Honda Civic Paint Code Reference

Honda paint codes are stamped on a label inside the driver’s door jamb on every U.S.-market Civic. The label lists the paint code as a two-character alphanumeric string (e.g., B92P, NH731P, R81). Knowing your exact code is required for touch-up paint, respray matching, and ordering color-matched accessories. This reference covers all factory exterior paint codes for the U.S.-market Honda Civic from the 7th generation (2001–2005) through the 11th generation (2022–2025), organized by generation and color family.

How to Find Your Paint Code

Open the driver’s door and look at the door jamb — the vertical surface where the door latches. There is a white or silver sticker with vehicle information including VIN, tire pressure, and paint code. The paint code is labeled “EXT. COLOR” or “COLOR” and is a two-to-four character code. On two-tone vehicles, two codes are listed separated by a slash. The first code is the primary body color; the second is the roof or accent color.

Honda paint code suffixes indicate finish type: P = pearl, M = metallic, A = solid (no suffix or A). A pearl finish requires a three-stage application (base coat, pearl mid-coat, clear coat) for a correct match. A metallic finish requires a two-stage application. A solid color is a single-stage application. Using the wrong application method for touch-up paint produces a visible mismatch even if the base color is correct.

7th Generation (2001–2005)

8th Generation (2006–2011)

9th Generation (2012–2015)

10th Generation (2016–2021)

11th Generation (2022–2025)

Colors That Carried Across Multiple Generations

Several Honda paint codes appear across three or more Civic generations, which matters for touch-up matching and panel replacement sourcing. Crystal Black Pearl (NH731P) is the most consistent color in Civic history, appearing on every generation from the 7th through the 11th. It is a three-stage pearl finish and one of the most difficult colors to match correctly — the pearl mid-coat must be applied AT the correct angle and thickness or the repaired panel will show a color shift under direct light. Alabaster Silver Metallic (NH700M) ran from the 7th through the 9th gen before being replaced by Lunar Silver Metallic (NH830M) on the 10th gen. These two silvers are not interchangeable — NH700M has a warmer, slightly gold-tinted flake while NH830M reads as a cooler, brighter silver. Magnetic Gray Metallic (G537M) ran from the 8th through the 10th gen. Rallye Red has appeared in some form on every Civic generation, though the code changed: R81 (Milano Red, 7th–9th gen) and R394 (Rallye Red, 10th–11th gen) are visually similar but not the same formulation. Using R81 touch-up paint on a 10th gen R394 car produces a visible mismatch.

Two-Tone and Special Edition Paint Codes

Honda introduced two-tone paint options on the 10th gen Civic starting with the 2017 model year. Two-tone vehicles have two paint codes on the door jamb label separated by a slash. The primary code is the body color; the secondary code is the roof color, which is always Crystal Black Pearl (NH731P) on all factory two-tone Civics. Two-tone was available on Sport and Sport Touring hatchback trims. On the 11th gen, two-tone continued on Sport and Sport Touring hatchback trims with the same NH731P black roof pairing. The roof on a two-tone Civic is painted separately from the body and uses a different clear coat application — touch-up on the roof requires matching the NH731P pearl formulation, not the body color.

The 10th gen FK8 Type R used Championship White (NH883P) as its signature color, along with Sonic Gray Pearl (NH877P) and Crystal Black Pearl (NH731P). The 11th gen FL5 Type R added Boost Blue Pearl (B637P) as a Type R-exclusive color not available on any other 11th gen Civic trim. Blazing Orange Pearl (Y79P) was added to the Sport Touring hatchback starting with the 2023 model year and is not a Type R color.

Touch-Up Paint Application by Finish Type

Solid colors (no suffix, e.g., R81, R394, NH578): single-stage application. Base coat and clear coat only. The easiest finish type to match and apply. Metallic colors (M suffix, e.g., NH700M, NH830M, G537M): two-stage application. Base coat with metallic flake, then clear coat. The metallic flake orientation is affected by spray angle and distance — inconsistent technique produces a blotchy appearance. Pearl colors (P suffix, e.g., NH731P, NH788P, B92P): three-stage application. Base coat, pearl mid-coat, clear coat. The pearl mid-coat is the most critical layer — it must be applied in thin, even passes at a consistent distance. Pearl colors are the most difficult to match for spot repairs and the most likely to show a color shift between the repaired area and the surrounding panel under different lighting conditions. For any pearl color repair larger than a small chip, a full panel respray produces a better result than spot touch-up.