Ford Paint Color Codes

Ford has run one of the automotive industry's longest-running color programs, spanning trucks, cars, and SUVs across more than a century of production. That long history means a huge number of distinct color codes exist across Ford's lineup — far more than any single reference page could responsibly list without risking inaccuracy.

Below you will find the Ford factory colors we have on record, organised by model and model year, with the OEM paint code for each, plus guidance on finding the exact code on your vehicle, which remains the only fully reliable source for any specific repair or paint order.

Find your Ford model

Most widely used Ford factory colors

These colors appear across the most models. Codes in the last column are the main factory code; alternates for the same color are listed on each model page.

Swatches are approximate screen colors picked from the color name. The paint code is the real identifier.

Ford's Color History

Ford's paint program has evolved alongside more than a century of vehicle production, from the earliest mass-market color choices through today's extensive palette spanning trucks, cars, SUVs, and performance models. Certain naming conventions, like pairing evocative names (Oxford White, Race Red) with alphanumeric codes, have remained consistent across decades even as specific formulations have been updated with improving paint technology.

Performance and heritage trims in particular have often introduced distinctive, sometimes short-lived colors that later become sought-after by enthusiasts and collectors, adding a layer of historical interest beyond simple color matching for many Ford owners.

Today, digital VIN decoding has made historical paint code ambiguity far less of a practical problem than it was in the pre-internet era, when matching an older or rarer Ford color relied heavily on printed reference books and dealer institutional knowledge.

Where to Find Your Ford Paint Code

On most Ford vehicles, the paint code is listed on a certification label affixed to the driver's-side door jamb (not the door itself, but the body frame the door closes against). This label typically also lists the VIN, tire pressure specifications, and other build data, with the paint code often labeled simply "COLOR" or with a similar abbreviation nearby.

If that label is missing, damaged, or illegible, the paint code can be recovered by decoding the VIN through a Ford dealer's parts department or a paint supplier that offers VIN lookup as part of ordering touch-up or repair paint.

Some older Ford models placed this information slightly differently, so if you have a vintage or classic Ford, check both the door jamb and any factory build sheet or Marti Report (a documented build history available for many classic Fords) as an additional cross-reference for your original color.

How Ford's Color Program Has Changed

Like most manufacturers, Ford periodically retires older colors and introduces new ones with each model refresh, meaning a code used on one model year isn't guaranteed to appear on the next, even for what looks like the same color. Ford has also historically reused some codes across different vehicle lines with genuinely different formulations, which is part of why confirming your specific model and year matters, not just the code itself.

Certain Ford colors, like Oxford White, have remained in the lineup for many years with relative consistency, while others are tied to specific limited editions or performance trims and were only ever offered for a short production window.

One more practical note: if your vehicle has ever had prior body work, don't assume the existing paint on every panel is necessarily the original factory code — a previous repair may have used a close but not identical match. If you're planning a larger project, it's worth checking a panel you're confident is original (often the roof or an inner door jamb, areas less likely to have been repainted) against the code before assuming the whole vehicle is consistent.

Model-Specific Notes

Color availability varies significantly across Ford's lineup — a color offered on the F-150 truck line isn't necessarily available on the Mustang or Explorer, and vice versa. Performance trims like Mustang GT or Raptor variants have historically had access to a more distinctive, sometimes exclusive color selection compared to base trims of the same model.

Ordering Touch-Up Paint or a Repair for Your Ford

When ordering touch-up paint, primer, or requesting a repair quote, provide your full paint code (not just the color name) along with your VIN if possible — this lets your supplier or shop cross-reference the exact formulation rather than guessing from a color name that might apply to multiple distinct Ford shades.

For anything beyond a very small touch-up, it's worth asking your shop to do a physical test spray-out on a hidden area or test card and compare it in daylight against your actual panel before committing to a larger repair, since even a correct code can look slightly different against paint that's aged or faded over the years.

If you're ordering for a DIY touch-up rather than a professional repair, keep in mind that spray cans and touch-up pens are formulated for small areas and won't achieve the same blend quality as a professionally sprayed and cleared repair — fine for small chips, less ideal for larger panel work.

Ford-specific paint suppliers and most auto parts retailers can mix touch-up paint to your exact code once confirmed. For rare or discontinued colors, specialty suppliers who focus on classic or specific-model Ford paint matching may be worth seeking out over a general parts store.

Common Mistakes When Matching Ford Paint

The most common mistake is assuming a color name ("black," "red," "silver") is specific enough to order paint — Ford, like most manufacturers, runs multiple distinct formulations under similar-sounding names. A second common mistake is using a code from the wrong model year; always confirm the code against your specific vehicle's own label or VIN rather than a general color chart found online.

It's also worth remembering that even a perfectly correct code produces a freshly-mixed paint that may look slightly different from years-old, sun-faded factory paint on the rest of the vehicle — an experienced painter will typically blend the edges of a repair into adjacent panels specifically to smooth over that natural aging gap, rather than relying on the code alone to guarantee an invisible repair.

Frequently Asked Questions

Other makes

Color names, codes and model-year ranges come from public reference listings (chiefly ChipFixx) and may contain gaps or errors. Always verify against your vehicle's label or VIN before ordering paint. Spot a mistake? Let us know.