Find Your Car’s Exact Paint Code by VIN
Input your VIN to quickly and accurately discover your car’s original color and paint type. This tool ensures precise matching for any touch-up or repaint job, preserving your vehicle’s resale value and its original charm.
What is a Paint Code by VIN?
Every vehicle comes with a unique color identifier known as a paint code. This code is a combination of numbers and letters that represents the exact shade, finish, and formulation of your car’s exterior paint.
Here’s the thing: the paint code is not the same as the color name. Two cars might both say “Metallic Silver,” but their paint codes could be totally different. For example, 1F7 for one and WA636R for another.
They might look similar in the sun, but they’re mixed differently. That’s why knowing your actual paint code by VIN matters when ordering touch-up paint or doing bodywork.
Can You Find Your Paint Code by VIN?
The VIN on its own does not directly show the paint code of a vehicle. The VIN is a unique identifier that contains important details about your vehicle’s make, model, manufacturing date, and other specifications, but the exact paint code is not encoded within those 17 characters.
However, you can get window sticker lookup by VIN to find any car’s exact factory color information, including the interior and exterior colors of the vehicle. For example,
- Exterior color: Blue Metallic
- Interior color: Dune White/Perforated Leather-Trimmed Bucket Seats
How to Find Paint Code by VIN Number?
While a window sticker lookup by VIN can reveal the car paint color (exterior and interior) and the paint type (e.g. clear coat), it doesn’t provide the precise paint code. Some steps you can take to view the vehicle’s true color by VIN are:
Step 1: Find the VIN
Locate your 17-digit VIN on the dashboard of the vehicle, the driver-side door jamb, or on its documents.
Step 2: Fill out the Form
Enter the VIN into the form above and submit it. No VIN? You can also get the vehicle’s color using the license plate number or year, make, and model information.
Step 3: View the Vehicle’s Factory Color
Receive and review your car window sticker, downloadable as a printable PDF.
Where to Find the Paint Code on Your Vehicle?
The easiest method to verify a vehicle’s color is through a VIN lookup, but you can also locate the paint code by checking the vehicle. A manufacturer label is affixed to most cars somewhere on the body that displays the respective code.
Some common paint code locations include:
- Driver Door Sticker: This is the most common place. Open the driver’s door and look at the door jamb; you’ll find a sticker with the VIN, tire pressures, and paint code (labeled “Paint,” “Color,” or “PNT”).
- Radiator Support or Engine Bay: Pop the hood and check the radiator support bar or the firewall, especially on older Japanese models like Honda, Toyota, and Mazda.
- Glove Box: Some GM and Nissan vehicles print the paint code inside the glove compartment or on a service label.
- Trunk Lid or Spare Tire Area: Check under the trunk lid or near the spare tire compartment. You’ll often find it there on BMW and Mercedes-Benz models.
- Wheel Well or Under Carpets: Less common, but possible on older or classic vehicles.
Each manufacturer has its own preferred label spot, so if you’re not sure where to look, using a VIN and window sticker lookup can provide the actual color and save a lot of time and guesswork.
Get More than Paint Color with a Window Sticker by VIN
A window sticker lookup doesn’t just confirm your car’s original paint color. It shows the complete picture. You’ll see your vehicle’s factory options, trim, interior materials, safety ratings, engine and transmission specs, standard features, fuel economy, MSRP, and much more exactly as it was built.
Here’s what you will get with a paint color by VIN lookup:
Interior and Exterior Color
See the car’s true factory colors exactly as it left the assembly line. This includes the official exterior paint name and the matching interior color or upholstery material.
Standard Equipment
See everything that came as standard from the manufacturer. This includes performance, safety, and design features included in every model of the trim level.
Optional Packages
Find all the added features or appearance packages that were installed at the factory. From tech bundles to premium trims, you’ll see exactly what was added and how it affected the price.
MSRP and Total Costs
View the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price along with the total cost after all factory options and destination charges. It helps you understand the vehicle’s original value when new.
Mechanical Features
Find detailed information about what powers the vehicle, including the engine size, fuel type, horsepower, torque, and transmission type
Exterior Features
Review the factory exterior equipment that gives a vehicle its look and function, such as lighting, wheel design, body accents, and mirror types.
Interior Features
Learn about the cabin features the vehicle came with, including seat materials, infotainment options, climate control systems, and comfort upgrades.
