Where Is the Volkswagen Paint Code?
On a Volkswagen, the paint code is at the Spare tire well — sticker on the trunk floor or wheel well, printed on the label marked “Lack-Nr. (Lacquer Number)”. The code follows the pattern L + 3 chars (e.g., LC9X, LB7W, LD7X). If the sticker is missing or faded, look it up by VIN below.
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Volkswagen Paint Code Location — Every Spot to Check
Volkswagen 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
Spare tire well — sticker on the trunk floor or wheel well
- 2Backup location
Driver-side door jamb (newer models)
- 3Backup location
Service booklet inside the glove box
What the label says
Look for the row marked Lack-Nr. (Lacquer Number). That's the line that carries the Volkswagen color code.
Code format
Letter prefix + 3-char alphanumeric (VW Group system). Pattern: L + 3 chars (e.g., LC9X, LB7W, LD7X).
Common Volkswagen Paint Codes & Color Names
A few well-known Volkswagen 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 |
|---|---|
LC9X | Deep Black Pearl Effect |
LB9A | Pure White |
LD7X | Reflex Silver Metallic |
LA7W | Tungsten Silver Metallic |
LR5Y | Cornflower Blue |
Volkswagen Paint Code Tips
The quirks worth knowing before you order paint for a Volkswagen.
VW codes always start with 'L' on the sticker (VW Group convention shared with Audi).
Touch-up suppliers sometimes drop the L — LC9X may be listed as C9X, which is the same color.
Older Beetles and Golfs may have the sticker in the spare tire well, not the door jamb — check both.
Volkswagen 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 Volkswagen label is gone, the VIN is the reliable way back to the factory paint code.
Every Volkswagen 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 Volkswagen? 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 Volkswagen code by VIN
No sticker needed — the factory code comes straight from the build record.
What to Do With Your Volkswagen Paint Code
Once you have the code, here's how to put it to work.
Order touch-up paint
Give the code to a Volkswagenparts 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 Volkswagen 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
Volkswagen Paint Code — Sources & References
Volkswagen color codes trace back to factory build records and OEM service literature. The references below are the authoritative origins behind Volkswagen VIN, paint, and history data in the United States.
- NHTSA VIN Decoder ↗
Federal reference decoder for Volkswagen VIN structure.
- NHTSA — Safety Recalls ↗
Open Volkswagen recall lookup by VIN.
- NMVTIS — Bureau of Justice Assistance ↗
Federal title-brand database covering every Volkswagen across all 50 states.
- EPA ↗
Coatings and VOC standards behind OEM Volkswagen paint formulations.
Volkswagen Paint Code — Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the paint code on a Volkswagen?+
On a Volkswagen, the paint code is at the Spare tire well — sticker on the trunk floor or wheel well. Look for the label marked "Lack-Nr. (Lacquer Number)". If that sticker is faded or missing, check driver-side door jamb (newer models) or service booklet inside the glove box.
What does a Volkswagen paint code look like?+
Letter prefix + 3-char alphanumeric (VW Group system). The typical pattern is L + 3 chars (e.g., LC9X, LB7W, LD7X). For example, LC9X is Deep Black Pearl Effect, and LB9A is Pure White.
Can I find my Volkswagen paint code with just the VIN?+
Yes. The factory paint code is recorded against the VIN in Volkswagen'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 Volkswagen paint code and the color name?+
The color name (e.g., "Deep Black Pearl Effect") is marketing copy that Volkswagen may reuse across model years with small formula changes. The paint code (LC9X) is tied to one specific formulation — it is what a paint supplier needs to mix an exact match.
How do I use my Volkswagen 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 Volkswagen finishes, a single touch-up pen won't match the depth; those need a base + mid-coat + clear process.
My Volkswagen 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 Volkswagen Paint Code in Seconds
Enter a 17-character VIN to retrieve the factory Volkswagen paint code and color name — for touch-up, body shop matching, or to verify a respray on a used vehicle.
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