Where Is the BMW Paint Code?
On a BMW, the paint code is at the Driver-side door jamb — VIN sticker, look for three-digit code, printed on the label marked “Farbe / Color (3-digit code)”. The code follows the pattern 3 digits (e.g., 668, A52, C3J for newer). If the sticker is missing or faded, look it up by VIN below.
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BMW Paint Code Location — Every Spot to Check
BMW prints the paint code in one main spot and backs it up in a couple of others. Start at the top of this list and work down if the label is hard to read.
- 1Primary location
Driver-side door jamb — VIN sticker, look for three-digit code
- 2Backup location
Strut tower in the engine bay
- 3Backup location
Inside the trunk lid (M cars and older models)
What the label says
Look for the row marked Farbe / Color (3-digit code). That's the line that carries the BMW color code.
Code format
Three-digit numeric (BMW factory codes). Pattern: 3 digits (e.g., 668, A52, C3J for newer).
Common BMW Paint Codes & Color Names
A few well-known BMW factory codes so you know what to expect on the sticker. Your exact code depends on the model year — always confirm against your own vehicle or VIN.
| Paint Code | Factory Color Name |
|---|---|
668 | Jet Black (non-metallic) |
475 | Black Sapphire Metallic |
A52 | Space Gray Metallic |
C4P | Brooklyn Grey Metallic |
300 | Alpine White III |
BMW Paint Code Tips
The quirks worth knowing before you order paint for a BMW.
BMW transitioned from 3-digit numeric codes (e.g., 475) to alphanumeric codes (e.g., C4P) around 2017 — same database, different format.
Individual (custom-order) colors begin with a 'P' or 'X' and are not available as off-the-shelf touch-up.
Check the body color sticker on the strut tower if the door jamb label is faded — it's printed at the factory in non-fading ink.
BMW Sticker Missing or Faded? Use the VIN.
Door jamb stickers fade in the sun, get peeled during detailing, or disappear when a door is replaced after a collision. When the BMW label is gone, the VIN is the reliable way back to the factory paint code.
Every BMW build record carries the factory paint code, locked to the VIN at manufacture. Our free VIN check pulls that record so you can order touch-up, brief a body shop, or verify the current color matches the factory original.
Buying a used BMW? If the current color doesn't match the factory code, the car was repainted — worth an accident history check to find out why.
Look up your BMW code by VIN
No sticker needed — the factory code comes straight from the build record.
What to Do With Your BMW Paint Code
Once you have the code, here's how to put it to work.
Order touch-up paint
Give the code to a BMWparts counter or a touch-up supplier. For pearl/metallic finishes, ask for the matching base + clear so the repair doesn't flatten out.
Save it for later
Photograph the BMW sticker in good light and store it with your documents. The code stays the same for the life of the car — no more trips back to the driveway.
Paint Code Location for Other Brands
BMW Paint Code — Sources & References
BMW color codes trace back to factory build records and OEM service literature. The references below are the authoritative origins behind BMW VIN, paint, and history data in the United States.
- NHTSA VIN Decoder ↗
Federal reference decoder for BMW VIN structure.
- NHTSA — Safety Recalls ↗
Open BMW recall lookup by VIN.
- NMVTIS — Bureau of Justice Assistance ↗
Federal title-brand database covering every BMW across all 50 states.
- EPA ↗
Coatings and VOC standards behind OEM BMW paint formulations.
BMW Paint Code — Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the paint code on a BMW?+
On a BMW, the paint code is at the Driver-side door jamb — VIN sticker, look for three-digit code. Look for the label marked "Farbe / Color (3-digit code)". If that sticker is faded or missing, check strut tower in the engine bay or inside the trunk lid (m cars and older models).
What does a BMW paint code look like?+
Three-digit numeric (BMW factory codes). The typical pattern is 3 digits (e.g., 668, A52, C3J for newer). For example, 668 is Jet Black (non-metallic), and 475 is Black Sapphire Metallic.
Can I find my BMW paint code with just the VIN?+
Yes. The factory paint code is recorded against the VIN in BMW's build database, so a VIN-based lookup returns the original color code even when the physical door jamb sticker is damaged, faded, or was replaced during repair. Enter your VIN in the form above.
What is the difference between the BMW paint code and the color name?+
The color name (e.g., "Jet Black (non-metallic)") is marketing copy that BMW may reuse across model years with small formula changes. The paint code (668) is tied to one specific formulation — it is what a paint supplier needs to mix an exact match.
How do I use my BMW paint code for touch-up?+
Give the code — not the color name — to any paint supplier, dealer parts counter, or body shop. They mix to the code. For pearl or tri-coat BMW finishes, a single touch-up pen won't match the depth; those need a base + mid-coat + clear process.
My BMW was repainted and the sticker is gone — what now?+
Run a VIN-based paint code lookup. The factory code is locked to the VIN at manufacture, so it survives a respray or a replaced door. If the car's current color doesn't match the factory code returned, the vehicle was repainted — worth pairing with an accident history check to find out why.
Get Your BMW Paint Code in Seconds
Enter a 17-character VIN to retrieve the factory BMW paint code and color name — for touch-up, body shop matching, or to verify a respray on a used vehicle.
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