What kind of headlight bulb does my car take?

There isn’t a single bulb type for all cars. The exact bulb depends on your vehicle’s make, model, year, and whether it uses halogen, HID, or LED headlights. To know for sure, consult your owner’s manual, inspect the bulb currently in place for its markings, or use your car’s VIN to look up the exact part in a parts database.

Know your system: halogen, HID, or LED

Understanding which headlight system your car uses helps narrow down the replacement options, since halogen, HID (xenon), and LED headlights use different bulb bases, fittings, and, in some cases, separate ballast or modules.

Use these practical checks to identify the exact bulb type for your car.

• Check the owner's manual or the vehicle’s service/maintenance guide for the recommended bulb type for each headlamp (low beam, high beam, or fog light).


• Look at the current bulb. Many bulbs have the base code printed on the metal or plastic part of the bulb (for example, H11, 9005, H4, D2S, etc.).


• Inspect the headlight housing or a label in the driver's door jamb, hood, or near the fuse box that lists bulb sizes for the headlights.


• If the old bulb isn’t legible, use the car’s VIN in an online parts lookup or contact a dealer to confirm the exact bulb number for your trim and market.


• When in doubt, bring the old bulb to an auto parts store or consult the manufacturer’s official parts website to verify a correct match.

Armed with the correct bulb type, you’ll be able to replace it accurately. Note that HID systems involve a ballast and may require professional handling, and LED headlights often come as integrated assemblies or specialized plug-and-play bulbs.

Common headlight bulb types you may encounter

Below is a quick guide to the most common bulb families you’re likely to encounter, along with their typical roles in the headlamp system.

• Halogen bulbs:
  
  
  
  • H4 (dual filament): used in many older and some European vehicles for combined low/high beam.
  
  
  • H7 (single filament): common for low-beam on many modern European cars.
  
  
  • H11: widely used for low-beam in contemporary vehicles.
  
  
  • 9005 (HB3): often used for high-beam applications.
  
  
  • 9006 (HB4): used in some models for low-beam or separate beam applications.
  
  
  • H1, H3, H13: used in various fog lights or specialty setups.
  
  
  
  


• HID (xenon) bulbs:
  
  
  
  • D2S, D3S, D4S: common factory HID bulbs that require a ballast and proper housing.
  
  
  
  


• LED bulbs:
  
  
  
  • LED replacements exist for many models, but base types and fitment vary widely by vehicle and housing. Some cars use LED modules built into the headlight assembly rather than replaceable bulbs.
  
  
  
  

When replacing, avoid mixing technologies in the same pair (e.g., halogen on one side and HID/LED on the other) and ensure you match wattage, amperage, and, where applicable, ballast and connector compatibility.

Safety, installation, and maintenance tips

Proper handling and compatibility help ensure safety and performance. Follow these guidelines when replacing headlights.

• Always work with the headlights off and the engine cooled. Halogen bulbs get extremely hot; LEDs generate less heat but still require the proper housing.


• Avoid touching the glass of halogen bulbs with bare skin; oils can shorten bulb life. Use gloves or a clean cloth when handling.


• Install bulbs firmly and seat connectors securely to prevent moisture ingress or vibration damage.


• If your vehicle has Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) that share the headlight circuit, verify any required resets or coding after replacement.


• For HID systems, ensure the ballast and igniter are correctly matched to the bulb and that the entire system is compatible with your vehicle.

Summary

The exact headlight bulb your car takes is specific to your make, model, and headlight type (halogen, HID, or LED). Start by consulting the owner’s manual, checking the current bulb for markings, or using your VIN to look up the exact part. Common halogen sizes include H4, H7, H11, 9005, and 9006; HID bulbs like D2S/D3S/D4S require a ballast; LED replacements vary by manufacturer and often come as dedicated modules. With the correct bulb type identified, replacement is straightforward—just follow proper safety and handling guidelines and consider replacing in matched pairs for consistent illumination.

How do I tell which light bulb I need?

