Cadillac Escalade License Plate Bulb Size

Additional Notes

• The Cadillac Escalade license plate bulb specifications reference two distinct bulb types across its model years: the 194 and the 12961, both of which share the T10 miniature wedge form factor.
• The 194 is an ANSI-standardized bulb rated at 12V and 3.78W, making it a widely available reference number recognized across the US and Canadian markets.
• The 12961 is a Philips part number rather than an ANSI industry code, rated at 12V and 5W, and specifies a W2.1x9.5d base, which is the standard base designation for the T10 wedge family.
• Although both bulbs share the T10 wedge form factor and the same voltage rating, their wattage differs: the 194 draws 3.78W while the 12961 draws 5W, which represents a meaningful difference in power consumption for a license plate application.
• The Cadillac Escalade used the 194 bulb for the 1999-2006 model years in its license plate position.
• The 12961 bulb was specified for the Cadillac Escalade license plate position across the 2007-2020 model years, representing the longest continuous fitment period in the specifications.
• The 2021 and 2023 model years return to the 194 bulb specification, indicating a shift away from the 12961 that had been used in the preceding generation.
• Because the 194 and 12961 share the T10 wedge base, physical fitment between the two is possible, but the difference in wattage means they are not electrically identical replacements for one another.