Where Is the Subaru Paint Code?
On a Subaru, the paint code is at the Driver-side door jamb — service plate, lower edge, printed on the label marked “C/# (Color number, 3-char code)”. The code follows the pattern 3 chars (e.g., 02C, K1X, M7Y). If the sticker is missing or faded, look it up by VIN below.
Get Your Subaru Paint Code by VIN
Enter any 17-character VIN — we'll return the OEM paint code and factory color name from the build record.
Free · No sign-up · Instant result
Subaru Paint Code Location — Every Spot to Check
Subaru 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, lower edge
- 2Backup location
Under the hood on the strut tower
- 3Backup location
Inside the spare tire well
What the label says
Look for the row marked C/# (Color number, 3-char code). That's the line that carries the Subaru color code.
Code format
3-character alphanumeric. Pattern: 3 chars (e.g., 02C, K1X, M7Y).
Common Subaru Paint Codes & Color Names
A few well-known Subaru 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 |
|---|---|
K1X | Crystal White Pearl |
02C | Crystal Black Silica |
K7X | Magnetite Gray Metallic |
M7Y | Ice Silver Metallic |
G1U | Cool Gray Khaki |
Subaru Paint Code Tips
The quirks worth knowing before you order paint for a Subaru.
Subaru paint codes are 3 characters with a heavy mix of letters and numbers — easy to misread.
WRX/STI special colors (World Rally Blue, Sonic Yellow) have their own codes — confirm with the year and trim.
Pearl colors (Crystal White, Crimson Red Pearl) are tri-coat and require multi-stage application.
Subaru 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 Subaru label is gone, the VIN is the reliable way back to the factory paint code.
Every Subaru 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 Subaru? 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 Subaru code by VIN
No sticker needed — the factory code comes straight from the build record.
What to Do With Your Subaru Paint Code
Once you have the code, here's how to put it to work.
Order touch-up paint
Give the code to a Subaruparts 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 Subaru 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
Subaru Paint Code — Sources & References
Subaru color codes trace back to factory build records and OEM service literature. The references below are the authoritative origins behind Subaru VIN, paint, and history data in the United States.
- NHTSA VIN Decoder ↗
Federal reference decoder for Subaru VIN structure.
- NHTSA — Safety Recalls ↗
Open Subaru recall lookup by VIN.
- NMVTIS — Bureau of Justice Assistance ↗
Federal title-brand database covering every Subaru across all 50 states.
- EPA ↗
Coatings and VOC standards behind OEM Subaru paint formulations.
Subaru Paint Code — Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the paint code on a Subaru?+
On a Subaru, the paint code is at the Driver-side door jamb — service plate, lower edge. Look for the label marked "C/# (Color number, 3-char code)". If that sticker is faded or missing, check under the hood on the strut tower or inside the spare tire well.
What does a Subaru paint code look like?+
3-character alphanumeric. The typical pattern is 3 chars (e.g., 02C, K1X, M7Y). For example, K1X is Crystal White Pearl, and 02C is Crystal Black Silica.
Can I find my Subaru paint code with just the VIN?+
Yes. The factory paint code is recorded against the VIN in Subaru'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 Subaru paint code and the color name?+
The color name (e.g., "Crystal White Pearl") is marketing copy that Subaru may reuse across model years with small formula changes. The paint code (K1X) is tied to one specific formulation — it is what a paint supplier needs to mix an exact match.
How do I use my Subaru 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 Subaru finishes, a single touch-up pen won't match the depth; those need a base + mid-coat + clear process.
My Subaru 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 Subaru Paint Code in Seconds
Enter a 17-character VIN to retrieve the factory Subaru paint code and color name — for touch-up, body shop matching, or to verify a respray on a used vehicle.
Related VIN Checks
More tools to verify any vehicle's history