How to Find the Exact Color of Your Car

The quickest way to identify your car’s exact color is to locate the OEM paint code on the vehicle’s information label—usually in the driver’s door jamb, trunk/spare-tire area, or under the hood—and, if that fails, ask a dealership to look it up by your VIN or have a body shop scan the paint with a spectrophotometer. This code, not just the marketing name, ensures you get a precise match for touch-up paint or repairs.

What “exact color” really means

Automakers use unique paint codes to define a color formula, and the same color can have different names across markets or model years. Even a single paint code can have factory “variants” (slight tone differences) and your car’s finish may have faded or been repainted. That’s why the OEM paint code is the authoritative starting point, while professional color matching may still be needed for an invisible repair.

Where to find the OEM paint code on the vehicle

Most cars carry a label or plate that lists the exterior color code along with other vehicle information. The exact location and wording vary by brand and model year, but these are the most common places to check first.

• Driver’s door jamb or B-pillar: On the certification/VIN label, look for fields labeled “Paint,” “Color,” “EXT PNT,” “C/TR,” or similar.
• Trunk area: Inside the trunk lid, near the spare tire well, or on a “Service Parts Identification” (SPID) sticker for some brands.
• Under the hood: On the radiator support, firewall, strut tower, or an under-hood information plate, especially on older European and Japanese models.
• Glove box or owner’s documentation: Some vehicles include the paint code in the owner’s manual supplements or a service booklet.
• Window sticker (Monroney): If you still have it, it typically lists the paint name (and sometimes the code), which you can cross-reference.

If you locate a code, confirm it’s the exterior paint and not an interior trim or roof color; the label may list multiple codes, especially on two-tone or special-finish vehicles.

Manufacturer-specific clues

Labels differ by brand. The notes below highlight what to look for and where, acknowledging that placement can change by model year and plant.

• Toyota/Lexus: Look for “C/TR” on the driver’s door jamb. The first code is exterior color (e.g., 1F7), the second is trim.
• Ford/Lincoln: Driver’s door jamb certification label; “EXT PNT” or “PNT” shows codes like YZ (Oxford White) or UA (Black).
• GM (Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Cadillac): A SPID/parts sticker may be in the trunk, glove box, or door area with entries like “WA8554” or “BC/CC U 8554.” Dealers can also retrieve the code by VIN on newer models.
• Honda/Acura: Driver’s door jamb label lists a code such as NH-731P (Crystal Black Pearl) or B-553P.
• Nissan/Infiniti: Driver’s door jamb or under-hood plate; look for “Color” with codes like K23 (Silver) or QAB (Pearl White).
• Volkswagen/Audi: Sticker in the trunk/spare wheel well or service booklet; codes like LC9A or LY3D.
• BMW: Many older models have an under-hood plate with the paint name and code (e.g., 300 Alpine White); newer models often require the dealer to provide the code via VIN.
• Mercedes-Benz: The paint “Lackcode” (e.g., 040 Black) appears on the data card; dealers can supply it from your VIN.
• Hyundai/Kia: Driver’s door jamb certification label with a “Paint” field (e.g., SWP for Snow White Pearl).
• Mazda: Driver’s door jamb label; codes like 46G (Machine Gray) or 41V (Soul Red Crystal).
• Subaru: Driver’s door jamb plate includes “Color Code” (e.g., K1X Crystal White Pearl).
• Tesla: The label typically lists the color name, not the code; the Tesla app/service can confirm your paint, and the original window sticker lists the color name (e.g., Pearl White Multi-Coat).

If the label is missing, illegible, or ambiguous, take a clear photo and call a dealer with your VIN; they can confirm the exact paint code from factory records.

Use your VIN if the label is missing

Your vehicle identification number (VIN) usually does not encode the paint directly, but dealers and manufacturer parts systems can pull the build record by VIN, which includes the paint code and official color name.

1. Call a franchised dealer for your brand and provide the VIN and registration details.
2. Ask for the “factory exterior paint code” and color name from the build sheet.
3. Request any variant information if available (body shops often see multiple variants for a single code).
4. Save the code; use it when ordering touch-up paint or talking to a body shop.

Some third-party VIN decoders list color names, but the most reliable source is the manufacturer’s database accessed by a dealer or authorized parts department.

If the car has been repainted or the finish has faded: match it

Even with the correct code, real-world panels can look different due to age, sun exposure, prior repairs, or factory shade variants. Professional matching is the solution when appearance—not just the nominal code—matters.

• Body-shop spectrophotometer scan: A paint supplier or collision center can scan a clean, flat area (often the fuel door or mirror cap) to find the closest formula variant.
• Spray-out cards: Shops mix candidate variants and spray sample cards to compare against your car under natural and shop lighting.
• Panel blending: To hide minor shade differences, painters blend color into adjacent panels rather than repainting a single panel edge-to-edge.
• Phone apps: Useful for general identification but not accurate enough for repairs—don’t rely on them for mixing paint.

If you suspect a full repaint (different from the factory code), a scan-and-compare approach is essential because the OEM code may no longer reflect the color on the car.

How to read common paint codes

Codes mix letters and numbers and may include finish hints. When in doubt, give the full code to the paint supplier and confirm whether it’s a solid, metallic, or tri-coat system.

