Manufacturer vehicle certification label sticker located inside the driver door jamb

Toyota Paint Code Location Guide: Find Your Exact Color in Minutes

ByArsenio Espinoza

You’ve found the perfect touch-up paint online, but now you’re staring at your Toyota wondering—where on earth is that paint code hiding?

The good news is Toyota makes this surprisingly easy. They’ve been putting the paint code in the same spot for decades, so once you know where to look, you’ll find it in under a minute. Let’s get you that code so you can fix those chips and scratches.

TL;DR

Your Toyota’s paint code is a 3-digit alphanumeric code (like 202, 1F7, or 3P1) located on the driver’s side door jamb sticker . Look for the label marked “C/TR”—the three characters right after that are your paint code . If you can’t find it, your Toyota dealer can look it up using your VIN .

Key Takeaways

  • Primary location: Driver’s side door jamb sticker—consistent across most Toyota models and years
  • Look for “C/TR”: This stands for Color/Trim. Your 3-digit paint code comes right after it
  • Example: If the label says “C/TR 3P1 FA09”, your paint code is 3P1
  • What it looks like: Toyota codes are 3 characters, usually a mix of numbers and letters (e.g., 040, 1D4, 218)
  • VIN can help: Dealers can pull your paint code using your VIN if the sticker is missing

Step-by-Step: Finding Your Toyota Paint Code

Toyota has kept this consistent for decades. Here’s exactly what to do:

Step 1: Open the Driver’s Side Door

Walk around to the driver’s side and open the door fully. You’ll see the door frame and the pillar (the metal post between the front and rear doors).

Step 2: Look for the Sticker

Check the door jamb—the area where the door latches shut. You’re looking for a small rectangular sticker, usually white, silver, or black, packed with technical information .

Where exactly:

  • Often on the B-pillar (the pillar between the front and rear doors)
  • Sometimes on the door edge itself or near the latch
  • Occasionally on the lower section of the door frame

Step 3: Find “C/TR” on the Label

Look for the letters “C/TR” on the sticker. This stands for Color/Trim .

![Illustration of a Toyota door jamb sticker highlighting the C/TR code]

Step 4: Read Your Paint Code

Your paint code is the first three characters immediately following “C/TR” .

Example: If your sticker says “C/TR 1D4 / FH13” — your paint code is 1D4 . The characters after the slash (FH13) are interior trim codes, not paint .

Example codes: 202, 1F7, 3P1, 218, 1D4, 040

Where Else to Look (If It’s Not on the Door)

Toyota has been placing the paint code on the driver’s door jamb for decades—even 1991 and 1992 models used this spot . But if your sticker is missing or unreadable:

  • Under the Hood: Sometimes on a sticker near the radiator support or firewall
  • Inside the Trunk: Occasionally near the spare tire well
  • Glove Box: Less common, but worth a peek
  • Contact a Dealer: Give them your VIN and they can look it up

What Toyota Paint Codes Look Like

Code FormatExampleMeaning
3-digit (numbers & letters)1F7, 3P1, 1D4Standard Toyota paint code format
3-digit (all numbers)202, 040, 218Common on older models
C/TR PrefixC/TR 3P1 FA09Shows paint code immediately after C/TR

Quick Reference Table

ModelTypical Paint Code Location
Most Toyota models (all years)Driver’s side door jamb on the B-pillar
2005-2016 RAV4Driver’s door jamb, look for C/TR
TacomaDriver’s door jamb, often under the barcode
Any ToyotaC/TR designation on the VIN sticker

Pro Tips

  • Don’t confuse it with VIN: The paint code is separate from your VIN, though sometimes printed near it
  • Color names vary: Toyota may use different color names for the same code across different models—always trust the code, not the name
  • Older models: 1991-1993 models also used the driver’s door jamb label
  • Pearl or Metallic: If your color is listed as Pearl (P) or Metallic (M), your paint has a clearcoat finish

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Toyota paint code?

It’s a 3-digit alphanumeric code that precisely identifies your vehicle’s factory paint color, essential for ordering matching touch-up paint .

Where is the Toyota paint code located?

On the driver’s side door jamb on the VIN/certification sticker, marked with “C/TR” .

What does “C/TR” mean on my Toyota sticker?

It stands for Color/Trim. The paint code is the first three characters after “C/TR” .

Can I find my Toyota paint code using the VIN?

Yes—dealerships can look up the original paint code using your VIN if the sticker is missing .

What if my door jamb sticker is missing?

Contact a Toyota dealer with your VIN, or check under the hood or trunk for secondary stickers .

References

For further reading:

Found your Toyota’s paint code? Share your experience or ask questions in the comments—we’d love to hear how your touch-up project goes!