Where Is the Ford Paint Code?
On a Ford, the paint code is at the Driver-side door jamb — Safety Certification Label, printed on the label marked “PNT (Paint) — two character code”. The code follows the pattern 2 chars, letters or digits (e.g., UA, J4, YZ). If the sticker is missing or faded, look it up by VIN below.
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Ford Paint Code Location — Every Spot to Check
Ford 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 — Safety Certification Label
- 2Backup location
Driver-side B-pillar
- 3Backup location
Under the hood on the radiator support (older models)
What the label says
Look for the row marked PNT (Paint) — two character code. That's the line that carries the Ford color code.
Code format
Two-character alphanumeric Ford WSS-M code. Pattern: 2 chars, letters or digits (e.g., UA, J4, YZ).
Common Ford Paint Codes & Color Names
A few well-known Ford 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 |
|---|---|
UA | Tuxedo Black / Shadow Black |
YZ | Oxford White |
J7 | Magnetic Metallic |
PQ | Race Red |
E7 | Velocity Blue |
Ford Paint Code Tips
The quirks worth knowing before you order paint for a Ford.
Ford uses just two characters — easy to miss on the door jamb sticker. Look for the row labeled 'PNT' or 'EXT PNT'.
Mustang special-edition colors (Grabber Blue, Twister Orange) reuse codes across model years — verify with the year code.
F-150 Raptor and ST/Performance variants sometimes use unique codes — confirm with the Ford OASIS database or build sheet.
Ford 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 Ford label is gone, the VIN is the reliable way back to the factory paint code.
Every Ford 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 Ford? 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 Ford code by VIN
No sticker needed — the factory code comes straight from the build record.
What to Do With Your Ford Paint Code
Once you have the code, here's how to put it to work.
Order touch-up paint
Give the code to a Fordparts 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 Ford 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
Ford Paint Code — Sources & References
Ford color codes trace back to factory build records and OEM service literature. The references below are the authoritative origins behind Ford VIN, paint, and history data in the United States.
- NHTSA VIN Decoder ↗
Federal reference decoder for Ford VIN structure.
- NHTSA — Safety Recalls ↗
Open Ford recall lookup by VIN.
- NMVTIS — Bureau of Justice Assistance ↗
Federal title-brand database covering every Ford across all 50 states.
- EPA ↗
Coatings and VOC standards behind OEM Ford paint formulations.
Ford Paint Code — Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the paint code on a Ford?+
On a Ford, the paint code is at the Driver-side door jamb — Safety Certification Label. Look for the label marked "PNT (Paint) — two character code". If that sticker is faded or missing, check driver-side b-pillar or under the hood on the radiator support (older models).
What does a Ford paint code look like?+
Two-character alphanumeric Ford WSS-M code. The typical pattern is 2 chars, letters or digits (e.g., UA, J4, YZ). For example, UA is Tuxedo Black / Shadow Black, and YZ is Oxford White.
Can I find my Ford paint code with just the VIN?+
Yes. The factory paint code is recorded against the VIN in Ford'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 Ford paint code and the color name?+
The color name (e.g., "Tuxedo Black / Shadow Black") is marketing copy that Ford may reuse across model years with small formula changes. The paint code (UA) is tied to one specific formulation — it is what a paint supplier needs to mix an exact match.
How do I use my Ford 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 Ford finishes, a single touch-up pen won't match the depth; those need a base + mid-coat + clear process.
My Ford 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 Ford Paint Code in Seconds
Enter a 17-character VIN to retrieve the factory Ford paint code and color name — for touch-up, body shop matching, or to verify a respray on a used vehicle.
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