Where Is the Kia Paint Code?
On a Kia, the paint code is at the Driver-side door jamb — vehicle ID plate, printed on the label marked “Color (3-char code)”. The code follows the pattern 3 chars, mix of letters and digits (e.g., SWP). If the sticker is missing or faded, look it up by VIN below.
Get Your Kia Paint Code by VIN
Enter any 17-character VIN — we'll return the OEM paint code and factory color name from the build record.
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Kia Paint Code Location — Every Spot to Check
Kia 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 — vehicle ID plate
- 2Backup location
Spare tire well (sedans)
- 3Backup location
Engine bay firewall (older Sorento, Sportage)
What the label says
Look for the row marked Color (3-char code). That's the line that carries the Kia color code.
Code format
3-character alphanumeric (shared with Hyundai). Pattern: 3 chars, mix of letters and digits (e.g., SWP).
Common Kia Paint Codes & Color Names
A few well-known Kia 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 |
|---|---|
SWP | Snow White Pearl |
ABP | Aurora Black Pearl |
KLG | Steel Gray |
CR5 | Currant Red |
Kia Paint Code Tips
The quirks worth knowing before you order paint for a Kia.
Kia codes are 3 characters and often share families with Hyundai (both Hyundai Motor Group).
'P' in the color name (Pearl) usually corresponds to a tri-coat finish — these need professional application, not a touch-up pen.
On Telluride and Carnival, look in the glove box if the door jamb sticker is missing or damaged.
Kia 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 Kia label is gone, the VIN is the reliable way back to the factory paint code.
Every Kia 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 Kia? 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 Kia code by VIN
No sticker needed — the factory code comes straight from the build record.
What to Do With Your Kia Paint Code
Once you have the code, here's how to put it to work.
Order touch-up paint
Give the code to a Kiaparts 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 Kia 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
Kia Paint Code — Sources & References
Kia color codes trace back to factory build records and OEM service literature. The references below are the authoritative origins behind Kia VIN, paint, and history data in the United States.
- NHTSA VIN Decoder ↗
Federal reference decoder for Kia VIN structure.
- NHTSA — Safety Recalls ↗
Open Kia recall lookup by VIN.
- NMVTIS — Bureau of Justice Assistance ↗
Federal title-brand database covering every Kia across all 50 states.
- EPA ↗
Coatings and VOC standards behind OEM Kia paint formulations.
Kia Paint Code — Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the paint code on a Kia?+
On a Kia, the paint code is at the Driver-side door jamb — vehicle ID plate. Look for the label marked "Color (3-char code)". If that sticker is faded or missing, check spare tire well (sedans) or engine bay firewall (older sorento, sportage).
What does a Kia paint code look like?+
3-character alphanumeric (shared with Hyundai). The typical pattern is 3 chars, mix of letters and digits (e.g., SWP). For example, SWP is Snow White Pearl, and ABP is Aurora Black Pearl.
Can I find my Kia paint code with just the VIN?+
Yes. The factory paint code is recorded against the VIN in Kia'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 Kia paint code and the color name?+
The color name (e.g., "Snow White Pearl") is marketing copy that Kia may reuse across model years with small formula changes. The paint code (SWP) is tied to one specific formulation — it is what a paint supplier needs to mix an exact match.
How do I use my Kia 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 Kia finishes, a single touch-up pen won't match the depth; those need a base + mid-coat + clear process.
My Kia 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 Kia Paint Code in Seconds
Enter a 17-character VIN to retrieve the factory Kia paint code and color name — for touch-up, body shop matching, or to verify a respray on a used vehicle.
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