How to Find Your Vehicle’s OEM Paint Color

You can usually find your car’s OEM paint color by locating the factory paint code on a label or plate in the vehicle (often in the driver’s door jamb, under the hood, or in the trunk), then matching that code to the manufacturer’s color name through a dealer, online database, or paint supplier. This article explains where to look, what the code means, and how to use it to get an exact paint match for repairs or touch‑ups.

What “OEM Paint Color” Really Means

OEM paint color refers to the exact color and formula your vehicle had when it left the factory, specified by an official paint code. That code is tied to a precise formula used by automotive paint manufacturers so the color can be reproduced consistently for touch‑ups, repairs, or full resprays.

Why the OEM Code Matters

The OEM paint code is more reliable than guessing by eye or by using generic color names. Many shades that look similar can differ in metallic flake, pearl, tint, or transparency. Even colors with the same marketing name (like “Snow White Pearl” or “Deep Black”) may have multiple variants and different formulas by year, plant, or region.

Step 1: Locate Your Vehicle’s Paint Code

The first and most important step is to find the paint code on your vehicle itself, typically on a factory-applied label or metal plate. Different manufacturers put this label in different places, and it may be mixed in with other information like VIN, tire pressures, or trim codes.

Common Places to Find the Paint Code

The following list describes the most common locations where automakers place OEM paint code labels and what to look for in each area.

• Driver’s door jamb or B-pillar: Often a rectangular sticker with VIN, tire info, and paint data; frequently labeled “Paint,” “Paint Code,” “PNT,” “C/TR,” or similar.
• Under the hood (engine bay): A metal plate or sticker on the firewall, radiator support, under the hood itself, or near the strut towers.
• Trunk area: On the underside of the trunk lid, on the spare tire cover, or on the side walls inside the trunk (especially on some European cars).
• Glovebox or console: Some brands (notably GM on certain models, plus a few European makes) list paint codes on a service parts identification label in the glovebox or center console.
• Door or sill plates: Occasionally on a plate near the door sill or on the A-pillar, especially on older or specialty vehicles.
• Fuel filler area: A smaller subset of cars place color and trim codes on a sticker inside the fuel door or nearby panel.

By checking these spots carefully, you can usually find a factory label or plate that includes the paint code, saving you guesswork and ensuring you’re working from the official source.

Where Specific Brands Usually Put the Code

While there are exceptions, many manufacturers follow predictable patterns. Understanding these tendencies helps narrow your search quickly.

The list below outlines typical paint code locations and label notations for major automakers.

• Toyota / Lexus: Look for a label on the driver’s door jamb. The code is usually under “C/TR” (Color/Trim). Example: “1F7” or “070”.
• Honda / Acura: Driver’s door jamb or door. Codes often end with a letter (e.g., “NH-731P,” “R-81”).
• Ford / Lincoln: Sticker on the driver’s door jamb labeled “EXT PNT” or “Exterior Paint,” often a two-digit or two-character code (e.g., “YZ,” “PQ”).
• Chevrolet / GMC / Buick / Cadillac: Service Parts Identification label previously in the glovebox, trunk, or spare tire well; newer models often use a QR-coded label in the driver’s door area. Codes often start with “WA” or be 4-digit numbers (e.g., “WA8624,” “GAN”).
• Chrysler / Dodge / Jeep / Ram: Driver’s door jamb label with “PNT” or “Paint” followed by a code (e.g., “PR4,” “PBU”).
• Volkswagen / Audi: Service sticker in the trunk (near spare wheel well) or in the service book, sometimes in the door jamb. Codes can look like “LC9A,” “L041.”
• BMW / MINI: Aluminum plate or sticker under hood (strut tower, radiator support) or on the B-pillar. Codes like “300” (Alpine White), “A52” (Space Grey).
• Mercedes-Benz: Under-hood sticker or B-pillar label, sometimes called “Lacknummer” or “Paint No.” Codes such as “040,” “197,” “775.”
• Nissan / Infiniti: Driver’s door jamb label with “Color” or “Kleur” and a three-character code (e.g., “QAB,” “KH3”).
• Hyundai / Kia: Driver’s door jamb, sometimes labeled “PAINT” or “EXT COLOR.” Codes like “WAW,” “S3B,” “UD.”
• Subaru: Plate in the engine bay (older) or driver’s door jamb (newer), marked “COLOR CODE” (e.g., “61K,” “K1X”).
• Mazda: Driver’s door jamb, with a “COLOR” field (e.g., “42A,” “46G”).
• Tesla: Driver’s door jamb label; some documentation and service menus also list the color name for newer models.

These brand-specific clues can significantly speed up the search and help confirm that the code you find is indeed the exterior paint code rather than an interior or trim reference.

