Ford F-150 Paint Code Chart by Year (2004-2026): Identification Guide
Quick answer: Your Ford F-150’s paint code is the two-character code next to “EXT PNT” on the driver-side door jamb label. Codes change by model year and some are reused, so always match the code to your truck’s year. Your VIN and original window sticker or build sheet are backup sources.
For Ford F-150 owners, knowing your truck’s exact paint code is essential for everything from touch-ups to full body repairs. This guide covers F-150 paint codes from 2004 through 2026: where to find your code, what it means, and how to verify it before you order paint. For every Ford model and year, see our main Ford paint code list and color chart (1964–2026).
Data Scope and Accuracy
This chart lists common factory exterior colors for 2004–2026 F-150s. Codes were checked against Ford order guides and paint supplier listings where available. The year ranges are approximate because Ford adds and drops colors every model year. Always confirm your code on the door jamb label or with a Ford dealer using your VIN. Last reviewed: October 2026.
To use the chart, find your code on the door jamb label, then check that the year range and color name match your truck. Read the Notes column for code reuse and multi-stage paints.
Ford F-150 Paint Code Identification Chart (2004–2026)
| Code | Approx. years | Color name | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| YZ | 2004–2026 | Oxford White | Common solid white across generations. |
| G1 | about 2013–2020 (verify) | Shadow Black | Metallic black. Earlier trucks used Tuxedo Black (UH), a different code. |
| UM | 2021–2026 | Agate Black Metallic | Black metallic on the 2021+ F-150. |
| J7 | 2015–2020 | Magnetic Metallic | Dark gray metallic. Dropped for 2021, when Carbonized Gray (M7) was added. |
| M7 | 2021–2026 (verify) | Carbonized Gray Metallic | New for the 2021 model year. |
| JX | about 2018–2021 (verify) | Lead Foot | Non-metallic gray, often seen on the Raptor. |
| D4 | 2019–2026 (verify) | Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat | Tinted clearcoat paint. Needs the correct multi-stage process for repairs. |
| UG | 2011–2018 | White Platinum Metallic Tri-Coat | Premium tri-coat white, not the same as Oxford White. |
| AZ | about 2018–2026 (verify) | Star White Metallic Tri-Coat | Tri-coat white that followed White Platinum. |
| E4 | about 2004–2014 (verify) | Vermillion Red | Solid red, common on work trucks and fleet trucks. |
| HN | 2021+ (verify) | Guard Metallic | Green-gray metallic. |
| HX | 2021–2026 (verify) | Antimatter Blue Metallic | Deep blue metallic, new for 2021. |
| CN | 2021+ (verify) | Code Orange | Bright orange, mostly seen on the Raptor. |
| H5 | about 2015–2018 (verify) | Caribou Metallic | Brown metallic, often seen on two-tone King Ranch trucks. |
| AQ | verify by year | Arizona Beige Metallic | Used as a lower two-tone accent color on some King Ranch trucks. |
Year ranges are approximate. Ford adds and drops colors every model year, so check your door jamb label or ask a dealer to confirm with your VIN.
Evolution of Ford F-150 Paint Codes: Year-by-Year Differences
The F-150’s colors have changed a lot over the years. Ford’s paint codes have kept the same two-character format, but the colors behind them change from year to year. Some codes, like YZ for Oxford White, have lasted for decades. Others are dropped, and new ones are added most model years.
Older 11th-generation (2004–2008) and 12th-generation (2009–2014) trucks came in more earthy tones, plus traditional reds and blues. Paint suppliers also list codes such as FU and DL on older F-150s, but those names vary by source, so check them against your year. The 13th generation (2015–2020) brought more metallic finishes, such as Magnetic (J7). The 14th generation (2021+) added colors such as Antimatter Blue (HX), Carbonized Gray (M7) and Agate Black (UM).
Ford sometimes reuses a paint code for a different color in a different period, so always check the code against your model year. Ford also uses more multi-stage paints, such as Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat (D4) and Star White Metallic Tri-Coat (AZ). These need the correct base, mid and clear coats for an accurate repair. Each year’s color list is in our 2024 F-150 color chart and 2025 F-150 color chart.
