Ford Atlas Blue Paint Code: B3/M7440 Guide and Models

The Ford Atlas Blue paint code is B3, with the manufacturer reference number M7440. Ford introduced the color for the 2020 model year on the Edge and Explorer, and it has since spread across more than a dozen Ford nameplates. Because Atlas Blue is a pearl metallic finish, ordering by memory or by screen color is risky.

This guide breaks down every reference number tied to B3/M7440, shows exactly where to confirm it on your own truck or SUV, lists which models and years carried it, and explains how it differs from two other Ford blues that get mistaken for it. Start with the door jamb sticker. It is the only source that settles the question for your specific vehicle.

Ford Atlas Blue Paint Code Location on the Door Jamb

Ford lists Atlas Blue under several reference numbers, and knowing all of them prevents ordering the wrong paint by accident.

• B3 is the short paint code Ford prints on the door jamb label.
• M7440 (also seen as M7440A) is the longer manufacturer formulation number tied to B3.
• LCSEWHA shows up as an auxiliary code on some parts lookups and cross-reference tools.
• PMPC-19500-7440A is the official Motorcraft touch-up paint part number for this color, confirmed on Ford’s own Motorcraft lacquer touch-up paint reference chart.

To find your code, open the driver’s side door and look at the white or silver Safety Compliance Certification Label on the door jamb or door edge. Find the field marked EXT PNT. That two-character code, B3, is your confirmation.

Atlas Blue is a pearl metallic finish, which means it carries reflective flakes and requires a clear coat over the base color. If the sticker is faded, damaged, or missing, cross-check your VIN through a dealer parts lookup rather than guessing from color.

Why Atlas Blue and Artisan Blue Share the Same Paint Code

If your Mustang’s window sticker says Artisan Blue but your F-150’s says Atlas Blue, you are not imagining things. Ford uses the same B3/M7440 formulation under two different marketing names depending on the model line. Trucks and SUVs, including the F-150, Super Duty, Explorer, Edge, Escape, Bronco, and Maverick, carry the name Atlas Blue. The Mustang carries the identical paint under the name Artisan Blue.

If your door jamb sticker shows B3 or M7440, the paint underneath is the same regardless of which name appears on your window sticker or order guide. When shopping for touch-up paint, search both names, since some retailers list the product under only one.

Ford Models and Years That Offered Atlas Blue Paint

Atlas Blue has appeared across more than a dozen Ford and Lincoln nameplates since its 2020 launch on the Edge and Explorer. Coverage expanded through 2022 and 2023 as more models adopted it, and the formulation has been tracked in circulation through the 2025 model year. F-150 owners can see how Atlas Blue sits alongside the truck’s other factory colors in the 2022 Ford F-150 color chart. Exact availability by model and trim can shift year to year, so always confirm against your own door jamb sticker before ordering paint.

Atlas Blue’s most recent shift came with the 2026 model year. Ford dropped Atlas Blue Metallic from both the F-150 and Super Duty lineups for 2026, replacing it with a new color called Argon Blue Metallic (paint code E9).

If you want Atlas Blue specifically on an F-150 or Super Duty, a 2025-model-year truck from existing dealer inventory is your only option going forward. The Explorer and Escape carried Atlas Blue Metallic into the 2026 model year, though Escape production is winding down entirely after 2026.

The Ford Edge stopped production in April 2024, so no Edge model year past 2023 was ever offered in Atlas Blue.

Atlas Blue is easy to confuse with two other factory blues, so here is how to tell them apart before you order paint.

How to Tell Atlas Blue Apart From Antimatter and Grabber Blue

Atlas Blue, Antimatter Blue, and Grabber Blue all read as camera-ready blues in photos, but they are three distinct factory codes with different undertones.

