 and B. The code is the identity of the formulation — one character off and your paint supplier mixes the wrong color.
Check secondary spots if needed
If the door jamb sticker is faded, peeled, or missing, the code is usually backed up elsewhere: the strut tower (BMW, Mini), the spare tire well (Audi, VW), the front trunk (Porsche), or the glove box (full-size trucks).
Fall back to a VIN lookup
When no sticker is readable, run a VIN-based paint code lookup. The factory color is recorded against the VIN in the manufacturer's build database — our free VIN check returns it instantly without needing to find any physical label.
Order paint by code, not by name
Give the code to any paint supplier, body shop, or touch-up retailer. The code uniquely identifies the formulation; color names are marketing terms that get reused across years with slightly different formulas.
Paint Code Formats by Brand Family — At a Glance
Code length and format vary widely by manufacturer family. Knowing the pattern makes the code easier to spot on a faded door jamb sticker.
| Brand Family | Format | Example Codes |
|---|---|---|
| American (Detroit Three) | GM uses 'WA' + 4 digits or 3-char RPO codes. Ford and Lincoln use 2 characters. Stellantis (Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram) uses a 'P' prefix + 2 chars. | WA8555, UA, PW7 |
| Japanese | Toyota, Lexus, Mazda, Subaru, Mitsubishi all use 3-character codes. Honda and Acura prefix with a color-family letter + 3-digit number. Nissan and Infiniti use 3-character codes. | 040, 1F7, NH731P, KH3 |
| Korean (Hyundai Motor Group) | Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis all use 3-character alphanumeric codes. Many are shared across brands. | PGU, SWP, R2R |
| German (BMW Group / VW Group / Mercedes) | BMW and Mini use 3-digit numeric or alphanumeric codes. VW and Audi use 'L' + 3 chars. Mercedes-Benz uses a 3-digit numeric code labeled 'Lack'. Porsche uses 3 chars in the frunk. | 668, LY9C, 040 (MB), C9A |
| European (other) | Volvo uses a 3-digit numeric code. Jaguar Land Rover uses a letter + digits code on the B-pillar plate. | 614, 1AG, 867 |
| Tesla | Tesla uses a much smaller palette (~5 colors per model) with simple alphanumeric codes available in the touchscreen menu and the Tesla account. | PPSW, PMNG, PPSB |
Want the exact spot on your specific brand? Use the interactive locator at the top of this page — it covers 30+ manufacturers with sticker locations, label words, and real example codes.
Sticker Missing, Damaged, or Unreadable? Use the VIN.
Door jamb stickers fade in direct sun, get peeled off during body work, or get covered by a replacement door after a collision repair. When that happens, the only reliable way back to your factory paint code is the VIN.
Every vehicle's build record includes the factory paint code, locked to the VIN at the time of manufacture. Our free VIN check pulls that record so you can order touch-up paint, brief a body shop, or verify that the current color matches the factory original.
This is especially useful when buying a used car: if the current color doesn't match the factory code, the vehicle has been repainted — which warrants further investigation with an accident history check to find out why.
Common reasons the sticker is gone
- UV fading — label is intact but unreadable
- Door was replaced after a collision repair
- Sticker peeled or scraped during detailing
- Aftermarket vinyl wrap or trim covering the label
- Repainted door jamb with the sticker masked over
- Vehicle imported and the label is in another language or different position
Run a VIN-based paint code lookup:
Paint Code vs. Color Name — What's the Difference?
Manufacturer color names are marketing terms; paint codes are technical specifications. The difference is invisible — until you ask a paint supplier to mix a quart.
“Velocity Red Satin Mica”
- ·Marketing description used in brochures and ads.
- ·Can be re-used across model years with subtle formula changes.
- ·Multiple brands may share similar names for very different colors.
- ·Not enough on its own to mix paint.
41V
- ·Locked to a specific factory formulation.
- ·Used by paint suppliers, body shops, and OEM parts catalogs.
- ·Unique per color variant — even if the name is unchanged.
- ·The only reliable input for an invisible repair.
What to Do With Your Paint Code — Touch-Up, Body Shop, Ordering
Once you have the code, here's how to put it to work for each scenario — from a 5-minute rock-chip fix to a full panel respray.
Small chips & light scratches
Order a factory-coded touch-up pen from the dealer or an aftermarket supplier like AutomotiveTouchup or PaintScratch. Best for sub-millimeter rock chips. Clean, degrease, apply in thin layers, let cure 24h between coats, then clear coat.
Deeper scratches & panel rash
Use a brush-on bottle plus blending solvent, or upgrade to a spray can of factory-mixed paint. For colors with pearl or mica, a tri-coat process is needed — a single-coat product will not match.
Full panel repair (body shop)
Hand the body shop your paint code. A good shop will mix to the code, then blend into adjacent panels to absorb any UV fade on the original paint. Insist on basecoat + clearcoat — never a single-stage shortcut on a modern car.
Pro tip: photograph the door jamb sticker in natural light and store it with your other vehicle documents. The code is the same for the life of the vehicle — having a clean image saves a trip back to the driveway every time you need touch-up.
Get Your Factory Paint Code in Seconds
Free VIN-based lookup. Returns the OEM paint code and color name straight from the manufacturer's build record.
More VIN Tools That Pair Well With a Paint Code Lookup
Paint history rarely tells the whole story. These checks fill in the rest of the picture.
