Pick your make first
Paint code labels are not placed consistently across brands. Your make usually narrows the search faster than checking random areas.
Paint code locations by make
Find where to check for your vehicle paint code.
Choose your vehicle make to find the most likely factory paint code label locations, then verify the code before buying touch-up paint, spray paint, or painted parts.
This page is a location directory. For step-by-step label reading, use the full paint code guide.
Start with your make
Toyota
C/TR label
Honda
Door jamb label
Ford
EXT PNT
Chevrolet
WA / service label
GMC
WA / service label
Dodge
Door / under hood
Not sure where to start?
Check the driver-side door jamb first, then use the make directory below for manufacturer-specific clues.
Use common locations second
If the make guide does not solve it, check the door jambs, glove box, trunk, spare tire area, and under-hood labels.
Confirm before ordering
A location guide helps you find the label. It does not guarantee a final match if the vehicle is faded, repainted, or repaired.
Browse by make
Popular vehicle paint code location guides
Start with your vehicle make. These cards point you toward the label habits and code clues most commonly associated with each manufacturer.
Toyota
Often check the driver-side door jamb for a C/TR label.
Honda
Often check the driver-side door jamb or door edge for the color code label.
Ford
Often check the driver-side door jamb for EXT PNT or exterior paint information.
Chevrolet
Often check the glove box, trunk, spare tire area, or service parts label depending on year.
GMC
Often similar to Chevrolet, with labels commonly found in glove box, trunk, or door areas.
Dodge
Often check the driver-side door jamb, radiator support, or under-hood label areas.
Jeep
Often check the driver-side door jamb, firewall, or under-hood label areas.
BMW
Often check under the hood, strut tower area, or door jamb depending on model and year.
Mercedes-Benz
Often check under the hood, radiator support, door jamb, or manufacturer data plate.
Volkswagen
Often check the trunk, spare tire area, service label, or vehicle data sticker.
Audi
Often check the trunk, spare tire area, service label, or vehicle data sticker.
Nissan
Often check the driver-side door jamb, firewall, or under-hood label areas.
Hyundai
Often check the driver-side door jamb or manufacturer certification label.
Kia
Often check the driver-side door jamb or vehicle certification label.
Mazda
Often check the driver-side door jamb, firewall, or under-hood label areas.
Subaru
Often check the driver-side door jamb or under-hood manufacturer label.
Tesla
Check the vehicle label and confirm with Tesla or a qualified repair source before ordering paint.
Lexus
Often similar to Toyota, with C/TR information commonly found on the driver-side door jamb.
More makes are being added
If your make is not listed yet, use the universal checklist below and verify the code with a dealer, manufacturer, paint supplier, or body shop before ordering paint.
Manufacturer patterns
Different makes use different label habits
This is the main reason a make-based directory helps. Some brands usually point you toward the door jamb, while others commonly use trunk stickers, service labels, or under-hood data plates.
Toyota and Lexus
Often use a C/TR label where the first part usually points to the exterior paint code and the second part relates to trim.
Ford and Lincoln
Often use an exterior paint field such as EXT PNT on the driver-side certification label.
GM, Chevrolet, and GMC
May use WA codes, service parts labels, glove box labels, trunk labels, or spare tire area labels depending on year and model.
Volkswagen and Audi
Often use a vehicle data sticker or service label, commonly found in the trunk, spare tire area, or owner/service documentation.
BMW and Mercedes-Benz
May use manufacturer data plates or labels around under-hood areas, door jambs, radiator support areas, or strut towers.
Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, Mazda, and Subaru
Often use door jamb, certification, under-hood, or firewall-area labels, depending on model and year.
Universal fallback
If your make guide does not solve it, check these areas
Some labels are small, faded, hidden behind trim, or mixed with unrelated manufacturing data. Work through these areas before guessing from a color name or photo.
