Automotive Light
Bulb Sizes Chart

What Headlight Bulb Do I Need for My Car?

Car headlights were created to provide additional safety and visibility on the road. So if you notice that your low or high beam light bulb starts to glimmer or loses its usual brightness, it means that the lamp is worn down and you need to replace it. 

Seasoned car owners recommend replacing bulbs in both left and right headlight assemblies, even if the malfunction was identified only in one of them.

Before buying and replacing car bulbs, make sure that the deterioration of the light beam is not associated with the dust and moisture into the headlight housing, as this can cause fogging of the glass inside, as well as deterioration of the beam light and the ability to reflect light by the headlight reflector.

Such a defect can be caused by a crack in the headlight housing or glass after mechanical impact, or an incorrectly installed or completely missing cap cover.

Depending on the brand, model, and year of manufacture, each vehicle will need a particular type, size, and fitting of bulb for its headlights, so there are many things to take into account when searching for a car light bulb replacement.

How to choose the headlight replacement bulbs

Before choosing a bulb you have to be sure that it fits your headlights. It is not necessary to buy a bulb that was the same manufacturer in your headlamp, it can be replaced by an alternative and trusted bulb maker like Bosch, Osram/Sylvania, Philips.

How do I know what headlight bulbs I need?

The easiest way to identify a bulb intended for your vehicle is to refer to your vehicle's owner's manual. Usually, it comprises detailed information about the type size and bulb, and model intended for your vehicle.

If, unfortunately, it has nothing about the bulb size or you simply cannot find the manual, try to input your car`s brand, model, and year of manufacturing (if needed) into the form above and run the search.

Finding The Right Headlight Bulb Fitting

Headlamp check

Some car headlamps contain information about the bulb. Usually, it is written on the body of the headlamp.

Using our online bulb finder

Another way to find out which bulb to install is to use an online bulb finder. All you have to do is to input your car brand, model, and year of manufacturing and click the search button.

Check out the markings on the burnt-out old bulb

To take out an old burnt-out bulb you have to unplug a connector and remove a cap  (or vice versa - to remove a cap first and unplug a connector) from the headlamp. After that, you have to unplug a wired clip from the bulb housing. Then look at how exactly the clip looks and how it fits. Check the bulb housing for fitting information, for example, H1.

Are high beam and low beam the same bulb?

Both for high and low beams the same type-size of the bulb could be applied. Some vehicle headlamps have separate placements for high and low beam bulbs. It allows the use of both high and low beam bulbs for brighter illumination of the road.

The headlights of a car may consist of separate reflectors for high and low beams installed in the headlight housing. In such headlights, single-filament bulbs are used, (for example, H1, H7) which have become widespread in recent years.

Double-filament lamps (H4) are used in headlights where one bulb is responsible for switching between low and high beams. In such a headlight, a universal reflector for low and high beams is installed, designed in a special way to provide high-quality low beams from the lower filament and far from the upper filament, which is slightly pushed forward inside this common bulb. If one of the filaments fails, the bulb has to be changed entirely.

Type of headlights

Halogens

Pros

Compared to other lighting technologies, halogen lights are far less expensive, which is their main benefit and the reason they have been used by car manufacturers for years. Halogens are still significantly less expensive than other headlight varieties when it comes to comparison.

Halogen lamps are a safe way to illuminate the road in front of you because car safety rules were developed around them. They are not ideal for driving in low-light conditions, which is a growing concern as more advanced technologies become accessible.

Cons

One of the primary reasons people decide to change to something brighter and more effective is the off-white light that is produced by halogen headlights. When driving at night, it's essential to be able to see as much of the road as possible. LEDs, for instance, offer significantly stronger brightness to provide a much wider range of vision.

Halogens are energy inefficient because they only consume 20% of their total energy for lighting, with the other energy being wasted as extra heat. The costs of operating halogens may be significantly higher than those of other, rival solutions due to their inefficiency and low durability.

LED

LED (light-emitting diode) headlights transfer the energy-emitting photons that produce light using semiconductors. Some of these headlights need additional airflow or heat sinks to regulate the temperature because they can get very hot.

Pros

Of all the available bulb types, LEDs generate the clearest brightness, giving you a larger field of vision for the road ahead. The lights are also warmer and less bright than HIDs, which makes them more accommodating to other road users.

LED lights are amazingly reliable and effective. As a result, you will spend less on the long-term servicing and replacement of your headlight bulbs

Cons

LEDs are more expensive than halogens, but they are now more accessible than ever before, and their prices are continuing to decline to more affordable levels.

LEDs don't usually come as standard equipment on new cars (on lower level trims), thus they're not always available from the factory.

HID/Xenon and Bi-Xenon

High-intensity discharge headlights, also known as HID headlights, use a blend of metals and gasses to produce a bright blue light when the filament is heated. Some HID lights charge xenon through electrodes with a high voltage rather than using a filament. HID headlights are high-end headlights that are popular because of their brightness and durability. Driving at night is much safer with this type of headlight.