Step 2: Interpret the Paint Code Correctly

Once you’ve located a candidate code, you need to confirm that it references the exterior paint, not interior trim, upholstery, or other options. The label may contain multiple codes, often clustered in a small area.

Recognizing Exterior Paint Codes

Paint codes can be numeric, alphanumeric, or paired with a descriptive name. The structure varies by maker, but there are consistent markers you can use.

The following list explains how to distinguish the correct code and what common label terms mean.

• Label headings: Look for “Paint,” “PNT,” “Color,” “C/TR,” “EXT PNT,” “CLR,” “BODY COLOR,” or “Lacknummer” (German for paint number).
• Paired codes: On some labels (e.g., Toyota’s C/TR), the first part is the exterior color and the second is interior or trim. Use the first three characters.
• Alphanumeric formats: Codes may appear as “1F7,” “NH-731P,” “WA8624,” “LC9A,” or “A52.” Ignore hyphens when searching databases.
• Avoid interior-only codes: Interior trim, upholstery, and dashboard colors may appear alongside. They’re usually labeled “Trim,” “TR,” “INT,” or “Interior.”
• Cross-check with model year: Some codes are reused over time; verify that the code you have was indeed used for your car’s model year and model line.

By focusing on label headings and typical code patterns, you can separate the true exterior paint code from other vehicle option codes that might look similar at first glance.

Step 3: Use the Paint Code to Identify the Official Color

With a confirmed paint code, the next task is to find the official color name and matching formula. This is essential when ordering touch-up products or having a body shop mix paint.

Dealer and Manufacturer Resources

Automaker networks maintain up-to-date color databases tied to VINs and paint codes. These are often the most authoritative sources, especially for newer or special-order colors.

The list below outlines how to use official channels to turn your paint code into a precise color match.

• Contact a dealership: Provide your VIN and paint code to the parts or service department. They can look up the exact color name and any variant information.
• Use official owner portals: Many brands offer online owner accounts (e.g., Toyota, Ford, GM, Hyundai) that show the original paint color name once you register your VIN.
• Check digital owner’s manuals: Some manuals or technical bulletins list color codes by model and year; these can confirm that your code matches your vehicle configuration.
• Ask about color variants: Dealers can often see if a color has multiple “variants” (slightly different formulas). This is important for blending and large repairs.

Working through official channels gives you confidence that any paint mixed or ordered is based on the exact specifications your vehicle had when built.

Online Paint Code Databases and Tools

If you prefer self-service or your car is older, several reputable online tools and databases cross-reference paint codes and color names. Many are used directly by professional body shops.

The following list highlights how these online resources can help you translate a code into a usable paint product.

• Dedicated paint code websites: Sites like PaintScratch, AutomotiveTouchup, or OEM-specific lookup tools let you select your year, make, model, and then confirm the color by paint code.
• Professional paint brand systems: Major brands such as PPG, BASF, Axalta, and Sherwin-Williams offer online formula finders where you can input your OEM code to get mixing recipes.
• VIN-based search tools: Some online vendors let you search by VIN and automatically locate the matching OEM color and code for your vehicle.
• Enthusiast forums and databases: For classic or less common models, marque-specific forums often host paint code charts and historical factory documentation.

Using these online systems, you can bridge the gap between a cryptic code on a door sticker and a real-world product like a spray can, touch-up pen, or quart of paint.

Step 4: Obtain Touch-Up Paint or Mixed Paint

Once you know the correct OEM color code and name, you can choose the format and supplier that best fits your needs, from small chips to full panel resprays.

Choosing the Right Paint Format

Different jobs call for different paint types and quantities. Your choice affects both cost and the quality of the final result.

The list below explains the main paint formats and when each is appropriate.

• Touch-up pens: Ideal for tiny stone chips or hairline scratches. Easy to use but limited for larger defects.
• Brush bottles: Small bottles with integrated brushes work for slightly larger chips, edges, and hidden areas, though they can leave visible texture.
• Aerosol cans: Suitable for small panels, mirrors, trim pieces, and DIY jobs. They require careful prep and blending but are accessible and relatively inexpensive.
• Pre-mixed quarts or liters: Used with spray guns for professional repairs or larger panels. Typically sold by automotive paint suppliers who mix to your OEM code.
• Full systems (base coat + clear coat + primer): Many OEM finishes are multi-stage; you may need a compatible primer, color coat, and clear coat for a proper match and durability.

Selecting the right format ensures you balance convenience, cost, and finish quality, whether you’re addressing a single chip or refinishing an entire panel.

