Paint Formula Translator & Decoder
Ever wondered what the cryptic letters and numbers on your paint can label mean? Decode colorant codes (B, C, F, KX), understand 48ths vs 96ths shot increments, and learn how bases work.
Computerized Tint Machine Sticker Breakdown
The Universal Paint Pigment Rosetta Stone
Every paint manufacturer (Behr, Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, Valspar, PPG) uses standard letter codes on their dispenser carousel.
Depth, desaturation & shadow values. Knock down neon chroma.
Warm earthy ochre. Foundation for creams, tans, and warm greens.
Intense cyan-green. Used in deep forest greens and botanical teals.
High-chroma ultramarine blue. Essential for navies and coastal blues.
Warm terracotta rust. Gives greiges and blush tones their organic undertone.
Muted warm chocolate. Prevents grays from looking clinical or cold.
High-opacity white. Controls opacity, hiding power, and lightness.
Cool greenish-brown earth. The secret weapon for soft modern neutrals.
Vibrant clean cherry. Used for berry accents and warm coral washes.
High-energy violet. Neutralizes yellow flare in crisp modern whites.
Why Base Selection Can Make or Break Your Color Dupe
Pre-loaded with heavy white titanium dioxide pigment. If you try to mix a dark navy or charcoal in Base 1, it will turn into a chalky baby blue because the white pigment overpowers the tint.
Has half the titanium dioxide of Base 1, allowing up to 6 ounces of tint colorant without overflowing the can volume or ruining the binder matrix.
Contains zero white pigment. It looks translucent gray in the can before tinting. It can absorb up to 12-14 ounces of raw pigment to yield saturated, velvet-dark colors.