What Is Audi White Called?
Audi’s most commonly referenced “Audi white” is officially called Ibis White, a solid, non-metallic paint color used widely across the brand’s lineup. In addition, Audi has offered several other white shades over the years—such as Glacier White Metallic and Suzuka Gray Metallic—which are sometimes confused or informally lumped together as “Audi white.” Understanding the exact name depends on model year, trim level, and market.
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The Core Answer: Ibis White as the Default “Audi White”
When owners, dealers, and enthusiasts refer generically to “Audi white,” they almost always mean Ibis White. This color has been a staple of Audi’s palette for many years and appears on popular models like the A3, A4, A5, Q3, Q5, and others. It is a clean, bright, solid white with no metallic flake, designed to emphasize Audi’s sharp body lines and design language.
Key White Paint Names in the Audi Range
Ibis White: The Signature Solid White
Among Audi’s paint codes, Ibis White stands out as the most recognizable and widely used white. It is often the no-cost “standard” paint on many models, meaning you do not pay an upgrade surcharge as you would for metallic or pearl finishes.
- Type: Solid (non-metallic) paint
- Look: Bright, neutral white with a crisp, clean appearance
- Use: Available on a wide range of models and trims, especially volume sellers
- Paint codes (commonly used): LY9C or T9; codes can vary slightly by region and catalog system
- Maintenance: Easier to touch up than complex metallics; shows dirt but hides fine swirl marks better than darker colors
- Visual effect: Emphasizes Audi’s sharp creases and LED lighting signatures; often seen in marketing and press imagery
This list highlights the main characteristics that define Ibis White as Audi’s signature white choice.
Together, these features have made Ibis White the de facto answer when someone asks what “Audi white” is called, particularly on mainstream models.
Glacier White Metallic: The Sparkling Alternative
Many buyers who say they want an “Audi white” car may actually be looking at Glacier White Metallic, which is a popular upgrade color. While still clearly white, it adds metallic flake for more depth and shimmer.
- Type: Metallic paint
- Look: Slightly cooler tone than Ibis White, with a subtle silver/pearl sparkle under sunlight
- Typical paint code: LS9R (may be referenced differently in some internal catalogs)
- Positioning: Usually an extra-cost option positioned as a more “premium” white finish
- Perceived value: Often preferred by buyers who want more visual depth and a more “luxury” appearance
- Maintenance: Hides light dust and minor imperfections somewhat better than a flat bright white, but repairs and blending can be trickier than with a solid color
The following points summarize how Glacier White Metallic differs from Audi’s basic Ibis White.
Glacier White Metallic is therefore another key name you will encounter when someone refers to “white Audis,” especially in dealer brochures and online configurators.
Other Notable Audi White and Near-White Shades
Beyond Ibis White and Glacier White Metallic, Audi has offered several other white or near-white colors, some of them more niche, performance-oriented, or tied to specific models or years.
- Suzuka Gray Metallic: A very light, warm gray with a slight beige tone, used prominently on RS and S models; often looks off-white in some lighting.
- Polar White (less common in recent years): A bright white used in some markets and older model years; not as widely available as Ibis White in the modern range.
- Cortina White (historical): An older-generation solid white seen on classic Audis and earlier model lines.
- Panther White or Pearl Whites (market- and era-dependent): Pearlescent whites with multi-layer finishes, more complex and with strong color-flop in sunlight.
- Exclusive/Individual whites: Through Audi Exclusive (Audi Individual in some regions), buyers can sometimes specify special white tones, including matte whites or custom hues.
This list outlines other white-adjacent Audi colors that are sometimes confused with or discussed alongside “Audi white.”
While these colors may be described casually as “white,” each has its own code, finish type, and personality, making the exact name important when ordering or repairing a car.
How to Confirm Which White Your Audi Has
Because Audi has used several white shades over time, confirming the exact color name on a specific car requires checking the official paint information, not just looking at photos or relying on memory.
- Check the vehicle data sticker: This label, often found in the trunk area (spare wheel well), inside the service book, or in the driver’s door jamb, contains the official paint code (e.g.,
LY9Cfor Ibis White orLS9Rfor Glacier White Metallic). - Use the VIN at a dealer: Audi dealerships can look up the original paint color via the VIN and confirm the exact name and code.
- Consult the owner’s manual or build sheet: Some markets provide a full build specification that lists the paint name explicitly.
- Paint code cross-reference tools: Body shops and online databases can cross-reference Audi paint codes with commercial paint systems (e.g., PPG, Glasurit) to match or mix the correct color.
- Be cautious with photos: Lighting, camera settings, and editing often make Ibis White and Glacier White Metallic look similar or misleadingly different in images.
The steps below explain how owners and buyers can accurately identify the precise white color on an Audi.
By relying on the official code and documentation, owners avoid confusion between the multiple white tones Audi has used, especially when ordering touch-up paint or arranging bodywork.
Why Audi Uses Multiple Whites
Audi’s design strategy pairs its minimalist, geometric bodywork with carefully selected paint colors, and white plays a crucial role in that visual identity.
- Design emphasis: Solid white like Ibis White highlights sharp lines and contrast with black trim, grilles, and glass.
- Premium differentiation: Metallic whites such as Glacier White Metallic provide a more upmarket look, often associated with higher-trim models.
- Performance identity: Near-whites like Suzuka Gray Metallic give RS and S models a distinctive motorsport-inspired aesthetic without resorting to loud colors.
- Market preferences: Different regions favor different tones; some markets lean toward bright solid whites, others toward cooler metallic whites.
- Brand continuity: Maintaining long-running colors like Ibis White creates visual continuity across generations of Audi vehicles.
This list details the main reasons Audi continues to offer several different white shades simultaneously.
Collectively, these factors explain why “Audi white” is not a single concept in the paint catalog but a small family of related shades tuned to different buyers and models.
Summary
The name most people are looking for when they ask what “Audi white” is called is Ibis White, Audi’s long-standing solid white paint commonly offered as the standard color on many models. Alongside it, Audi also offers Glacier White Metallic and other near-white hues like Suzuka Gray Metallic, which can appear white depending on the light and are often confused with the brand’s core white. To know exactly which white an individual Audi wears, the definitive method is to check the vehicle’s paint code on the data sticker or through an Audi dealer, ensuring precision for ordering, repairs, or resale discussions.