Safety and Crash Ratings
Check the safety features and official NHTSA crash test ratings available at the time of production. It’s a useful way to see how the vehicle performed in safety evaluations.
Fuel Economy and Warranty Information
Review the official EPA fuel ratings and the manufacturer’s original warranty coverage, including powertrain and corrosion protection.
Why Use a Paint Code Lookup Tool?
Knowing your car’s true factory color might seem like a small detail, but it can make a real difference. When you understand exactly what shade your car was painted in, you can handle repairs, touch-ups, and restorations precisely.
Some reasons why you need to verify a vehicle’s paint color are:
Aid Car Buying and Selling
When buying a used car, sometimes the seller says, “It’s all original paint.” With a lookup tool, you can check the original factory color from the VIN and compare it to what’s actually on the car.
Match Paint Exactly for Repairs
Even a slight difference in color shade can make repairs and touch-ups look unprofessional. The tool gives you the exact OEM colors and not a “close match.”
Save Time and Money
Body shops charge more if they have to “eyeball” a match. If you provide the exact color code, it saves time and materials.
Easily Spot Repainted vehicles
If a vehicle has mismatched colors or different paint codes on different panels, that’s a strong hint of past body repairs or repainting.
Paint Color Code Formats For Different Car Makes
Can you recognize a paint code if you’ve found it? Just like the locations differ for many manufacturers, the paint code format also differs greatly. Here are formats for some popular car brands:
Car Makes and Paint Code Formats
| Car Make | Paint Code Format |
|---|---|
| Acura, Mitsubishi | NH-XXXX |
| Audi, Volkswagen | Two to four digits with numbers and/or letters |
| BMW | Three numbers |
| Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Hummer | Starts with WA, BC/CC, or U, may be prefaced by a three-digit number and letter combination |
| Chrysler, Dodge | Starts with P, Q, G, or T, three digits with letters and numbers. May be prefaced by PNT. |
| Ford, Hyundai, Kia | Two digits with numbers and/or letters |
| Honda | NHXXXX or YRXXXXX |
| Infiniti | Three digits with numbers and/or letters, may include a fourth digit after a space |
| Isuzu | Three digits with numbers |
| Jeep | Starts with P, Q, G, or T, three digits with letters and numbers. Older models may have two digits. May be prefaced by PNT. |
| Lexus, Toyota | Three digits with numbers and/or letters, usually prefaced by CTR |
| Lincoln | Two digits with numbers and/or letters |
| Mazda | Two or three digits with numbers and/or letters |
| Mercedes Benz | DB-XXX |
| Mini, Nissan, Subaru, Suzuki | Three digits with numbers and/or letters |
What Type of Vehicles Are Covered?
Our paint color lookup tool works for all vehicle types, including, but not limited to, the following:
Sedans
SUVs
Trucks
Coupes
EVs
Convertibles
Hatchbacks
Vans
Trucks
RVs & Trailers
Get Your Car’s Original Color and Build Details Instantly
If you’re planning a touch-up or a repaint or just want to know a car’s exact factory color and specs, a window sticker lookup by VIN gives you everything in one place. You’ll see the vehicle’s true color, features, and equipment details, straight from official factory records.
FAQs About Paint Code by VIN Lookup
How do I check if my paint code matches?
To check if your paint code matches, you need to compare the paint code on your car’s information label (usually found on the driver’s door jamb or under the hood) with the color details shown on your window sticker lookup. The paint name should match the factory record.
Can I find my paint code by VIN?
You cannot directly find the paint code by VIN. The VIN itself does not include the paint code, but you can use it to access the original color through a window sticker lookup. This will show the exact exterior and interior color names linked to your VIN.
How to find a paint code by VIN?
To find a paint code by VIN, start by locating your 17-digit VIN on your dashboard, door jamb, or registration papers. Then use a window sticker lookup tool to view your vehicle’s original color information. For the actual paint code, you just need to check the paint label on your vehicle to find it.
Can you find paint code by VIN for free?
Free VIN searches usually won’t include paint codes. They might show the color name, but full factory color data generally comes from paid lookups or dealer systems.
Can a dealership find the paint code?
Yes, dealerships have the most reliable data. They can use your vehicle specifications to get the paint code and confirm your exact factory color and finish type.