RAL Paint System Explained General decorating topics, questions and answers. find help, tips and advice on completing your decorating projects

[KEVINCONBOY]

When ordering paint how exactly does the RAL coding system work, and is there other systems used when identifying paint?

[DaveyTed]

RAL is simply a wide range of colours identified by a code so you can order and duplicate the exact match in other makes of paint.
BS4800 is a UK based widely used alternative although there are more obscure others. Many manufacturers, however will match each others colours by name.