What Paint Color Is My Audi?

Your Audi’s exact paint color can be identified by its official paint code, which is printed on a label in the car and can also be decoded using your VIN or Audi’s digital records; without that code or a clear image, no one can reliably name the precise color just by description alone.

Why Identifying Your Audi’s Exact Paint Color Matters

For Audi owners, knowing the precise paint color is crucial when ordering touch‑up paint, repairing accident damage, or matching aftermarket parts like bumpers or mirror caps. Audi has used thousands of color and finish variations—often with very similar shades and confusing names—so relying on guesswork, dealership memory, or online photos is risky. Instead, Audi ties each vehicle to a specific paint code, typically a short alphanumeric string (for example, “LY9B” or “LZ7S”) plus a marketing name like “Brilliant Black” or “Daytona Grey Pearl.”

Where to Find Your Audi Paint Code on the Car

Audi usually places the paint-code label in a few standard locations inside the vehicle. Knowing where to look will save time and avoid mistakes when ordering paint.

The following list explains the most common places Audi owners can check to locate the official paint-code label on their vehicles.

• Spare-wheel / luggage compartment area: In many Audis, a white or black data sticker is found near the spare wheel well or on the trunk floor, often under the carpet or near the toolkit. The paint code appears on this sticker alongside engine and option codes.
• Driver’s side door frame (B‑pillar): Some newer models place a vehicle information label on the driver’s door jamb or B‑pillar. It may show the paint code or at least confirm the official color name.
• Service or maintenance booklet: In earlier generations, Audi duplicated the data sticker inside the first pages of the service/maintenance booklet. If you still have the original documents, they often list the paint code there.
• Trunk side panels or under floor panels: On some models, especially SUVs and hatchbacks, the sticker may be on a side trim panel or beneath an access panel in the boot area.
• Charging flap (certain EVs and plug‑in hybrids): A small label near the charge port on some late-model Audi EVs and PHEVs can reference the exterior color name, though not always the full code.

Once you locate this sticker or label, you’ll have the authoritative reference for your Audi’s exact paint code, which body shops and parts suppliers use to mix or order a correct color match.

How to Read Audi Paint Codes and Names

An Audi paint code usually appears as a three- or four-character sequence, frequently beginning with “L” (for “Lack,” German for paint) followed by letters and numbers. The same physical color can have multiple marketing names, and slight variations can exist across model years, so the code is more reliable than the color name alone.

The following list outlines how Audi paint codes and names typically work and how you can interpret them.

• Common code formats: Examples include LY9B (Brilliant Black), LZ7S (Daytona Grey Pearl Effect), LX5A (Ara Blue), and LS9R (Glacier White Metallic). The prefix “L” is standard; the remaining characters identify the exact formula.
• Multiple names for similar shades: Audi might market closely related blacks as “Brilliant Black,” “Mythos Black Metallic,” or “Phantom Black Pearl,” each with distinct codes and finishes (solid, metallic, pearl).
• Finish type indicators: While not always obvious from the code, the accompanying description will specify “solid,” “metallic,” or “pearl effect.” This matters for how the paint is mixed and applied.
• Year and model dependencies: Some colors exist only for certain generations or performance trims (e.g., RS models). A name like “Nardo Grey” could be tied to different availability ranges, but the paint code stays consistent.
• Regional differences: In some markets, Audi may use slightly different marketing names or emphasize certain special colors, though the underlying code generally stays the same.

By focusing on the code rather than only the name, you ensure a level of precision that avoids the subtle but visible mismatches that can occur when relying on general color descriptions.

Using Your VIN and Audi’s Digital Records

If you cannot access the physical label in your Audi, your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) can be used to retrieve the official paint specification. This is especially helpful if interior trim or trunk panels were removed or replaced, or if the ownership documents are missing.

The steps below summarize how your VIN and Audi’s systems can help you identify the correct paint color.

