Where Is the Nissan Paint Code?
On a Nissan, the paint code is at the Driver-side door jamb — service plate or B-pillar, printed on the label marked “EXT COLOR (3-char code)”. The code follows the pattern 3 chars (e.g., KH3, QAB, NAH, K23). If the sticker is missing or faded, look it up by VIN below.
Get Your Nissan 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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Nissan Paint Code Location — Every Spot to Check
Nissan 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 — service plate or B-pillar
- 2Backup location
Engine bay firewall, driver side
- 3Backup location
Inside the spare tire well
What the label says
Look for the row marked EXT COLOR (3-char code). That's the line that carries the Nissan color code.
Code format
3-character alphanumeric. Pattern: 3 chars (e.g., KH3, QAB, NAH, K23).
Common Nissan Paint Codes & Color Names
A few well-known Nissan 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 |
|---|---|
KH3 | Super Black |
QAB | Pearl White |
K23 | Brilliant Silver Metallic |
NAH | Cayenne Red |
RAY | Scarlet Ember Tintcoat |
Nissan Paint Code Tips
The quirks worth knowing before you order paint for a Nissan.
Nissan paint codes are short (3 characters) and shared with Infiniti.
Pearl White (QAB) is a tri-coat — single-stage touch-up will not match the depth of the original finish.
GT-R and Z special colors sometimes use unique codes outside the standard chart — check the build sheet.
Nissan 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 Nissan label is gone, the VIN is the reliable way back to the factory paint code.
Every Nissan 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 Nissan? 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 Nissan code by VIN
No sticker needed — the factory code comes straight from the build record.
What to Do With Your Nissan Paint Code
Once you have the code, here's how to put it to work.
Order touch-up paint
Give the code to a Nissanparts 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 Nissan 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
Nissan Paint Code — Sources & References
Nissan color codes trace back to factory build records and OEM service literature. The references below are the authoritative origins behind Nissan VIN, paint, and history data in the United States.
- NHTSA VIN Decoder ↗
Federal reference decoder for Nissan VIN structure.
- NHTSA — Safety Recalls ↗
Open Nissan recall lookup by VIN.
- NMVTIS — Bureau of Justice Assistance ↗
Federal title-brand database covering every Nissan across all 50 states.
- EPA ↗
Coatings and VOC standards behind OEM Nissan paint formulations.
Nissan Paint Code — Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the paint code on a Nissan?+
On a Nissan, the paint code is at the Driver-side door jamb — service plate or B-pillar. Look for the label marked "EXT COLOR (3-char code)". If that sticker is faded or missing, check engine bay firewall, driver side or inside the spare tire well.
What does a Nissan paint code look like?+
3-character alphanumeric. The typical pattern is 3 chars (e.g., KH3, QAB, NAH, K23). For example, KH3 is Super Black, and QAB is Pearl White.
Can I find my Nissan paint code with just the VIN?+
Yes. The factory paint code is recorded against the VIN in Nissan'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 Nissan paint code and the color name?+
The color name (e.g., "Super Black") is marketing copy that Nissan may reuse across model years with small formula changes. The paint code (KH3) is tied to one specific formulation — it is what a paint supplier needs to mix an exact match.
How do I use my Nissan 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 Nissan finishes, a single touch-up pen won't match the depth; those need a base + mid-coat + clear process.
My Nissan 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 Nissan Paint Code in Seconds
Enter a 17-character VIN to retrieve the factory Nissan paint code and color name — for touch-up, body shop matching, or to verify a respray on a used vehicle.
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