Audi A3 Dome Light Bulb Size

The Audi A3 dome light uses bulb sizes 12961, 194, and 6411 depending on the specific vehicle configuration and production variant. The replacement chart covers 2006 through 2024 model years with corresponding bulb size specifications.

The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.

Bulb Size by Year Range

Years	Bulb Size
2023-2024	12961
2022	194
2020-2021	12961
2013-2018	12961
2012	6411
2011	12961
2006-2010	6411

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
Philips part number. Miniature wedge bulb (T10) with W2.1x9.5d base. 12V, 5W.	12961
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T10). 12V, 3.78W.	194
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon bulb, 36mm length, SV8.5 base. 12V, 5W.	6411

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The 12961 is a Philips part number designating a T10 miniature wedge bulb with a W2.1x9.5d base, rated at 12V and 5W. It is the most frequently specified dome light bulb across the Audi A3 model range covered by these specifications.
The 6411 is an ANSI-standard festoon bulb with an SV8.5 base and a 36mm length, rated at 12V and 5W. A festoon bulb is cylindrical in form and seats by pressing into spring-loaded end clips rather than inserting into a socket.
The 194 is an ANSI-standard T10 miniature wedge bulb rated at 12V and 3.78W. The wedge base design means the glass envelope itself acts as the retention mechanism, with no separate metal base required.
Although the 12961 and the 194 share the T10 wedge form factor, their wattage ratings differ. The 12961 draws 5W while the 194 draws 3.78W, which means the two are not electrically identical despite their physical similarity.
The Audi A3 (2022) is specified with the 194 bulb, while the surrounding model years call for the 12961. These two bulbs carry different wattage ratings, so substituting one for the other without confirming socket compatibility is inadvisable.
The 6411 festoon and the 12961 wedge use entirely different base types and physical mounting methods, making them non-interchangeable regardless of their matching 12V, 5W ratings.
The W2.1x9.5d base designation on the 12961 refers to a specific wedge base standard defined by the IEC, where 2.1 denotes the wire contact width in millimeters and 9.5d describes the base body geometry.
The SV8.5 base on the 6411 is a festoon-type designation in which the number 8.5 refers to the contact cap width in millimeters, a dimension relevant to socket fit.
For the 2006-2010 and 2012 model years, the dome light specification calls for the 6411 festoon bulb, while the 2011 and 2013-2024 model years predominantly use wedge-type bulbs.
The ANSI designation on the 194 and 6411 indicates conformance to a standardized North American specification, whereas the 12961 is identified by a manufacturer part number rather than a regional standards body classification.