1. Contact an Audi dealer or authorized service center: Provide your full 17‑character VIN. Dealers can look up your build sheet, which includes the factory paint code and name.
2. Use manufacturer or regional owner portals: In some regions, owners can register on an official Audi online portal. When you add your VIN, the system may display build information, sometimes including the paint color.
3. Check past repair invoices: High-quality body shops often document the paint code used in previous repairs. If the car has had professional paintwork, older invoices may show the color code.
4. Ask for a printout or screenshot of build data: When visiting a dealer, you can request a copy of your car’s build spec, which typically lists the exterior color by both name and code.

Relying on your VIN and Audi’s internal data is particularly valuable when the vehicle’s labels are hard to access or may have been lost during prior repairs or modifications.

When the Car May No Longer Match the Factory Color

Even with an accurate Audi paint code, the color you see on the car today might not perfectly match what left the factory. Over time, sunlight, environmental conditions, and prior repairs can alter the appearance of the finish.

The following points explain why your current Audi’s paint might differ visually from the original code and what that means for color matching.

• Full resprays and color changes: A previous owner or body shop may have repainted the entire car in a different color without updating labels or paperwork, leaving you with factory documentation that no longer reflects reality.
• Partial repairs with poor color matching: Panels like bumpers, doors, or fenders may have been repainted using a close—but not exact—match, leading to slight mismatches under certain lighting.
• Sun fading and weathering: Especially on reds, blues, and some metallics, UV exposure can lighten or shift the color over years, while the original formula code stays the same.
• Differences in materials: Plastic parts (bumpers, mirrors) can reflect paint differently than metal panels, creating a perceived mismatch even when the proper code is used.
• Blending techniques: Professional body shops often “blend” adjacent panels to minimize visible differences, which can slightly change the look of the surrounding paint areas.

Because of these factors, body shops typically use the factory paint code as a starting point, then visually adjust or “tint” the mix to align with the car’s current, real‑world appearance.

Why a Photo or Description Isn’t Enough

People often hope to identify an Audi’s paint color by posting photos online or describing the car as “silver,” “dark blue,” or “flat grey.” While this might get you in the right general family of shades, it is not precise enough for ordering or mixing paint.

The following reasons illustrate why visual guesses and basic descriptions routinely fail to produce an exact match for Audi paints.

• Color families with many variants: Audi has multiple silvers (e.g., “Ice Silver Metallic,” “Florett Silver Metallic,” “Solaris Silver”) and greys (e.g., “Nardo Grey,” “Daytona Grey Pearl Effect,” “Quantum Grey”), all subtly different.
• Lighting and camera issues: Smartphone photos change color balance depending on time of day, weather, and device settings, making blues look greener, greys look bluer, or blacks look brownish.
• Screen calibration: Computer and phone screens vary widely in brightness and color temperature; what looks “Nardo Grey” on one screen may resemble “Quantum Grey” on another.
• Lack of finish detail: Metallic and pearl effects are highly dependent on viewing angle and light. A flat photo can hide metallic flake or pearl layers that are essential to matching the finish.
• Year and model overlap: Different model years can share similar colors with different codes, or the same color name can appear on multiple Audi lines—guessing by eye doesn’t account for this.

Because of these limitations, professionals insist on using the documented paint code, label, or VIN-based build sheet rather than relying on photos or subjective impressions.

What You Should Do Next

If You Have the Car With You

If your Audi is physically accessible, the quickest path is to go directly to the labels and documentation, then verify via a dealer if needed.

The steps below outline a practical process you can follow to pinpoint your Audi’s official paint color.

1. Search for the data sticker: Open the trunk and lift the floor panel near the spare wheel; check for a white or black label with codes. If not there, inspect the driver’s door jamb and any labels in the luggage area.
2. Write down the paint code and color name: Look for a sequence like “LZ7S” or “LY9B” and any printed color name (e.g., “Brilliant Black,” “Glacier White Metallic”).
3. Cross-check with your service book: If you have the original maintenance booklet, compare the sticker there with the label on the car to confirm consistency.
4. Verify with an Audi dealer: Call or visit an Audi dealer, provide your VIN and the code you found, and ask them to confirm the official exterior color in their system.
5. Use the confirmed code to order paint: Once confirmed, use that exact code when buying touch‑up pens, spray cans, or specifying paint for repair work.

