How to Find Your Audi Paint Code

You can usually find your Audi paint code on a factory sticker in the car (often in the trunk or service book) or by using your VIN at a dealership or trusted parts database. While it sounds simple, Audi has used different label locations and code formats over the years, so knowing where and what to look for saves time and prevents ordering the wrong color.

Why Your Audi Paint Code Matters

For touch-up work, accident repair, or full resprays, using the exact factory paint code is critical to match your car’s original color. Even colors that look similar—like multiple shades of Audi “grey” or “black”—can differ enough that a repair will be obvious if the wrong code is used. The code identifies the precise formula used at the factory, including variations and special finishes.

Primary Places to Find the Audi Paint Code on the Car

1. Trunk / Luggage Compartment Area

The most common place to find the paint code on many Audis, especially models from the 1990s through the 2010s, is in or around the trunk. This sticker is often called the “vehicle data sticker” or “options sticker” and contains multiple codes, including the paint.

Below are the most likely locations in the rear of the vehicle where you can check for this label.

• Spare wheel well: Lift the trunk floor cover; the sticker is often on the metal around the spare tire well or directly on the cover’s underside.
• Side panel of the trunk: Some models have the sticker on the left or right inner trim panel when you remove or move aside a small access cover.
• Near the latch area: On certain older models, the label may be near the rear slam panel or on the inside of the trunk lid.

If you locate the vehicle data sticker in the trunk, you’ll usually find all essential identification information in one place, including the paint code alongside other equipment and option codes.

2. Service Book / Maintenance Booklet

In many markets, Audi duplicated the vehicle data sticker inside the service or warranty booklet that came with the car. If the trunk sticker is missing or damaged, the book can be the easiest backup.

The details below outline how to use the service book to identify the paint code.

• Look at the first pages: Open the service or warranty booklet; the vehicle data label is often glued or printed on one of the first pages.
• Check for a rectangular label: This label typically lists the VIN, engine code, gearbox code, option codes, and paint code.
• Compare with trunk label: If both stickers exist, the information should match; use either one as confirmation of the correct paint code.

The service booklet is particularly useful if the car has changed hands, as trunk stickers may be removed during repairs or detailing, while the booklet often survives in the document folder.

3. Driver’s Door Area (Door Jamb / B-Pillar)

On newer Audi models, some or all of the vehicle details migrated to labels in the door opening, especially near the driver’s side B-pillar. While this label primarily shows VIN, weight ratings, and manufacturing details, some regions and years also show the paint information or an additional code label nearby.

Here is what to look for when checking your door jamb area.

• B-pillar sticker: Open the driver’s door and look at the vertical pillar between front and rear doors for a black or white information label.
• Extra labels: On certain models, a smaller auxiliary sticker with option or color data may be placed in the same area.
• Owner’s manual reference: Audi sometimes notes the exact location of the color label in the owner’s manual for that generation and market.

While the door jamb isn’t always where the paint code lives, it is a quick location to check and can be helpful on newer vehicles where Audi has simplified labeling.

How to Recognize and Read an Audi Paint Code

Common Audi Paint Code Formats

Audi paint codes usually follow recognizable patterns and are often made up of three or four characters, sometimes with a leading letter or an added suffix. They may appear near words like “Lacknummer,” “Paint No.,” “Lack-Code,” or “Color.”

The following points describe the typical formats and examples you are likely to see on an Audi label.

• Classic three-character codes: Examples include LY7W (often “Quartz Grey Metallic”) or LZ9Y (e.g., “Phantom Black Pearl”).
• ‘L’ prefix pattern: Most Audi and VW Group codes start with “L” for lacquer/paint, followed by two or three alphanumeric characters, such as LZ5C or LB9A.
• Four-character alphanumeric codes: You may see codes like T9T9 or 2Y2Y printed in the paint/color row, sometimes representing the same color in different coding schemes.
• Paired code and name: The code may appear next to or above a descriptive name like “Brillantrot,” “Ibisweiß,” or “Daytona Grey Pearl Effect.”

Recognizing that “Lxxx” or “Lxxxx” patterns and repeated alpha-numeric codes correspond to the color will help you ignore unrelated option codes and focus on the actual paint information.

Finding the Paint Code on the Vehicle Data Sticker

Once you’ve located the vehicle data sticker, the challenge is to identify the right code among dozens of abbreviations and option numbers. The sticker layout can vary by generation, but the paint code is usually grouped with basic vehicle identification details.

The points below outline how to pick out the correct code from a busy sticker.

• Look near the top rows: The paint code is often close to the VIN, engine code, and transmission code in the top part of the label.
• Search for “L” codes: Scan the sticker for codes beginning with “L” followed by two–three characters (for example, LY9B or LZ7H).
• Check for descriptive text: Sometimes the paint name appears near or underneath the code, confirming you have the right one (e.g., “LZ7S – Daytona Grau Perleffekt”).
• Ignore long option strings: Many three-character codes in the lower sections are option codes (interior trim, packages); focus on those with an “L” prefix and associated color wording.

Once you’ve identified the correct “L…” code or the combined color code line, note it down carefully, as a single wrong character can lead to the wrong paint mix at a body shop or parts supplier.

Using the VIN When You Can’t Find the Sticker

Ask an Audi Dealer or Authorized Service Center

If the car is missing labels or heavily modified, you can use your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to retrieve the paint code. Audi dealers and some independent Audi specialists have direct access to Audi’s factory database.

The steps below outline how a dealer can help you locate the paint code from your VIN.

