Headlight Bulb Size Guide: How to Find the Right Bulb
Headlight bulb numbers are confusing. H11, 9005, 9006, H7, H13. What do they even mean? Here's the cheat sheet so you can figure out exactly what you need in about five minutes.
The Most Common Headlight Bulb Types
There are a lot of bulb sizes out there, but most cars on the road use one of these eight. If you're trying to figure out what your car takes, chances are it's on this list.
H11 (also H8, H9)
The most popular low beam bulb in modern vehicles. Single beam with an L-shaped base. Used in tons of cars from 2010 and newer. Honda, Toyota, Chevy, and Ford all use this one heavily.
9005 (HB3)
The standard high beam bulb. Also used in some daytime running lights. Same connector family as the 9006 but NOT interchangeable. The tabs are different.
9006 (HB4)
Common low beam bulb, especially in slightly older vehicles from the 2000s and 2010s. Has an angled base design. You'll see this one in a lot of Toyotas and GMs from that era.
H7
Popular in European vehicles. VW, BMW, Audi, and Hyundai use this one a lot. Single beam with a flat base. Some cars need an adapter clip to hold it in place.
H13 (9008)
Dual beam bulb that handles both high and low beam in one unit. Common in the Jeep Wrangler, older Ford F-150s, and Dodge Ram trucks.
H4 (9003 / HB2)
Another dual beam bulb. You'll find this one in older vehicles and some trucks. Has a three-prong connector that's easy to spot.
H1
Compact single beam bulb. Used in some high beam and fog light applications. Less common than the others on this list but still worth knowing about.
9012 (HIR2)
A newer single beam type that's gaining popularity. Puts out more light than a 9006. You'll see this in some newer Toyota and Lexus models.
Single Beam vs Dual Beam
This is an important distinction that trips people up. Single beam bulbs handle one job. Your car uses one bulb for the low beam and a completely separate bulb for the high beam. H11, 9005, 9006, and H7 are all single beam.
Dual beam bulbs do both. One bulb switches between low and high beam using two filaments (or two LED chips in an LED version). H13 and H4 are dual beam.
You need to know which setup your car has before you buy anything. If your car uses single beam bulbs, you can't just swap in a dual beam. The connectors are completely different. Check your owner's manual or look at your current bulbs if you're not sure.
How to Find Your Exact Bulb Size
There are a few easy ways to figure out exactly which bulb your car needs. You really only need one of these to work.
Check your owner's manual
There's usually a bulb chart in the maintenance section. It'll list every bulb in your vehicle by position and size. This is the most reliable source.
Look at the old bulb
The bulb size is usually printed right on the base. Pull out the old one and check. If it says H11 or 9006 on it, that's your answer.
Use an online fitment tool
Enter your year, make, and model into any bulb finder tool. Most auto parts sites have one. They'll show you exactly which bulb you need for each position.
Ask at any auto parts store
Every parts counter has a bulb lookup system. Just tell them your vehicle and they'll pull it up in seconds.
Use our vehicle finder
Our vehicle finder tool can help you find the right headlight parts for your exact car. Just enter your year, make, and model.
Bulb Size Cross-Reference
One of the most confusing things about headlight bulbs is that the same bulb can have multiple names. Different manufacturers and regions use different naming standards. Here are the common equivalents.
| Bulb Size | Also Known As |
|---|---|
| H11 | H8, H9 (same base, different wattages) |
| 9005 | HB3 |
| 9006 | HB4 |
| H4 | 9003, HB2 |
| H13 | 9008 |
One thing to keep in mind: "equivalent" doesn't always mean identical. The base and connector are the same, but wattage and beam pattern can differ slightly between variants. H11, H8, and H9 all fit the same socket, but they're rated at different power levels.
Halogen vs LED vs HID
Once you know your bulb size, you still need to pick a technology. Here's how they compare.
Halogen
- Stock on most cars
- Cheapest option ($10 to $30)
- Warm, yellowish light
- 500 to 1,000 hour lifespan
- Easy to find anywhere
LED
- Brighter, whiter light
- 30,000+ hour lifespan
- $20 to $80 for drop-in bulbs
- Some need a canbus adapter
- Instant on, no warm-up
HID / Xenon
- Very bright, bluish-white
- Needs a ballast to run
- $40 to $150 for a kit
- Best in projector housings
- Takes a few seconds to warm up
Here's the important thing to remember: your bulb SIZE stays the same regardless of which technology you pick. An H11 LED replaces an H11 halogen. A 9006 HID replaces a 9006 halogen. The base and connector don't change. Only the light source inside is different.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
These are the mistakes people make over and over. Save yourself the hassle.
Touching halogen bulbs with bare fingers
The oil from your skin creates hot spots on the glass. This can cause the bulb to fail early or even crack. Always use gloves or a clean cloth when handling halogen bulbs.
Assuming 9005 and 9006 are interchangeable
They look really similar. But the tabs and connectors are different. One is high beam, the other is low beam. Forcing the wrong one in can damage your socket.
Putting HID bulbs in reflector housings
HID bulbs are extremely bright. In a reflector housing, the light scatters everywhere and blinds oncoming drivers. If you want to run HIDs, you need projector housings to control the beam.
Buying the wrong single/dual beam type
If your car uses a dual beam H13, you can't swap in a single beam H11. They're completely different setups. Make sure you know whether your car uses single or dual beam before you order.
Forgetting to check both low and high beam sizes
If you're ordering new bulbs, don't just look up the low beam. Your high beam is usually a different size. Check both so you're not making two trips to the store.
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