Automotive blade fuses are color-coded according to the international standard DIN 72581. Thanks to this, even if the amperage text wears off, you can identify the fuse value by its color.
The color coding system was introduced to facilitate fuse identification in situations where text markings are illegible or worn. Each color corresponds to a specific amperage value, allowing for quick verification without having to read fine print. The DIN 72581 standard is widely used by car manufacturers worldwide, meaning the colors are universal regardless of the vehicle brand.
It's worth remembering that fuses come in three main sizes: Mini, Standard (Regular), and Maxi. Mini and Standard use the same color palette, while Maxi have their own coding system because they handle much higher currents. Below you'll find detailed color tables for each type.
Color Table - Mini and Standard Fuses
Mini and Standard (Regular) fuses use the same color palette according to the DIN 72581 standard. Both types differ only in physical size - Mini fuses are smaller (approximately 10.9 mm wide) and dominate in modern cars from the 90s onwards, while Standard fuses (approximately 19.1 mm) are mainly found in older models. The colors are universal, so regardless of size, the same color always represents the same amperage.
The color coding system is extremely practical - even when the amperage text wears off or becomes illegible, you can immediately identify the fuse value by the color of its housing. This is especially useful in emergency situations when you need to quickly find the right spare fuse. Here's the complete list of colors with visual examples:
⭐ Red 10A is the most common fuse in cars
Color Table - Maxi Fuses
Maxi fuses handle higher currents (30A-100A) and are significantly larger than Mini/Standard. They cannot be confused - Maxi fuses are physically larger and won't fit into Mini/Standard sockets:
Note: Some colors in Maxi represent the same values as in Mini/Standard (e.g., green 30A, orange 40A), but other colors have different values. For example, red in Maxi is 50A, while in Mini/Standard it's 10A. Blue in Maxi is 60A, while in Mini/Standard it's 15A.
Why is this important?
Inserting a fuse with a higher amperage than required can cause serious problems:
- The fuse won't blow in time - in case of a short circuit, it won't blow, which can lead to melted wires
- Fire risk - overheated wires can catch fire
- Device damage - instead of the fuse, a more expensive component will burn (radio, ECU, motor)