How to Find the Right Car Paint Code For Touch Ups
- Painted OEM Parts
- Nov 27, 2025
- 6 min read
You're standing in your driveway, staring at that annoying scratch on your car's bumper. You know exactly what you need: touch up paint that matches perfectly. But there's one problem. You have no idea where to find your car paint code, and that little sequence of letters and numbers is the key to making that scratch disappear.
Here's the challenge: finding your paint code is only half the battle. You need to make sure it's the RIGHT code, properly recorded, and verified before ordering touch up paint. One wrong character or misread label means you'll end up with paint that doesn't match.
In this guide, we'll show you exactly where to find car paint code on your vehicle, how to verify you've got the correct code, and what to watch out for to ensure your touch up paint matches perfectly. Once you know where to look, finding and confirming your paint code takes less than ten minutes.
What Does a Paint Code Actually Look Like?
Before we dive into specific locations, let's talk about what you're actually looking for. Paint codes vary by manufacturer, but they typically consist of 2-6 characters that include letters, numbers, or both.
Here are some examples:
Honda/Acura: NH731P (letters and numbers )
Ford: M7 or UX (usually 2 characters)
Toyota: 1G3 or 8S6 (3 characters, number-letter-number)
Chevrolet: WA636R (letters, numbers, letter)
BMW: A96 or 475 (3 characters)
Mercedes-Benz: 040 or 755 (3 numbers)
The code is usually printed on a small sticker or metal plate somewhere on your vehicle. It might be labeled as "Paint Code," "Color Code," "C/TR," or just "Paint." Sometimes it's listed among other vehicle information without any label at all.
How to Find Car Paint Code: Location Guide by Manufacturer
Ready to track down your touch up paint code? Here are the most common locations by manufacturer.
Domestic Vehicles
Ford, Lincoln, Mercury: Check the driver's side door jamb (white or silver sticker marked "Ext. Paint"), inside the glove box, or under the hood near the strut tower. The code is usually 2 characters.
Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Cadillac: Look at the driver's side door jamb for "Service Parts Identification" sticker, inside the glove box, or trunk area. The code appears after "BC/CC" and includes letters and numbers with a dash.
Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Ram: Most common location is the driver's side door jamb. Look for a sticker with "PNT" designation.
Asian Imports
Honda and Acura: Driver's side door jamb (yellow or white sticker), inside the driver's door edge, or under the hood on the firewall. Look for the code after "Color" or "C."
Toyota and Lexus: Driver's side door jamb is most reliable. Look for "C/TR" on the sticker, with your paint code location immediately following.
Nissan, Infiniti, Mazda, Hyundai, Kia: All typically place codes on the driver's side door jamb. Nissan codes appear after "Color" (3 characters), Mazda codes are 2-3 characters, and Korean brands use 2-3 characters.
European Vehicles
BMW: Under the hood near the strut towers (driver's side), door jamb, or trunk. The code is typically 3 characters.
Mercedes-Benz: Under the hood on the radiator support, driver's door jamb, or trunk area. Look for 3 numbers after "Paint" or "Farbcode."
Audi and Volkswagen: Inside the trunk on the spare tire cover, under the hood, or in your service booklet. Look for "Paint" or "Farbe" with 2-4 characters.
Volvo: Under the hood on the strut tower (driver's side) or inside the driver's door jamb. The code appears as 3 digits.
Still Can't Find Your Paint Code? Try These Tips
Sometimes that paint code plays hide and seek better than a toddler. If you've checked all the common locations and come up empty, try these strategies:
Check Your Owner's Manual: The manual often includes a diagram showing exactly where to find your paint code. It might even list the code itself if the manual is vehicle-specific rather than a generic model guide.
Look for the VIN Plate: Your Vehicle Identification Number plate might be near the paint code sticker. Common VIN plate locations include the dashboard (visible through the windshield), driver's side door jamb, and under the hood.
Try Alternative Locations: Some vehicles hide paint codes in unusual spots:
Inside the fuel door
On the firewall (the panel between the engine and passenger compartment)
Inside the trunk, under carpeting or panels
On the underside of the hood
Clean the Area: Years of dirt and grime can obscure labels. Use a damp cloth to gently clean potential paint code locations. The sticker might be there but covered in road debris.
Use Your VIN: If you absolutely cannot locate the paint code, your VIN can help. Contact your dealer with your VIN, and they can look up your original paint code in the manufacturer's database. This works best for vehicles less than 10-15 years old.
How to Verify You Have the Right Paint Code
Found your paint code? Great! But before ordering touch up paint, take these verification steps to ensure accuracy:
Document It Clearly: Take a clear, well-lit photo of the entire paint code sticker. Make sure all characters are visible and in focus. Poor photos lead to misread codes.
Record It Carefully: Write down the code exactly as shown. Pay special attention to characters that look similar.
Double Check Against Examples: Compare your code format to the examples for your manufacturer listed earlier in this guide. Does your Honda code follow the NH-731P format? Does your Ford code match the typical 2-character pattern?
Check Multiple Sources If Possible: If your vehicle has paint code information in multiple locations, verify both match. Some vehicles list the code in the door jamb AND under the hood.
Consider Professional Verification: If you're unsure about any character or if the sticker is damaged, contact your dealer with your VIN. They can confirm the exact factory paint code for your specific vehicle.
Common Paint Code Mistakes to Avoid
Even with the right code, things can go wrong. Here's what to watch out for:
Faded Paint: After years in the sun, your paint has likely faded. Fresh paint using your code might look slightly different than your existing faded paint. This is usually acceptable for small touch ups but consider painting adjacent panels for larger repairs.
Confusing Similar Characters: Paint codes use characters that look alike. Always double check: Is that a zero or an O? The number 1 or letter I? One wrong character means you've recorded the wrong identifier entirely, which will lead you to an incorrect color family.
Ignoring Paint Type: Know whether your vehicle has metallic, pearl, or solid paint. This information is separate from the paint code but helps when ordering touch up materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my VIN number to find my paint code?
Your VIN doesn't directly show the paint code, but dealerships can use it to look up your original factory code in their system. This helps when the paint code sticker is missing or illegible. Some dealers charge a small fee, and older vehicles may not have readily available information.
What if my car has been repainted and the original sticker is missing?
If your paint code sticker is missing or your vehicle has been repainted, the original code may not be visible. Contact your dealership with your VIN to retrieve the factory paint code. For repainted vehicles, the body shop should have documented the new code used.
Is the paint code the same for all parts of my car?
Generally, yes. Your paint code applies to all painted body panels. Exceptions include two-tone paint schemes where different sections have separate codes. Check your vehicle's information sticker, which will list multiple codes if applicable.
Finding Your Car Paint Code Successfully
Now that you know where to find your car paint code and how to verify it's correct, you're ready to order touch up paint with confidence. The key steps are straightforward:
Check the common locations for your vehicle's manufacturer
Document the code clearly with photos and written notes
Verify you've recorded each character correctly
Finding the code is the easy part when you know where to look. Ensuring accuracy through careful documentation and verification is what prevents ordering mistakes. Keep in mind that while the paint code tells you the color, the color can vary for a number of reasons. This is why professional paint suppliers and body shops use the code as a starting point for custom color matching.
Take your time, double-check those similar-looking characters, and you'll have the right code for your touch up needs.
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