1. Locate your VIN: Typically found at the base of the windshield on the driver’s side, on the driver’s door jamb, and in the registration or title documents.
2. Contact the parts or service department: Call or visit an Audi dealer and provide your VIN, mentioning you need the original exterior paint code.
3. Verify ownership if requested: Some dealers may ask for proof of ownership or ID before releasing build data.
4. Request printed information: Ask for the exact code and color name; many dealers can print or email a build sheet containing the paint code.

Using the VIN through an official channel is typically the most reliable backup method, ensuring you get the code as recorded by the factory at the time of production.

Online VIN Decoders and Third-Party Databases

Several online services and paint code databases claim to decode Audi VINs and cross-reference paint colors. Their accuracy can vary, and they may not fully reflect late changes or special-order colors, but they can still be useful when factory information is hard to access.

The key considerations below can help you use online tools more safely.

• Use reputable sites: Prefer established automotive data platforms or well-known paint suppliers that support OEM color lookup.
• Cross-check the result: Compare the color name and year range with photos, brochures, or other sources to ensure it matches your car’s visible color.
• Beware of partial matches: A VIN decoder might list several similar greys or silvers; confirm with a body shop or dealer before ordering paint.
• Check privacy and cost: Some services are free but limited; others charge a fee. Verify how your VIN and data are handled.

While online tools shouldn’t replace official records, they can provide a useful starting point or confirmation for the paint code you suspect is correct.

Common Audi Paint Code Examples and Naming Conventions

Audi combines relatively standardized alphanumeric codes with marketing-friendly color names. Understanding these conventions can help you recognize that different names in different markets may point to the same underlying code.

Typical Audi Color Code Patterns

Many popular Audi colors over the last two decades follow consistent coding schemes shared across models and years.

The following examples illustrate the variety in Audi’s paint code and name system.

• LY9B – Brilliant Black: A solid black used widely across models and generations.
• LZ9Y – Phantom Black Pearl Effect: A pearl-effect black with depth and metallic highlight.
• LY7W – Quartz Grey Metallic: A metallic grey frequently seen on A3, A4, A6, and SUVs.
• LZ7S – Daytona Grey Pearl Effect: A performance-oriented dark grey common on S and RS models.
• LB9A – Brilliant White / Ibis White (market-dependent names): Often a solid white with different marketing names in different regions.
• Special / Audi Exclusive colors: These may carry less familiar codes and can be more challenging to match without dealer-level data.

Recognizing how codes like “LY9B” or “LZ7S” repeat across Audi’s lineup helps you verify information from stickers, VIN lookups, or touch-up paint listings.

Matching Paint for Touch-Ups and Repairs

From Code to Correct Paint Mix

Once you’ve identified the correct paint code, you still need a properly mixed paint product to achieve an accurate match, particularly on older cars where the finish has aged slightly.

The points below summarize how to go from a code to the right paint product.

• Use OEM or high-quality brands: Provide the code to an Audi dealer, reputable body shop, or professional paint supplier that supports OEM formula libraries.
• Specify the paint type: Modern Audis often use basecoat/clearcoat systems; ensure the supplier knows you need the correct type and finish (solid, metallic, or pearl).
• Consider color variance: Many OEM codes have multiple variant formulas to account for factory and aging differences; a good paint shop will select the closest match.
• Do a test spray: Before committing to a repair, test the color on a sample piece or an inconspicuous area to confirm the match.

Correctly mixing the paint from a verified code, along with good preparation and clearcoat application, is what actually delivers a visually seamless repair on your Audi.

Why the Visible Color Alone Isn’t Enough

Trying to match paint on sight or by generic color names is risky, especially with Audi’s expansive palette of greys, silvers, and special finishes. The paint code is the only reliable way to specify the exact formulation.

The following reasons explain why guessing based on appearance or name often fails.

• Multiple similar shades: Audi offers several very close silvers, greys, and blacks that look nearly identical except under certain light.
• Name reuse and regional names: A color name can shift between markets, or similar names can exist for different codes.
• Aging and fading: Sun exposure, detailing, and prior repairs can change how the paint looks compared to a new sample.
• Metallic and pearl complexity: Flake size, orientation, and substrate can make colors match or mismatch depending on viewing angle and lighting.

Relying on the factory paint code instead of visual guesswork helps ensure that any new paint applied to your Audi is as consistent as possible with the original finish.

What to Do If You Still Can’t Find the Code

Occasionally, stickers are missing, service books are lost, and VIN-based data access is limited, especially for imported, rebuilt, or heavily modified cars.

The strategies below outline last-resort methods to identify or approximate your Audi’s paint color.

• Professional color scanning: Some body shops and paint suppliers use spectrophotometer scanners that “read” the color from the car’s surface and generate a near-match formula.
• Contact previous owners or shops: Prior repair invoices or body shops that worked on the car may have recorded the paint code.
• Check regional registration data: In rare cases, official records or import papers note the manufacturer color code or name.
• Panel replacement strategy: For large repairs where an exact match is difficult, some owners choose panel pair painting (e.g., both doors on one side) to hide small tone differences.

While these methods are less precise than using the original label or factory database, they can still provide an acceptable result when the official paint code is truly unavailable.

Summary

To find your Audi paint code, start with the vehicle data sticker in the trunk or luggage compartment and the duplicate sticker in the service or warranty booklet. If those are missing or unreadable, check the driver’s door jamb and then use your VIN through an Audi dealer or trusted database. Look for an “L”‑prefixed code such as LY9B or LZ7S, often printed alongside a color name. Once identified, give this code to a dealer, body shop, or paint supplier to obtain the correct mix for touch-ups or repairs. Avoid guessing based on appearance or marketing name alone, since many Audi colors look similar but use different formulations. A verified paint code is the most reliable way to ensure a clean, professional-looking color match on your Audi.