The Complete Guide to Audi Badges
Few car emblems are as instantly recognisable as the four rings. But once you start looking closely, you realise "Audi badges" covers a whole family of emblems: the rings on the grille and tailgate, the Quattro script on the lower grille, the RS and S model markers, and the smaller fender and side badges that signal exactly which car you're looking at. Refreshing or restyling them is one of the most effective ways to sharpen the look of an Audi without touching anything mechanical.
This pillar guide walks through every type of Audi badge, what each one means, the finishes available, and how fitment works. Where it makes sense, we link out to our more detailed guides so you can go deeper on a specific model or topic. A quick note before we start: our badges are premium aftermarket accessories, precision-engineered to manufacturer specifications, and are not manufactured by or affiliated with Audi.
Understanding the main types of Audi badges
Audi's badging follows a logical pattern once you know what each piece does. Most cars carry several of these at once, and you can replace them individually or as a coordinated set.
Audi is our biggest range, with 50+ badges covering the line-up, including emblems for seven RS models. You can browse the full collection in our [Audi category](/categories/audi).
- Four rings (front grille): the headline emblem, mounted on the grille or front panel.
- Tailgate rings: the rear four rings on the boot lid or tailgate.
- Quattro grille emblem: the script badge that sits on the lower grille of Quattro-equipped cars.
- Model badges (RS, S, S line): the markers that identify the performance or trim level.
- Fender and side badges: smaller emblems on the wings or doors, often denoting engine or trim.
RS vs S vs S line: what the model badges mean
This is the question we're asked most, and it's worth getting right before you order. The three are not interchangeable, and the badge you fit should match the car it's on.
RS denotes the full-fat performance models built by Audi Sport (think RS3, RS4, RS5, RS6). S sits below RS as the warmed-up performance tier (S3, S4, S5). S line is a trim and styling package available across many standard models, not a separate engine, so its badging is more subtle and appears on cars that aren't S or RS.
If you're weighing up which marker suits your car, our [dedicated RS vs S line comparison](/guides/audi-s-line-vs-rs-badges) breaks down the differences in full. For RS3 owners specifically, we have a [model-focused RS3 guide](/guides/audi-rs3-badges-guide) covering the right badges by generation. You can also browse our [Audi RS range](/categories/audi-rs) and [Audi S range](/categories/audi-s) directly.
- RS: top-tier Audi Sport performance models.
- S: performance models a step below RS.
- S line: a styling and trim package on standard cars.
Quattro emblem, fender badges and tailgate rings
Beyond the model markers, several emblems define the Audi look. The Quattro grille emblem is one of the most popular upgrades because it sits front and centre on the lower grille and is easy to refresh when the original has faded or yellowed. Our [Audi Quattro grill emblem](/products/audi-quattro-grill-emblem) is a precise replacement for the original.
At the rear, the tailgate rings are often the first thing to show their age, since they catch road grime and UV. Swapping them for a fresh set of [Audi tailgate rings](/products/audi-tailgate-rings) in a finish that matches the front transforms the back of the car. Fender and side badges complete the picture and let you coordinate the whole vehicle in a single colour scheme.
All of our badges are injection-moulded from automotive-grade ABS with a UV-resistant finish, so a replacement set is built to hold its colour rather than fade like a tired original.
Finishes: choosing the right look
This is where a set of Audi badges becomes genuinely your own. We offer 33 colour finishes across four tiers, so you can keep things factory-subtle or go bold.
Gloss Black is our standard finish and the most popular choice for a clean, modern OEM+ look. If you want something with more depth, the Mirror and Galaxy tiers open up chrome-like and metallic-effect options. For the full breakdown of how each tier looks in the metal, see our [finish guide](/guides/badge-finish-guide-gloss-mirror-galaxy).
- Mirror: 15 colours, a reflective chrome-style finish.
- Gloss: 9 solid colours; Gloss Black is the standard finish.
- Highlights: 2 effect finishes.
- Galaxy: 7 metallic-effect colours (small surcharge).
Fitment, materials and chassis codes
Fitment is straightforward. Our badges come with 3M VHB tape pre-applied, so installation is a clean peel-and-stick job with no drilling. The key to a lasting result is surface prep and patience, which we cover step by step in our [fitting guide](/guides/how-to-fit-custom-car-badges).
Getting the right badge for your car usually comes down to the generation. The RS3, for example, spans the 8P (2006-2012), 8V (2012-2019) and 8Y (2020-present) chassis, while the S3 shares those same 8P, 8V and 8Y codes. On the RS side, the RS4 runs B7, B8 and B9; the RS5 covers B8 and F5; and the RS6 spans C7 and C8. Knowing your chassis code helps you match the correct emblem first time, and for the RS3 our [RS3 badge set](/products/audi-rs3-badges) is grouped by generation.
On dispatch: UK orders placed before 2pm GMT (Mon-Fri) are dispatched the same day via Royal Mail, with UK delivery typically 1-3 working days. We ship worldwide, with international delivery usually 5-14 working days. Shipping is calculated at checkout.
In short
Audi badges span the four rings, Quattro emblem, RS/S/S line markers and tailgate rings, and with 33 finishes and pre-applied 3M VHB tape you can refresh or restyle the whole car cleanly at home.
Frequently asked questions
Are these genuine Audi badges?
No. They are premium aftermarket accessories, precision-engineered to manufacturer specifications and made from automotive-grade ABS. They are not manufactured by or affiliated with Audi. Many owners describe the result as OEM+, meaning a clean factory-style look with finishes the original never offered.
What's the difference between RS, S and S line badges?
RS denotes the top-tier Audi Sport performance models, S sits a step below as a performance tier, and S line is a styling and trim package on standard cars rather than a separate engine. Fit the marker that matches your car. Our RS vs S line guide covers the distinction in detail.
How are the badges fitted?
Each badge comes with 3M VHB tape pre-applied, so it's a peel-and-stick installation with no drilling required. Good surface cleaning and prep are the key to a lasting bond; our fitting guide walks through the full process.
Which finish should I choose?
There are 33 finishes across four tiers. Gloss Black is the standard choice for a subtle factory look, while the Mirror and Galaxy tiers offer chrome-style and metallic-effect options. The Galaxy tier carries a small surcharge.
How quickly will my order arrive?
UK orders placed before 2pm GMT on weekdays are dispatched the same day via Royal Mail, with UK delivery usually 1-3 working days. We ship worldwide, with international delivery typically 5-14 working days. Shipping is calculated at checkout.