Pros

Xenon HIDs create bright shining light that spans a wide color range. It outperforms halogen lights in terms of strength and illumination, providing high brightness and visibility on the road in low-light situations.

A large range of products are available, and HIDs may be selected easily based on their color and lighting quality. The HID  technology becomes more accessible, they remain a popular option among car enthusiasts due to their excellent aesthetic qualities.

Cons

When compared to halogen or LED headlights, xenon bulbs are far more susceptible to breaking and cracking. To avoid skin oils or moisture from hands coming into contact with the bulb, it is even recommended to use gloves when replacing HIDs.

It is more expensive to continuously replace bulbs when they have blown for new ones with xenon HIDs because they are so fragile in contrast to other light alternatives. Many drivers are now looking for a better choice after feeling dissatisfied with their decision to use HIDs.

Which is brighter: HID or LED?

LED lights have a brightness range of 9,000–10,000 lumens, HID lights may only have 8,000 lumens. In any case, LED and HID lights are far more productive than halogen lights.

How long should headlights last?

Many factors can impact the standard car bulb lifespan. Usually the car car bulb stops working when it's worn enough. The market of car bulbs is huge and diverse. Some headlight bulbs are so effective that they can operate for over 30,000 hours.

The average automotive bulb lifespan depends on the technology used:

• Halogen: 500-1,000 Hour Lifespan
• HID: 2,000 Hour Lifespan
• Xenon: 10,000 Hour Lifespan
• LED: 30,000 Hour Lifespan

What To Look For When Buying Headlight Bulbs

Compatibility with Local Regulations

Every car bulb is made for certain road regulations according to the country. The US and Europe have different headlight requirements due to their laws. In the US, the high and lowlights share the same reflector and bulb.

Two separate reflectors, each with a unique purpose, are part of the EURO light. The high is a high beam and the low beam is low. 

Life expectancy

Choosing a lightbulb you probably expect it to be on duty for a long time. Usually, the bulb package contains information about its lifetime which varies because of the type and purpose of the bulb. By choosing a long-lasting and durable bulb, you'll feel confident whatever the situation is.

Ease of Installation

Light bulb replacement may look easy enough. Some lightbulb packages include an additional short manual about the bulb itself with the information about installation without damaging it and  safety measures mentioned.

However, if you are not sure that you manage to change your bulb yourself, refer to a professional to assist you.

Light output

It goes without saying that having bright headlights will make nighttime driving safer and more pleasant. Check the lumens of each bulb product to learn how much light it produces. 

Because they provide the appropriate levels of brightness for nighttime driving, it is advisable to purchase headlights with 6000k lumens or greater. You will be able to see farther with brighter, daylight-white bulbs, which is vital for nighttime driving safety.

Reflector compatibility

All car headlamps have their construction due to the bulbs used. If you`re changing your previous bulbs to LEDs, you have to be sure that your car`s, pre-installed headlight reflectors are compatible with the new lights, because both bulbs and reflectors are to provide the proper beam.

Mistakes To Avoid When Buying Headlights

When you're looking for new bulbs, especially on the internet, try to avoid any unknown brands and pay attention to feedback if there are any. Don`t be deluded by the phrase "the best bulb on the market" offers and don't try to save your money by affording cheap bulbs. Also, the bulbs you choose have to meet the laws and regulations of your country.

FAQ

How should I handle a headlight bulb during installation?

Before the operation, it is recommended to wear nitrile gloves or use a clean piece of paper towel. Do not use bare fingers to touch a glass bulb, otherwise, skin moisture appears on the bulb body and causes its shattering inside the headlight housing. Also, be careful not to scratch a glass of the bulb during installation.

How often should I replace my headlight bulbs?

In most cases, everything depends on the manufacturer and bulb exploitation, however, if you notice any changes in its usual work such as flickering or low light sooner or later you have to replace the old bulb with a new one.

Can I make my headlights brighter?

Most likely, if the original factory system is still being used on an older vehicle. Several replacement halogen bulbs produce longer and brighter beams of light than the ones that came from the factory. Upgrades to LED bulbs can also provide even greater brightness, as well as the advantages of contemporary color temperatures and a higher life expectancy.

Can I put LED bulbs into a halogen headlamp housing?

Yes, you can. Although LEDs are to provide far better illumination it may turn out that your lamp reflector may not provide you with enough light due to its incompatibility. Before making any LED bulb changes, make sure that your reflector fits.

Are more expensive headlight bulbs worth it?

Although LED lamps may be more costly than traditional halogen bulbs, their purchase pays off after a while. In addition, the lighting quality and brightness of LED lamps are much higher. Their replacement regularity is much lower than that of halogen lamps.

What is the most common headlight bulb size?

H1 is one of the most common bulb sizes and is used for high beam, low beam, and fog lights by nearly every single car manufacturer.