BMW 530i Dome Light Bulb Size

The BMW 530i dome light utilizes bulb sizes 12961, 6411, and DE3423 across various production periods. Data for the specified lighting components covers the range from 1975 through 2007.

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
2006-2007	12961
2001-2005	6411
1995	DE3423
1975-1978	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). Festoon bulb, 36mm length, SV8.5 base. 12V, 5W.	6411
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon bulb, 41mm length, end-cap contacts. 12V.	DE3423

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The 6411 is the most frequently specified dome light bulb across the BMW 530i data, covering the 1975-1978 and 2001-2004 model years.
The 6411 is an ANSI-standardized festoon bulb with an SV8.5 base, a 36mm length, and a 12V, 5W rating.
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 specified for the BMW 530i for the 2006-2007 model years.
The wedge base of the 12961 and the SV8.5 festoon base of the 6411 are physically incompatible, meaning these two bulbs are not interchangeable despite sharing the same 12V, 5W electrical rating.
The DE3423 is an ANSI-standardized festoon bulb rated at 12V and uses end-cap contacts rather than the SV8.5 side-contact base found on the 6411.
The DE3423 is 41mm in length, while the 6411 is 36mm. Although both are festoon-type bulbs, the difference in length makes them incompatible with each other in sockets designed for a specific size.
The DE3423 carries no wattage value in the provided specifications, whereas both the 6411 and 12961 are rated at 5W.
The shift from the 6411 to the 12961 between the 2005 and 2006 model years represents a change from a festoon-style fitment to a wedge-style fitment for the dome light position on the BMW 530i.