Have you ever looked up a bulb number for an HID or LED headlight conversion you were installing, only to realize the bulb size didn’t match any of the part numbers you expected? If so, you’re definitely not alone. Headlight bulb naming can be confusing, especially since many bulbs share the same physical base but go by different designations depending on the manufacturer or standard.
To make things easier, we’ve put together a quick-reference list of the most common headlight bulb bases that are interchangeable. Use this guide to cross-reference bulb numbers and confidently select the correct replacement or upgrade for your vehicle.
9003 is the same as H4 HB2 is the same as H4 HB1 is the same as 9004 HB3 is the same as 9005 HB4 is the same as 9006 HB5 is the same as 9007 9008 is the same as H13 9145, 9140 is the same as H10 800, 891, 889 series bulbs are the same as 880 9012 is the same as 9006 H16 is the same as 5202 H8 and H9 is the same as H11 Knowing these cross-references can save you time, prevent ordering the wrong bulb, and make your next lighting upgrade far less frustrating. Before purchasing an HID or LED conversion kit, always double-check both the bulb type and the housing compatibility to ensure proper fitment and beam performance.Meet the people behind Better Automotive Lighting
John Tobias, Headlight Junkie and Industry Veteran
Before managing pricing and product categories for the DLG brands, John worked directly with customers in customer service and tech support, then spent several years in marketing creating content like this and the videos published online. Today he takes more than ten years of aftermarket automotive lighting experience to events all over the USA, meeting customers and talking to real people about what they care about. He is focused on understanding the market, the trends, the big players, and what matters to lighting enthusiasts. John has tested thousands of lights, works directly with lighting engineers to evaluate the technical performance behind every recommendation, and is one of the foremost experts on everything happening in the world of aftermarket automotive lighting. LinkedIn