Always check the VIN before you buy
Our free report reveals accidents, title brands, odometer rollback, theft records, and open recalls in seconds.
Paint Code Lookup — Frequently Asked Questions
Detailed answers to the questions most paint-code searchers ask.
Where is the paint code on my car?+
On most vehicles the paint code is printed on a sticker inside the driver-side door jamb, on the same label as the VIN and tire pressure data. Audi, VW, and Porsche typically place it in the spare tire well or front trunk. BMW and Mini often use the engine bay strut tower. Our interactive locator above shows the exact spot for 30+ brands.
Can I look up a paint code with just the VIN?+
Yes. The factory paint code is recorded against the VIN in the manufacturer's build database. A VIN-based paint code lookup retrieves the original color code even when the physical door jamb sticker is damaged, faded, or has been removed during repair.
Is the paint code the same as the color name?+
No. The color name (e.g., 'Crystal Black Pearl') is marketing copy that may be reused with slightly different formulas across years. The paint code (e.g., 'NH731P') is tied to a specific formulation and is what paint suppliers use to mix the exact match.
What does BC/CC on my door jamb mean?+
BC/CC stands for Base Coat / Clear Coat — the two-stage paint process used on most modern vehicles. GM brands (Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Cadillac) print 'BC/CC' next to the paint code on the SPID label. If the label shows a third layer (mid-coat or pearl), the color is a tri-coat and requires multi-stage application for an invisible repair.
What is a tri-coat (3-stage) paint?+
A tri-coat paint uses three layers: a colored base, a translucent mid-coat (usually with pearl or mica flakes), and a clear coat. Examples include Toyota Blizzard Pearl, GM White Diamond Tricoat, and Mazda Soul Red Crystal. Tri-coats cannot be matched with a single touch-up pen — they require professional spray application to reproduce the depth.
What if my paint code sticker is missing or damaged?+
Run a VIN-based paint code lookup using the form above. The factory code is permanently associated with the VIN in the manufacturer's build database, so we can retrieve it even if the door jamb label is unreadable.
How do I find a Toyota paint code?+
Toyota paint codes are 3-character alphanumeric (e.g., 040 for Super White, 1F7 for Classic Silver Metallic, 8S6 for Blueprint). They are printed on the driver-side door jamb service label under 'C/TR' (Color / Trim). Two-tone vehicles list both codes separated by a slash.
How do I find a Honda or Acura paint code?+
Honda and Acura paint codes have a color-family prefix and a 3-digit number, sometimes with a suffix. For example, NH731P (Crystal Black Pearl), R513 (Rallye Red), B593M (Aegean Blue Metallic). The 'P' suffix means pearl (tri-coat) and 'M' means metallic. Find the code on the driver-side door jamb service label.
How do I find a Ford paint code?+
Ford uses just two characters — easy to miss on the door jamb sticker. Look on the Safety Certification Label inside the driver's door for a row labeled 'PNT' or 'EXT PNT'. Examples: UA = Tuxedo Black, YZ = Oxford White, J7 = Magnetic Metallic, PQ = Race Red.
Where is the paint code on a BMW?+
On BMW, the paint code is a 3-character code (e.g., 668 for Jet Black, 475 for Black Sapphire Metallic, A52 for Space Gray). It's typically on the VIN sticker on the driver-side door jamb and again on the strut tower in the engine bay. Newer BMWs use alphanumeric codes (e.g., C4P, C3J) — same database, different format.
Where do I find an Audi or VW paint code?+
Audi and Volkswagen paint codes always start with the letter 'L' (e.g., LY9C for Audi Ibis White, LC9X for VW Deep Black Pearl). The sticker is most often in the spare tire well in the trunk, sometimes on the driver-side door jamb on newer models, and also in the service booklet in the glove box.
Can a body shop match my color without a paint code?+
Some shops match by eye or with a spectrophotometer, but the result is rarely as accurate as a factory-coded mix. UV exposure also fades original paint over time, so even with the correct code, large repairs may need 'blending' into adjacent panels for an invisible result. Always provide the paint code and let the shop decide whether to blend.
Why are touch-up paint pens often slightly off-color?+
Touch-up pens use a single-stage formula sprayed thinly with a brush. They cannot reproduce the depth of a base/clear or tri-coat finish. They also age faster than factory paint. Pens work well for tiny rock chips but become visible on anything larger than a few millimeters.
Is the paint code different by model year?+
Sometimes. A color may share a name across years but have a slightly different formulation — and a new code. For example, Toyota Super White (040) has had multiple variants across the years. Always verify the code for the specific model year of your vehicle, not just the color name.
Will a VIN check show if my car was resprayed?+
A VIN check returns the factory original paint code. If the vehicle's current color does not match that code, the car has been repainted. This can be a clue to undisclosed accident repair — pair the paint code lookup with our accident history check for a complete picture.
What is OEM paint and why does it matter?+
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) paint is the factory formulation specified by the carmaker. Using OEM-grade paint mixed to your factory code is the only reliable way to get an invisible repair, preserve resale value, and avoid the metameric color shift that happens when generic 'close enough' paint is used.
Find the Exact Paint Code for Any Vehicle
Enter a 17-character VIN to retrieve the factory paint code and color name. Use it for touch-up, body shop matching, or to verify a respray on a used vehicle.
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