Where to Buy OEM-Matched Paint

Reliable sources for OEM-matched paint blend factory data with modern mixing systems. Choosing a reputable supplier improves your odds of a near-invisible repair.

The following list describes the best places to purchase paint that matches your OEM color code.

• Dealership parts departments: Often sell official touch-up pens or bottles labeled with your OEM color name and code.
• Local automotive paint suppliers: Professional paint stores can scan your code, access mixing formulas, and provide custom-mixed paint or aerosols.
• Online specialty vendors: Websites that focus on OEM-matched automotive paint can ship touch-up kits, aerosols, and larger quantities matched to your code.
• Body shops: A shop performing repairs on your car will mix paint to your code and may also fine-tune the tint for an even closer match.

By purchasing from these specialized channels and providing your exact code, you greatly reduce the risk of receiving an off-color product or an incompatible paint type.

Step 5: Confirm the Match and Account for Aging

Even with the correct OEM code, your car’s current color may have shifted due to sun exposure, weather, and age. Verifying the match before major work helps avoid visible mismatches.

Why Perfect Matches Aren’t Always Perfect

Factory-correct paint can still look slightly different on an older vehicle. Clear coat degradation, oxidation, past repairs, and polishing can all influence apparent color and gloss levels.

How Professionals Check and Adjust Color

Body shops and paint suppliers use both human judgment and hardware tools to refine color matching beyond the basic OEM formula.

The list below explains how professionals handle color matching when exact OEM formulas meet real-world wear and tear.

• Spray-out cards: A small test panel sprayed with your mixed paint is compared visually against the car under natural and shop lighting.
• Color variant selection: Many OEM colors have multiple variants (lighter, darker, more metallic). Mixers select the variant that best matches your car’s current tone.
• Spectrophotometer scans: A handheld device reads the actual color on your vehicle and recommends a custom-adjusted formula.
• Blending adjacent panels: Instead of painting a single panel edge-to-edge, shops blend the new paint into neighboring panels to disguise small differences.

By combining the OEM code with modern color-matching techniques, professionals can achieve a result that visually disappears into the surrounding original paint.

Special Cases: Customs, Repaints, and Classic Cars

Sometimes the original factory color code no longer tells the full story—especially if your vehicle has been repainted, customized, or is old enough that factory records are incomplete.

If the Car Has Been Repainted

Previous owners or shops may have changed the color or used non-OEM products. In those situations, the label in the door jamb might describe a color that’s no longer on the car.

The methods below outline how to deal with vehicles whose current color doesn’t match their original OEM code.

• Inspect hidden areas: Look under rubber seals, inside door jambs, under the trunk carpet, or under trim pieces for traces of the original OEM color.
• Ask the previous owner or shop: They may have records of the brand, color name, and formula used for the repaint.
• Use a spectrophotometer: A paint shop can scan the visible color to create a formula that matches the current finish, regardless of its origin.
• Label your new color: If you repaint again, keep documentation of the paint code, brand, and formula for future repairs.

In such cases, the OEM code is still useful for historical reference, but a modern scan and custom mix may be the only way to accurately match what’s now on the vehicle.

Classic and Older Vehicles

For older models, especially classics or discontinued brands, paint codes may follow outdated formats, and some OEM formulas may no longer exist in current systems.

The list below details strategies for finding and using OEM colors on older or collector vehicles.

• Factory literature and brochures: Period brochures, body manuals, and build sheets often list paint codes and names by year.
• Marque clubs and registries: Owners’ clubs frequently maintain detailed color charts and cross-references to modern paint systems.
• Historic formula libraries: Major paint manufacturers keep archives that translate old OEM codes into modern equivalents where possible.
• Custom color matching: When original formulas are missing, shops can match surviving original paint on hidden areas through spectrophotometer scanning and manual tinting.

These approaches allow you to stay faithful to the vehicle’s period-correct appearance even when the original manufacturer’s systems are no longer active.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Errors in identifying or using OEM paint colors can lead to visible mismatches, wasted money, and frustration. Understanding the most frequent pitfalls can help you avoid them.

Typical Errors When Finding and Using OEM Paint Colors

The following list highlights the main mistakes people make during the paint identification and repair process and how to steer clear of them.

• Relying only on the color name: Names like “Pearl White” or “Midnight Black” are reused and can have multiple codes and variants.
• Confusing trim or interior codes with paint codes: Grabbing the wrong code from a crowded label can result in ordering the wrong color.
• Ignoring model year and plant differences: A code used in one year or region may correspond to a slightly different shade in another.
• Skipping test panels: Applying untested paint directly to a visible area increases the risk of obvious mismatch.
• Underestimating preparation and clear coat: Even a perfect color match will look wrong without proper sanding, priming, and clear coating.

