Ford F-150 Paint Code Location by Year: Full Guide 2026
The paint code on your Ford F-150 is on the driver’s side door jamb, on the door latch post pillar known as the B-pillar. Open the driver’s door and look for a rectangular sticker labeled with the abbreviation EXT PNT.
The exact spot and the sticker’s format have changed across F-150 generations, so if you don’t see it where you expect, check the breakdown below for your truck’s model year.
Paint Code Location on 2015 to 2026 F-150 Aluminum Body Trucks
On every 2015 and newer F-150, including the aluminum-body trucks, the paint code sticker sits on the B-pillar, the vertical post the driver’s door latches against. Open the door fully and look at the pillar itself, not the door edge. You’ll find a rectangular label with the VIN, tire pressure specs, and a row of build codes. Scan that label for EXT PNT. The code next to it is a two-character combination, such as J7 or G1, and it’s the same code Ford uses on the window sticker and build sheet.
This placement holds across trim levels, including Tremor and Raptor. Ford’s own vehicle specifications guidance confirms the certification label sits on the driver’s side door jamb, at the door latch post pillar, regardless of trim.
Paint Code Location on 2004 to 2014 F-150 Steel Body Trucks
The B-pillar location carries over to the 2004 to 2014 generation, but the sticker itself carries more information than the current design. Owners on f150forum.com who mapped the label field by field found it lists WB (wheelbase), INT TR (interior trim), TP/PS (tape or pinstripe), R (radio), AXLE, TR (transmission), and SPR (spring), with EXT PNT appearing above the bold divider line near the top. The paint code is still a short alphanumeric string, but on this generation you’ll often see it paired with a related tape or pinstripe code directly below it in the TP/PS field.
Paint Code Location on 1993 to 2003 F-150 Trucks
These trucks keep the same general driver’s door jamb placement, but the sticker sits closer to the door latch itself rather than higher on the B-pillar the way newer trucks do. Ford Truck Enthusiasts forum members restoring trucks from this era note the label is directly below where a metal build tag would sit on older Fords, and it uses the same EXT PNT abbreviation for the color field. If your truck has had aftermarket door work done, this is the sticker most likely to have been painted over or removed, since it sits low and close to the hinge and latch hardware technicians work around.
Paint Code Location on Pre 1993 F-100 and F-150 Trucks
[UNVERIFIED — needs manual check: exact placement varied by model year and assembly plant on classic F-100 and F-150 trucks; suggested source is Marti Auto Works, the Ford-licensed reproduction label vendor for this era, or a Ford Truck Enthusiasts thread specific to your build year]
What’s consistently reported: classic-era trucks used a stamped metal tag rather than an adhesive sticker, mounted on the driver’s door, sometimes with a separate Federal Safety Compliance decal on the B-pillar itself. If your truck’s tag is missing, damaged, or was never installed correctly by a previous owner, Marti Auto Works reproduces exact replicas of these tags using the same stamping equipment and fonts Ford used at the time, based on your VIN and build data.
How to Read the F-150 Door Sticker Field by Field
Most guides stop at “look for EXT PNT,” but the sticker on 2004 to 2014 trucks carries seven distinct fields, and it helps to know what you’re looking at so you don’t misread the axle or transmission code as part of the paint code.
| Field Label | What It Means | Example Format |
|---|---|---|
| EXT PNT | Exterior paint code | Two characters, e.g. J7 |
| WB | Wheelbase | Three-digit number, e.g. 145 |
| INT TR | Interior trim color and material | Letter code |
| TP/PS | Tape or pinstripe color | Letter or number, may be blank |
| R | Radio equipment code | Single letter |
| AXLE | Rear axle ratio and limited-slip status | Two-digit code |
| TR | Transmission type | Single letter |
| SPR | Spring package | Letter or number |
If you’re trying to confirm your axle ratio from this same sticker while you’re in there, our interior trim code chart covers the INT TR field in full, and it sits on the same label as the paint code, so you can cross-reference both at once.
What to Do When the F-150 Paint Code Sticker Is Missing or Faded
A missing, faded, or accidentally painted-over sticker is a common problem, especially on trucks that have had door work, a repaint, or a door replacement from a salvage yard. Work through these options in order.
- Check for a VIN-based window sticker copy first. This won’t give you the axle or transmission codes, but most VIN lookup tools will confirm your factory paint color and code from production records. You can decode your F-150’s VIN to pull basic build data before going further.
- Ask your Ford dealer for a replacement label. Per Ford’s official guidance, dealers can order a replacement compliance label, but only for vehicles up to five model years old.
- Request a Technical Data Sheet for older trucks. For vehicles outside that five-year window, Ford’s Customer Relationship Center can provide a Technical Data Sheet with your build information. Call 1-800-392-3673 and have your VIN ready.
- Contact a Ford-licensed label reproduction vendor. Ford confirms only two companies are licensed to produce replacement compliance labels: Marti Auto Works and ECS Automotive Concepts. Both can reproduce your original sticker, including the paint code, from your VIN and truck details.
If a replaced door came without the original sticker at all, a salvage yard door swap is the most common cause. Cross-check the VIN on any replacement door’s tag against your truck’s actual VIN before trusting the codes on it, since a mismatched door will give you the wrong paint code entirely.
Ford F-150 Paint Code vs Color Name Why They Are Different
The paint code and the color name are not the same thing, and mixing them up is the most common mistake when ordering touch-up paint or parts. The code, such as J7 or G1, is what a paint supplier or body shop actually needs to mix the exact factory color. The color name, like Magnetic or Shadow Black, is just Ford’s marketing label for that code.
This distinction matters because Ford shares paint codes across the Ford and Lincoln lineup. Code J7 corresponds to Magnetic on an F-150, and G1 corresponds to Shadow Black. The formula is identical across models as long as the code matches, so if you only have the color name, you need the code before you order anything.
What to Do With Your F-150 Paint Code Once You Find It
Once you’ve located the code on your sticker, the next step is decoding exactly which color and finish it corresponds to for your model year. Our full Ford paint code list and color chart covers every known F-150 code across model years, so you can confirm the color name, check whether it’s a metallic or tricoat finish, and order touch-up paint or matched parts with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions About the F-150 Paint Code Location
Is the paint code in a different spot on the F-150 Raptor or Tremor?
No. Ford’s official specifications guidance places the compliance label, and the paint code on it, at the driver’s side door jamb on the door latch post pillar across all F-150 trims, including Raptor and Tremor.
Does the paint code change based on cab style, like SuperCrew versus Regular Cab?
No. The paint code reflects the truck’s exterior color and finish, not its cab configuration. A SuperCrew and a Regular Cab F-150 built in the same paint color will carry the identical code.
Can a Ford dealer look up my paint code from just the VIN?
Yes. A dealer can pull your build data from the VIN, which includes the factory paint code, even without seeing the physical sticker. This is useful if your sticker is faded or missing and you don’t want to wait on a replacement label.
Is the paint code the same on both doors?
The compliance sticker with the paint code is only applied to the driver’s side door jamb. The passenger side does not carry a duplicate label.
Which door sticker field is the axle code, and where do I find a decoder for it?
On 2004 to 2014 trucks, the axle code sits in the field labeled AXLE, listed as a two-digit number on the same sticker as the paint code. Our Ford axle code chart breaks down what each code corresponds to in terms of gear ratio and limited-slip status.
