Find Your Ford's Color Code

A color code is the unique ID for your car's specific paint. Color codes are the only way to guarantee a perfect match - names are unreliable.

Where to find your Ford Color Code

Ford color codes can be found on a Color ID Tag, which is typically a small, rectangular sticker or metal plate packed with technical vehicle data. It often features a silver, black, or white background with dense alphanumeric text and barcodes.

In addition to the Color Code, the Color ID Tag contains a lot of other information - like the VIN, wheelbase, and interior trim. See the diagram below to determine which of these codes corresponds to your exterior paint.

What a Ford color code ID tag looks like

Identifying your Color Code

Ford paint color codes are on the drivers door jamb, on the color plate. The typical format is PM/M6599, though usually only PM appears. Example: PM corresponds to Bright Calypso Metallic Clearcoat PM/M6599; it may appear as PM Bright Calypso Metallic Clearcoat. Plates may show Exterior Paint Colors or EX PT; sometimes the color is embossed mid-plate. WB is wheelbase; above Wheel Base is EXT PNT, and to the right of EXT PNT is the code. Many mistake LX3 as the code.

Where to Look for your Ford's Color Code

Driver's Side Door or Door Jamb

The most common location. The code may be on the pillar itself, the door edge, or near the latch.

Frequently Asked Questions About Color Codes

Where is the paint code on my Ford?

Most paint codes are found on the driver’s door jamb. Other common locations include under the hood, inside the trunk near the spare tire, or less commonly the glove box. You can use our make and year-specific diagrams to confirm the exact location for your vehicle.

Can I use my Ford's VIN to find the paint color code?

No. The VIN does not contain your paint color code. It only helps identify formula variations after the correct color code is known. You must locate the paint code on the vehicle itself for accurate matching.

What does a Ford paint code look like?

Paint codes are short combinations of letters and numbers, typically 2–6 characters long. Formats vary by manufacturer, but the code will always be clearly labeled on the vehicle’s identification plate or sticker.

Are Ford paint codes in the same place on every vehicle?

No. Some manufacturers use consistent locations, while others vary by model and year. Always check the diagrams for your exact vehicle year and make.

Why are some Ford paint codes harder to find than others?

Some manufacturers place paint codes in hidden or unusual locations, such as under trunk carpeting or among many other numbers. This is common with brands like Audi, Porsche, and Mercedes.

How do I find interior Ford paint color codes?

Interior colors are not factory-coded on vehicles. To identify an interior color, you’ll need to match it using physical color chips or a body shop reference book. Once identified, we can make the paint for you.

What if I still can’t find my Ford paint code?

Double-check all locations shown in the diagrams, including less obvious areas. On classic or rare vehicles, you may need to contact the manufacturer directly. If you’re still unsure, contact us and we’ll help guide you.

More About Ford Color Codes

Ford makes it fairly easy to find the color code. It is always on the drivers door jamb. Ford Touch Up Paint Code Pre 1970 Fords can be problematic though. Ford was calling different paint colors the exact same name so a Ocean Blue in 1966 was completely different from an Ocean Blue in 1967. Different color code too. The typical color code format is: PM/M6599 In our example plate above, the code is PM which corresponds to our: Bright Calypso Metallic Clearcoat PM/M6599. However, you will rarely ever see the M6599 part. You will typically just see PM. The color plate above shows Exterior Paint Colors but often the color plate will show EX PT (for Exterior Paint, but I bet you knew this already??) and then above or below this, you will see the color code. To make matters just a tad confusing, sometimes the actual color is embossed on the plate right in the middle and not where one would expect it. We get lots of emails from customers thinking their color code is LX3 which would make sense given the location! PM Bright Calypso Metallic Clearcoat. Two Tone Combination Ford has many two tone combinations for some cars. Two tones are two different colors on your car. Ford did not do a great job with two tone color coding and often the secondary color information is just missing so this makes it impossible to know without borrowing a color book from us what colors you actually have. Same Color Code, Different Name Ford, like all manufacturers, uses the exact same color across many models and then will have a different color name for each model. It's the same paint! This is why the color code is so important to order the correct paint. For example, PM/M6599 above we call Bright Calypso Metallic Clearcoat It could also be called Bright Green Clearcoat, Speed Green Clearcoat, etc. depending on what the marketing department decided to call it. Code WB If you see WB on the plate, this is the wheelbase measurement on Ford vehicles. You are looking in the right place though, just above Wheel Base is 'EXT PNT'. Look to the right of EXT PNT to find your code, which you can order on our site.

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