To find the right light bulb, first check the old bulb for its base type (like E26 screw-in) and shape (like A19). Then, look at the fixture's label for the maximum wattage and choose a replacement bulb with the correct base, a compatible wattage (or higher lumens if you want brighter light), and the desired color temperature (measured in Kelvin) and technology (like LED). 
This video explains how to choose the right light bulb based on its characteristics: 58sFeit ElectricYouTube · Sep 29, 2022
1. Identify the base and shape 

• Look at the old bulb: Find markings on the old bulb itself. Common examples include an "E26" for a medium screw base or "B22" for a bayonet cap. 
• Measure the base: If there are no markings, measure the diameter of the base. An E26 base is 26mm, and you can multiply the diameter in inches by 8 to find the number for a corresponding shape code like an A19, notes Techlicious and this YouTube video. 
• Use the fixture's label: Some fixtures have a label with information printed on them, especially older ones, or you can take a photo to show an associate at a hardware store. 

You can watch this video to learn how to measure the base of a light bulb: 53sAMRE SupplyYouTube · Jul 5, 2020
2. Determine the brightness

• Check the fixture's maximum wattage: Look for a label on the fixture itself to find the maximum wattage it can handle. Never use a bulb with a wattage higher than this limit. 
• Use lumens for brightness: With modern bulbs like LEDs, it's better to use lumens, which measure the actual brightness, rather than watts. A higher number of lumens means a brighter bulb. 
• Find the equivalent: Look for a "wattage equivalent" on the packaging of new bulbs, which helps you choose a new LED bulb that has the same brightness as an old incandescent bulb you are replacing. 

This video explains how to choose the right light bulb based on brightness: 59sGE Lighting, a Savant companyYouTube · Jun 30, 2014
3. Choose the technology and color 

• Consider LED: LEDs are the most energy-efficient and long-lasting option. 
• Select the color temperature: The color temperature is measured in Kelvin (K). 
  • Warm White: Lower Kelvin numbers, like 2700K, create a cozy, yellowish light. 
  • Cool White/Daylight: Higher Kelvin numbers, around 5000K or more, produce a bluer, brighter, and more stimulating light. 
• Be consistent: It is best to choose one color temperature and use it consistently throughout a room or even the whole house for a uniform look. 

How do I know which headlight bulb fits my car?

There is usually a marking hidden somewhere on the outside of the headlight housing that will show you which headlight bulb fits into your headlight itself. With that being said, this will slow you to quickly find out which bulb you need so that you can replace it whenever it is burnt out.

How do I know what light bulb to buy for my car?

Every car is different, and there are a variety of bulbs to fit each make and model. The easiest way to find the right bulbs for your car is to use our handy online tool, where you can input your registration number and find the exact bulbs you need.

Is H11 or 9005 low beam?

H11 is typically the low beam bulb, while 9005 is the high beam bulb. They are not interchangeable because they have different base types and intended uses; the 9005 provides a brighter, more powerful light for high beams, and the H11 offers a lower-lumen output for low beams. 

Feature	H11	9005
Primary Use	Low beam or fog light	High beam
Brightness (Lumens)	Lower output (around 1350-1700 lm)	Higher output (around 1700-2100 lm)
Wattage	55 watts	65 watts
Socket	PGJ19-2 base	P20d base

(function(){
(this||self).Wufxzb=function(c,e,f,l,k){var d=document.getElementById(c);if(d&&(d.offsetWidth!==0||d.offsetHeight!==0)){c=d.querySelector("div");var g=c.scrollWidth-c.offsetWidth,h=Math.min(e?g:0,g);c.scrollLeft=e&&(l||f)?0:h;var a=d.getElementsByTagName("g-left-button")[0],b=d.getElementsByTagName("g-right-button")[0];a&&b&&(e=RegExp("\\btHT0l\\b"),f=RegExp("\\bpQXcHc\\b"),a.className=a.className.replace(e,""),b.className=b.className.replace(e,""),h===0?a.className="pQXcHc "+a.className:(a.className=
a.className.replace(f,""),k&&c.classList.add("pA30Ne")),h===g?b.className="pQXcHc "+b.className:(b.className=b.className.replace(f,""),k&&c.classList.add("FpCCub")),setTimeout(function(){a.className+=" tHT0l";b.className+=" tHT0l"},50))}};}).call(this);(function(){var id='_8dwlafbmNvK1i-gP_oaD6Ac_224';var rtl=false;var gecko=false;var edge=false;var soh=false;
(this||self).Wufxzb(id,rtl,gecko,edge,soh);})();