By double-checking codes, confirming with test sprays, and respecting the full paint system, you can dramatically improve the outcome of any repair or touch-up job.

Summary

Finding your vehicle’s OEM paint color begins with locating the factory paint code on the car itself—typically on a label in the driver’s door jamb, under the hood, in the trunk, or in the glovebox. Once you have that code, verify that it refers to the exterior color, then use manufacturer databases, dealers, and reputable online tools to identify the official color name and mixing formula. With this information, you can obtain properly matched touch-up pens, aerosols, or professional-grade paint, and—ideally with test panels and, if needed, spectrophotometer scans—achieve a finish that closely matches the original, even on aging or previously repainted vehicles.

How do I find my exact paint color?

To get an exact paint color match, bring a small, inconspicuous paint sample to a paint or hardware store for their computerized spectrophotometer to analyze. For a more immediate, though less precise, option, use a color-matching app on your phone by taking a photo of the paint next to a neutral white object.
 
Professional matching (most accurate)
This video demonstrates how to take a paint sample from the wall: 57sTribble Painting CompanyYouTube · Sep 15, 2023

1. Take a sample: Use a utility knife to carefully cut a small, inch-square sample from an inconspicuous area of the wall, like behind an outlet cover or a piece of furniture. 
2. Clean the sample: Wipe the sample to remove any dust or dirt before taking it to the store. 
3. Go to the store: Take the chip to a paint or hardware store that offers computerized color matching. 
4. Analyze the sample: The staff will use a spectrophotometer to scan the sample and create the closest match from their brand’s colors. 
5. Patch the area: Before painting, patch the spot where you took the sample with spackle, sand it smooth, and let it dry. 

DIY matching (less accurate)

• Color-matching apps: Download a paint-matching app that uses your phone’s camera. To get the best results, take a picture of the paint next to a white card or a clean, white surface. 
• Electronic color matchers: Purchase a handheld electronic color matcher to scan the wall and find a close match. 
• Take home samples: Bring paint samples home and paint small test squares on the wall to see how they look in your specific lighting before committing to a full can. 

What is my paint code by VIN?

You cannot get a paint code directly from the VIN, but you can use it as a tool to find the code on the vehicle itself or by contacting the manufacturer. Check for a sticker in the driver’s door jamb, the engine compartment, or the trunk, as well as the owner’s manual or service history, where the code is typically listed. Alternatively, provide your VIN to the dealership, and they can look up the exact code for you. 
Where to find the paint code on your car

• Door jamb: Look for a sticker on the inside of the driver’s door, often near the hinges. 
• Engine compartment: Check for a sticker on the firewall or radiator support. 
• Boot/Trunk: Look for a sticker inside the trunk, often on the floor or near the spare tire. 
• Under the hood: Sometimes the paint code is listed on a metal plate or sticker in the engine bay. 

How to use your VIN

• Contact the dealership: Provide your VIN to the service department, and they can look up the correct paint code in their system. 
• Use online tools: Some online paint suppliers and VIN decoder websites use the VIN to help you find the correct code for your car’s make and model, but you may still need to verify the code on the vehicle itself. 

What to look for

• The code is usually a 3- to 4-character combination of letters and numbers (e.g., 41V, KTV, 268a). 
• It may be labeled as “EXT PNT,” “BODY COLOR CODE,” or something similar on the vehicle’s sticker. 

How to find OEM color code?

When you open the driver’s door, a rectangular label is affixed either to the door edge or the B pillar. Along with the VIN and important information like GVWR, it often has the vehicle paint code printed on it.

Can I use my VIN to find my paint color?

No, you cannot find your car’s paint code by VIN alone, as the VIN is a unique vehicle identifier and does not contain the paint code. However, you can use the VIN to find the code by contacting the manufacturer or a dealership, or by looking for the paint code on a sticker in your car. 
Where to find your paint code

• On a sticker inside the driver’s door: Look for a sticker on the door jamb or B-pillar that contains terms like “EXT PNT” or “BODY COLOR CODE,” says CarParts.com. 
• On a label under the hood: Some cars have a sticker or placard with paint information in the engine bay, although it can sometimes be hard to read due to age and heat, according to AutoZone.com. 
• In your owner’s manual: The paint code is often listed in the service history or owner’s manual for your vehicle, notes Holts Auto. 

If you can’t find the code on your car 

• Contact the dealership: Provide the VIN to the manufacturer or an authorized dealer, and they can look up the exact factory paint color for you, says JustAnswer. 
• Use online VIN decoding tools: Some online tools and websites can help you find paint codes, but you should always verify the code directly from your vehicle or a dealer for accuracy, as online tools may have inaccuracies, notes Partify.