• Toyota/Lexus: 1F7 (Classic Silver Metallic), 202 (Black), “C/TR 1F7/FB13” indicates color/trim.
• Ford: YZ (Oxford White), UA (Ebony/Black), RR (Ruby Red; tri-coat variants may require base and midcoat formulas).
• Honda/Acura: NH-731P (Crystal Black Pearl), B-588P (Obsidian Blue Pearl).
• VW/Audi: LA7W (Reflex Silver), LY9B (Brilliant Black).
• BMW: 300 (Alpine White), 475 (Black Sapphire Metallic).
• Mercedes-Benz: 040 (Black), 799 (Designo Diamond White; multi-coat system).
• GM: WA8554 (Black), WA8624 (Summit White); suppliers may also list “BC/CC U 8554.”

Tri-coat (pearlescent) finishes usually involve a base color and a midcoat pearl before clearcoat; be sure you have all components if you’re buying repair materials.

Common pitfalls to avoid

Small details can derail a good match. Keep these risks in mind before ordering or mixing paint.

• Confusing marketing names with codes: Names change; the code is the match key.
• Mixing up interior trim or roof codes with exterior paint: Labels can list several codes together.
• Ignoring variants and fade: A correct code can still need variant selection and blending.
• Assuming VIN alone reveals the code online: Use the dealer’s build data for accuracy.
• Forgetting two-tone or special packages: Some vehicles list separate upper/lower or accent color codes.

When uncertain, bring the vehicle—or at least a removable painted piece—to a professional paint supplier for confirmation before purchasing materials.

Summary

To find your car’s exact color, locate the OEM paint code on the vehicle label (often the driver’s door jamb, trunk/spare area, or under the hood). If you can’t find it, your dealer can pull the factory paint code by VIN. For the best visual match—especially on older, faded, or repainted cars—have a body shop scan the paint and select the correct variant, and expect blending on adjacent panels for an invisible repair.

Can I find my car color by VIN number?

Yes, you can use your car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to find its paint code, but the VIN itself doesn’t contain the code directly. You can look up the paint code by using your VIN on your car manufacturer’s website, an automotive paint code lookup tool, or by contacting your local car dealership. You can also often find the paint code on a sticker or label inside the driver’s side door jamb or under the hood. 
Methods to find your paint code using the VIN

1. Manufacturer’s Website: Opens in new tabMany car manufacturer websites offer VIN lookup tools that can provide your vehicle’s specific paint code. 
2. Dealership: Opens in new tabContact your local dealership’s parts department. They can use your VIN to look up the paint code in their database. 
3. Paint Code Finders: Opens in new tabThere are online platforms and websites that specialize in automotive paint and offer VIN lookup services to find your paint code. 

How to find the paint code directly on your vehicle

1. Driver’s Door Jam: Open the driver’s door and look for a sticker or label on the door jamb (the frame of the car) or on the door itself. 
2. Under the Hood: Check for a sticker or riveted placard on the underside of the hood or in the engine bay that might have the color code. 
3. Owner’s Manual: Your vehicle’s owner’s manual should contain information about where to find the paint code sticker on your specific vehicle. 

Which part of the VIN is the paint code?

The color code is not part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN); instead, it’s typically found on a sticker or plate located on the driver’s side door jamb, under the hood, or in the owner’s manual. While the VIN identifies major aspects of a vehicle like its model and engine, it doesn’t contain minor option details like paint. You can also find the color code by contacting your local car dealership or using a VIN lookup tool on a paint supplier’s website.
 
Where to find the color code:

• Driver’s Door Jamb: Open the driver’s door and look for a sticker or plate, often labeled with “C/TR” (color/trim). 
• Under the Hood: Check for a sticker or placard on the firewall or under the hood. 
• Owner’s Manual: Your car’s owner’s manual should provide the location of the paint code. 
• Dealership: Contact a local dealership, and they can look up your vehicle’s color code using its VIN. 
• VIN Lookup Tools: Some paint and touch-up paint websites allow you to input your VIN to retrieve the color code. 

Can dealerships find paint codes by VIN?

The dealership can identify your vehicle’s paint color by its VIN and can give you the corresponding paint code. You can find your vehicle’s VIN on your insurance card or insurance policy, on your vehicle’s title or registration, or on the dashboard on the driver’s side.

How do I find out the exact color of my car?

To find your car’s exact color, locate the vehicle identification sticker, usually on the driver’s side door jamb, to find the exterior paint code. You can also find the code in your owner’s manual, on a spare tire option tag, or by contacting the vehicle’s dealership with your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number).
 
This video demonstrates how to find the paint code sticker on the driver’s side door jamb: 57sduplicolortvYouTube · Nov 21, 2024
1. Check the Driver’s Side Door Jamb: 

• Open the driver’s door. 
• Look for a rectangular sticker or label on the door edge or the B-pillar (the pillar between the front and rear doors). 
• The sticker often contains information like the VIN, GVWR, and the exterior paint code. The code may be labeled “Ext. Pt.” or “C”. 

2. Look for the Paint Code in Other Locations:

• Owner’s Manual: Check your owner’s manual for the paint code. 
• Option Sheet: In some cars, particularly European models, the paint code might be on a paper tag in the spare tire well in the trunk. 
• Under the Hood: The code can sometimes be found under the hood on the strut towers or other parts of the vehicle. 

This video shows alternative locations for the paint code, including the owner’s manual and other spots: 45sSupercheap AutoYouTube · Mar 14, 2017
3. Get the Code from a Professional:

• Contact the Dealership: Opens in new tabCall your local dealership with your VIN. They can look up the vehicle’s original paint color for you. 
• Visit an Auto Paint Store: Opens in new tabTake your VIN to a local paint store. They can help you find the correct code for your vehicle, even if the code is on the door jamb. 
• Use Online Tools: Opens in new tabSome websites, like PaintScratch.com and Dupli-Color, have tools to help you find the code by year, make, and model.