How to find your car’s colour code

Before ordering custom-mixed paint, it all comes down to one thing: correctly identifying the car’s original colour code.

The colour code is the only information that guarantees the paint you order will match the manufacturer’s. Neither the colour’s trade name nor a simple description such as ‘metallic grey’ is sufficient: you should never order a colour simply ‘by name’, as two colours with the same commercial name – such as ‘Nardo Grey’, for example – may in fact correspond to different formulations depending on the year of production or the manufacturer. This guide follows the workshop method to show where to find the plate for different makes, how to read the reference correctly and what to do if it is illegible. To understand the code formats used by different manufacturers, see the page dedicated to colour code types.

Tech’Team tip

The one that changes everything: The art of decoding two-tone colours

Vehicles with a roof and body in different colours (two-tone) present a real challenge when searching for the colour code. The coding system varies completely from one manufacturer to another and can easily lead to mistakes during preparation of the paint. For some manufacturers, the identification label does not specify either the body colour code or the roof colour code, but rather a specific code that denotes the combination of the two.

The essentials in a nutshell. A car’s colour code is shown on a manufacturer’s plate or label (under the bonnet, in a door pillar or in the boot near the spare wheel). This reference (numbers and/or letters) identifies the exact factory colour. It is this reference, and not the name of the colour, that enables us to order the correct paint to match the shade. At Carross, this is the only information we use to formulate and guarantee the correct paint.

1. The equipment required

• Custom-mixed paint

2. The repair, step by step

1. Look for the label. Look for the label. Open the driver’s or passenger’s door (centre pillar) and the bonnet (engine compartment), then check the bottom of the boot or the service booklet: the label will be in one of these places, depending on the make.
2. Identify the paint code. Please note that the label very rarely mentions the word ‘colour’ or ‘shade’. The code is often hidden amongst other information.
3. Make a note of the code. Write down the numbers and letters exactly; if in doubt, take a photograph of the plate in bright light rather than copying it by heart.
4. Check that it is legible. Clean any dirty plates; never guess at an unclear character, as a single error will render the entire code invalid.
5. Switch to the VIN if necessary. If the plate is missing or completely illegible: contact your dealer with your vehicle identification number (VIN). They will provide you with the exact factory code in a matter of seconds.

3. Common mistakes to avoid

• Ordering ‘by colour name’ without a code: a make may have several shades with the same name
• Confusing the colour code with the VIN, the engine code or an option reference on the same plate
• Copying a questionable character from a faded plate instead of photographing it or having it verified
• Ignoring colour fading and painting a visible repair without a test cardboard
• Looking in the fuel filler flap – you’ll usually only find tyre pressure information there

4. How to choose your products

Ifthe plate is legible, note down the code directly – this is the most reliable source

Ifthe plate is missing or worn away, call a dealer for that make with your chassis number (VIN) to obtain the certified code

If there is no plate and no usable VIN, try checking the registration details; this will need to be confirmed by the relevant department

Ifthe paintwork is old or there is a visible colour mismatch, you must always checkthe colour using a test cardboard before painting

Carross colour matching: always check the code on the plate or via the dealer before ordering; never rely on what you think is the colour name

5. FAQ

Where can I find my car’s colour code?

On a plate or label affixed by the manufacturer. The location depends on the make: start by checking the door pillars, the engine compartment under the bonnet, the bottom of the boot (near the spare wheel) or even the first page of your original service booklet.

How do you find your car’s colour code if the plate is illegible?

If the plate has worn away, is missing, or the vehicle has been repainted, you can trace the colour back via the VIN (the 17-character chassis number, visible on the vehicle registration document or at the bottom of the windscreen). For greater simplicity and to be certain of the correct colour code, provide this number to a dealership of the relevant make: they are the only ones with access to the factory database.

Can you find your car’s colour code on the registration document?

No, the exact paint code is never listed directly on the vehicle registration document. You may sometimes find a very generic description (such as ‘Grey’ or ‘Black’), but this is not at all sufficient to specify a paint colour. However, your vehicle registration document is essential as it contains your chassis number (the VIN, found on line E). It is this 17-character number which, once provided to your dealership, allows them to retrieve your car’s unique paint code from the system.

How can you find out your car’s colour code before ordering the paint?

You note down the code from the plate (taking care to avoid the pitfall of abbreviated codes, such as those used by Ford), check that it is not the VIN, and then enter it on our website. If the code cannot be found or if you are in any doubt, call your dealer. It is this level of precision that guarantees an accurate colour match.

Updated: 30/09/2026

Explore the World of Preparation / Paint / Finishing and our bodywork guides and tutorials. Any technical queries? The Carross Tech’Team: +33 (0)1 60 27 20 19.