Following these steps ensures that when you say “this is the color of my Audi,” you’re referring not just to a rough shade, but to the precise factory specification that professionals rely on.

If You Do Not Have Access to the Car

Sometimes, owners need paint information while away from the vehicle—when arranging repairs remotely, discussing a purchase, or ordering parts online.

The list below provides alternatives you can use to obtain the correct color information even when you can’t directly inspect the vehicle.

• Use your VIN and contact Audi: Call an Audi dealer or customer service line, provide the VIN (from registration documents or insurance records), and ask them to look up the exterior paint code.
• Check past service or insurance paperwork: Repair estimates, body shop invoices, or insurance claim forms may explicitly list the color or paint code used during earlier work.
• Ask the previous owner or selling dealer: If you recently bought the car, the previous seller may still have original documentation, brochures, or order forms listing the paint color.
• Review online ads or build sheets: If the car was listed on a dealer website, archived listings sometimes include the official color name, which can be paired with a code once your dealer confirms it.
• Avoid ordering paint solely from photos: Even if a vendor claims to match from images, always try to follow up with the VIN or factory code before finalizing the order.

These options help you narrow down the correct Audi paint color without physically inspecting the car, though final confirmation should always come from manufacturer-based data whenever possible.

Key Takeaway

Without the actual paint code or Audi build data, no one can tell you with certainty what paint color your Audi is—only rough guesses. To get a precise answer, locate the paint-code label in the trunk or door jamb, check your maintenance booklet, or provide your VIN to an Audi dealer so they can pull your car’s factory specification. Once you have that code and name, every body shop or paint supplier can work from the same accurate reference.

Summary

Your Audi’s true paint color is defined by its factory paint code, not by appearance in photos or general descriptions like “silver” or “black.” You can usually find that code on a data sticker in the trunk/spare‑wheel area, on the driver’s door jamb, or in the service booklet. If those are unavailable, a dealer can use your VIN to retrieve the official color and code from Audi’s database. Because repaints, fading, and lighting can alter how the car looks, professionals always start with this official code and then visually adjust as needed. To answer the question “What paint color is my Audi?” you must first obtain and confirm that code—anything less is only an approximation.

Can I find my car color by reg?

Yes! You can find the paint code for the vast majority of modern vehicles using the registration number. Finding the paint code for classic cars can be more challenging.

Can I use my VIN to find paint code?

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. 

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

To find your car’s color, check the driver’s side door jamb for a sticker that often has a paint code. Other common locations include under the hood or the window sticker. If you can’t find the code, provide your VIN to the car dealership or check an online VIN lookup tool. 
This video shows how to find the paint code on your car: 45sAuto V Fix YouTube · Mar 1, 2024
Where to look on your car

• Driver’s door jamb: Open the driver’s door and look for a label or sticker on the door frame or the pillar where the door latches. This is the most common location. 
• Under the hood: Look for a sticker or placard under the hood that may contain the paint code. 
• Window sticker: The original window sticker from when the car was new often lists the paint code. 
• Other possible locations: Some manufacturers may place the code in the glove box, trunk, or owner’s manual. 
• Owner’s manual: The owner’s manual is another place to check for the paint code. 

What to do if you can’t find the code

• Contact the dealership: Provide your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to a dealership, and they can look up the exact color code for you.
• Use online tools: Some online resources can provide the color code using your VIN, but not all online VIN lookup tools have this information. 

How do I find out what color my Audi is?

Audi Paint Code Location
You will find the paint code located on the manufacturer’s tag, which also has other important vehicle information on it.