• Atlas Blue (B3/M7440) is a bright, vibrant pearl metallic blue. In direct sun it reads as a clean sapphire blue, and in shade it leans toward a moody navy, but it never reads as black.
• Antimatter Blue (HX/M7459) is dramatically darker. In low light or shade it can look nearly black, which is the fastest visual tell between the two colors. FordMasterX covers the full identification and touch-up process in the Ford Antimatter Blue paint code guide.
• Grabber Blue (AE/M7454A) is a far more saturated, high-contrast performance blue historically tied to Mustang and enthusiast trims. It does not have the pearl shift that Atlas Blue shows between light and shade.

Visual comparison is a useful first check, but it is not reliable enough to order paint from. The door jamb code is the only confirmation that removes guesswork.

Once you have confirmed your code, here is how to buy the right amount of paint for your repair.

Ordering Atlas Blue Touch Up Paint for Chips and Panel Repairs

The right Atlas Blue product depends on the size of the damage, not just the color match.

• Paint pen or 2-in-1 pen, best for tiny stone chips and pinpoint scratches. The genuine Motorcraft option is listed on Amazon as Motorcraft Touch-Up Paint PMPC195007440A Atlas Blue, Ford’s own OEM formulation matched directly to the B3/M7440 code.
• Brush bottle, best for chips or scratches up to roughly the size of a quarter. Aftermarket kits such as the XTryfun B3 Atlas Blue Touch Up Paint Kit include both base color and clear coat for this repair size.
• Aerosol spray, best for door dings, larger panel areas, or full bumper touch-ups. Spray formats are sold in matched B3/M7440 formulations by aftermarket paint suppliers and typically run in a similar price range to the pen and bottle kits, generally in the $20 to $40 range depending on kit size and included clear coat.
• Professional spray gun sizes, best for a full panel respray, typically sourced from specialty auto paint suppliers rather than general retailers.

Because Atlas Blue is a pearl metallic, apply thin coats rather than one heavy coat. Heavy application causes the metallic flakes to cluster, which creates a mottled, cloudy patch instead of a smooth finish. Clean and dry the repair area first, shake the paint for a full minute to redistribute the settled flakes, and test the color on the included card before applying it to the truck.

A few quick answers before you order.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ford Atlas Blue the same as Artisan Blue?

Yes. Atlas Blue and Artisan Blue are the same B3/M7440 formulation. Ford uses the name Atlas Blue on trucks and SUVs and Artisan Blue on the Mustang.

What is the Motorcraft part number for Atlas Blue touch up paint?

The confirmed Motorcraft part number is PMPC-19500-7440A. This number appears on Ford’s official Motorcraft lacquer touch-up paint reference chart and on genuine OEM listings.

Does Atlas Blue require a clear coat?

Yes. Atlas Blue is a pearl metallic finish, and the metallic flakes need a clear coat over them to protect the color and restore proper gloss and depth.

How do I find my Ford’s paint code if the door jamb sticker is gone?

Cross-reference your VIN through a dealer parts lookup rather than guessing by eye. The full VIN decoding method, including where else Ford stamps vehicle identification data, is covered in the Ford VIN number decoding chart.

Is Atlas Blue still available on new Ford models?

It depends on the model. Ford dropped Atlas Blue from the F-150 and Super Duty for 2026, replacing it with a new color called Argon Blue Metallic. The Explorer and Escape still offered Atlas Blue for 2026. The Edge no longer applies, since Ford ended Edge production in April 2024.

Confirm Your Atlas Blue Code Before You Order Paint

Atlas Blue is code B3, manufacturer reference M7440, and the door jamb Safety Compliance Label is the only source that confirms it for your specific truck or SUV. The same formulation carries the name Artisan Blue on Mustang, so do not let the naming difference cause a second guess.

Watch for the two most common mix-ups, Antimatter Blue’s near-black shade and Grabber Blue’s higher saturation, before you order by eye. For the full color reference across every Ford paint code, see the Ford Paint Code Chart. Confirm your code first, match the product format to your repair size, and the result will hold up next to the factory finish.