Read the Step-by-Step Guide✓
Driver-side door jamb
The best first check on many vehicles. Look on the door edge, pillar, latch area, or lower jamb.
✓
Passenger-side door jamb
Some vehicles place the paint or certification label on the passenger-side pillar, latch area, or door edge.
✓
Glove box
Check the inside walls, back panel, and glove box door for small manufacturer or service labels.
✓
Trunk or spare tire area
Look under the trunk floor, near the spare tire, on rear side trim, or inside the cargo area.
✓
Under the hood
Check the radiator support, firewall, strut towers, hood underside, and inner fender areas.
✓
Rear hatch or cargo area
SUVs, hatchbacks, wagons, and vans may place paint information near rear storage panels.
Before you buy paint
A location guide helps you find the code, not guarantee the finish.
Once you find the label, still verify the code and account for faded paint, repainting, two-tone finishes, specialty coatings, and prior body repairs.
Read the exact field
Do not assume the longest number or most visible code is the paint code. Look for paint-related wording.
Check for multiple codes
Two-tone vehicles, accents, wheels, and trim pieces may have separate colors or references.
Use VIN as backup
If the label is missing or unreadable, use your VIN when speaking with a dealer, supplier, or body shop.
Test before applying
Even with the right code, age, fading, and application method can affect the visible result.
FAQ
FAQs about vehicle paint code locations
These questions focus on where paint code labels are usually found and how to use make-specific location clues correctly.
Are paint code locations the same for every vehicle?
No. Paint code locations vary by manufacturer, model, model year, body style, region, and trim. Start with your make-specific guide, then check common fallback locations such as the door jamb, glove box, trunk, spare tire area, and under-hood labels.
What is the most common place to find a paint code?
The driver-side door jamb is the best first place to check on many vehicles. Open the driver door and inspect the pillar, latch area, lower jamb, and door edge for a factory sticker or certification label.
What if my vehicle make is not listed yet?
Use the common location checklist on this page. Check the driver-side door jamb, passenger-side door jamb, glove box, trunk, spare tire area, radiator support, firewall, hood underside, and strut towers. If you still cannot find it, contact a dealer, paint supplier, or body shop with your VIN.
What words should I look for on the label?
Look for labels or abbreviations such as PNT, PAINT, COLOR, COLOUR, EXT, EXT PNT, C/TR, BC/CC, WA, BODY COLOR, EXTERIOR, or manufacturer-specific paint markers near a short letter-number sequence.
Can a vehicle have more than one paint code?
Yes. Two-tone vehicles, accent colors, wheel colors, trim pieces, and specialty finishes may involve more than one code. Confirm which code applies to the exact panel or part you plan to repair.
Can the VIN tell me where the paint code is located?
The VIN may help a dealer, supplier, or body shop verify vehicle build details, but it usually does not tell the average driver exactly where the physical paint code label is. The factory label is still the best first source.
What if the vehicle has been repainted?
If the vehicle has been repainted, the factory paint code may not match the current finish. In that case, a body shop or paint supplier may need to color-match a painted part instead of relying only on the original factory code.
Should I test paint even if I found the right code?
Yes. Test paint before applying it broadly. Age, fading, sun exposure, previous repairs, finish type, and application method can affect the final appearance even when the factory code is correct.
Next step
Found the label but not sure which code is paint?
Use the step-by-step guide to understand paint code abbreviations, example formats, and verification steps before buying paint.
Paint code accuracy disclaimer
VehiclePaintCodes.com provides general paint code location guidance and reference information only. Paint code locations, labels, color names, and formulas can vary by manufacturer, model year, trim, region, prior repairs, fading, repainting, and two-tone or specialty finishes. Always verify your paint code with the vehicle’s factory label, manufacturer, dealer, paint supplier, or qualified body shop before ordering or applying paint.
We are not responsible for mismatched paint, repair costs, application errors, property damage, vehicle damage, or other losses resulting from use of the information on this site.