Enter your registration on the homepage. We pull the factory paint code from the manufacturer's database. If we can't reach the servers in time, you can request a manual lookup and we'll email the code within 12 hours.
It's usually on a sticker — most commonly in the driver's door jamb, under the bonnet, in the glovebox, or in the boot/trunk. The label often shows make/model alongside a 3–5 character code (e.g. LY9C, 775U). Location varies by manufacturer.
A few possibilities: the manufacturer's database doesn't have data for your specific vehicle (some makes have better coverage than others), the servers were too slow to respond, or your reg returned an unusual result. In those cases, drop us your email and we'll look it up manually.
Automated lookup currently supports the following manufacturers:
Audi
BMW
Citroën
Cupra
Dacia
DS
Ford
Hyundai
Infiniti
Jaguar
Jeep
Kia
Land Rover
Lexus
Mazda
Mercedes-Benz
MINI
Peugeot
Renault
Saab
SEAT
Škoda
Toyota
Vauxhall
Volkswagen
Volvo
If your make isn't listed, manual lookup may still work — send us a message and we'll do our best to track it down.
The codes come straight from manufacturer databases, so they're as accurate as the source.
That said, paint codes describe the original factory colour. If your car has been resprayed, the code may not match the current paint. Vinyl wraps (an adhesive film applied over the factory paint) don't change the underlying colour — once removed, the original paint code still applies.
Yes, briefly. We log each search (registration, time, IP) for usage analytics and abuse prevention. If you submit your email for a manual lookup, we store it to send you the result. We don't sell or share your data with third parties.
Manual lookups involve querying manufacturer databases directly, sometimes by VIN. We aim to respond much faster than 12 hours, but the buffer accounts for overnight requests and busy periods.
Yes — coloureg is free. But running it isn't: there's the cloud server, the database, the domains, the email service, per-lookup charges from third-party data providers... Right now this is a hobby project and the costs are manageable, but as traffic grows charges may become necessary. Nothing will change without warning.