Special Edition Colors and Configuration-Specific Paint Options
Trims, packages and configurations affect which colors are available. Premium trims like King Ranch, Platinum and Limited often get exclusive colors or two-tone schemes. For example, a King Ranch F-150 may have a main body color with an Arizona Beige Metallic (AQ) lower accent, which needs two separate paint codes.
Two-tone trucks may show more than one paint code on the door jamb label. Note every code before you order paint.
Performance models, especially the Raptor, often get signature colors such as Code Orange (CN) and Lead Foot (JX). This guide covers factory paint only, not aftermarket paint jobs. Export-market colors may also not appear on North American charts.
Aftermarket vs. factory paint: This guide covers original factory paint codes only. If your F-150 has been repainted, even in an original Ford color, the current finish may not match the factory spec. Ask a paint specialist about repainted trucks.
Decoding Ford F-150 Paint Codes: Understanding the System
The two-character code identifies the color. The color name often hints at the finish: Oxford White (YZ) is a solid color, Magnetic Metallic (J7) has metallic flake, and Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat (D4) uses a tinted clear layer.
Most modern F-150s use a base coat/clear coat system. The paint code refers to the base color layer. A clear coat goes on top for gloss and UV protection.
Tri-coat or multi-stage paints, such as White Platinum (UG) and Star White (AZ), add a mid-coat between the base and clear coats. Repairing them means matching each layer.
Even with the right code, an exact match can be hard. Sun fading and small variations between production batches mean a body shop often has to tint the paint to blend it with the existing panels.
Verifying Your F-150 Paint Code: Essential Checks
Check more than one source to avoid ordering the wrong paint:
- Check the door jamb label. Open the driver’s door and find the label on the door jamb. The two-character code next to “EXT PNT” is your paint code. See our F-150 paint code location guide for photos by generation.
- Use your VIN. A Ford dealer’s parts department can look up the original paint code from your VIN.
- Check original documents. The window sticker or build sheet lists the exterior color.
- Check the owner’s manual. It shows where the vehicle certification label is located.
Common misreads: Don’t confuse I with 1, O with 0, or B with 8. If the label is faded, confirm the code with a dealer.
Frequently Asked Questions About F-150 Paint Codes
Where is the paint code located on a Ford F-150?
It is on the driver-side door jamb label, next to “EXT PNT”. It is usually a two-character code. Confirm it on the label before ordering paint.
Can a VIN decoder tell me my F-150’s paint code?
Often, yes. A Ford dealer’s parts department can look up the original paint code from your VIN. Some online VIN decoders show the color name but not always the code.
Are F-150 paint codes year-specific?
Yes. Some codes, like YZ (Oxford White), span many years, but Ford adds and drops colors every model year and sometimes reuses codes. Always check the code against your model year.
Can two different Ford F-150 colors have the same paint code?
It can happen across different periods, which is why you should match the code to your truck’s model year, not just the color name.
What does a tri-coat paint code mean for my F-150?
A tri-coat paint, such as Star White Metallic Tri-Coat (AZ) or White Platinum (UG), has a base coat, a translucent mid-coat and a clear coat. Repairs take more steps and careful color matching.
Why is my F-150’s paint code not matching online charts?
The chart may be out of date or miss a special-edition, trim-specific or regional color. Trust the code on your door jamb label or a dealer VIN lookup over any online chart.
How do I get an exact color match if my F-150’s paint has faded?
Have a paint shop scan the panel with a spectrophotometer and tint the paint to match. Then blend it into the panels next to the repair.
Summary
Your F-150’s paint code is on the driver-side door jamb label. Codes change by model year and some are reused, so match the code to your year and confirm it with your VIN or a Ford dealer before you buy paint.
Ford Model Paint Charts
- Ford F-150 Paint Code Location
- 2022 Ford F-150 Color Chart
- 2024 Ford F-150 Color Chart
- 2025 Ford F-150 Color Chart
- Ford F-150 Space White Metallic
- 2023 Ford Escape Color Chart
- 2025 Ford Color Chart
- Full paint code guide: Ford Paint Code List and Color Chart (1964–2026)
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