Chevrolet Colorado License Plate Bulb Size

The Chevrolet Colorado license plate light uses 194 and 12961 bulb sizes for the exterior illumination of the rear registration area. Available information covers the range from 2004 through 2024 for the specified vehicle components.

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

If US Type and EU Type show the same value, a direct cross-reference for this bulb is not available or the data is insufficient.

Years	US Type	EU Type	Shop
2023-2024	194	W5W	Check Price
2019-2020	194	W5W	Check Price
2015-2018	12961	12961	Check Price
2004-2012	12961	12961	Check Price

Bulb Specifications

Description	Type	Shop
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T10). 12V, 3.78W.	194	Check Price
ECE standard (Europe & worldwide). Single-filament signalling bulb with W2.1x9.5d wedge base. 12V, 5W.	W5W	Check Price
Philips part number. Miniature wedge bulb (T10) with W2.1x9.5d base. 12V, 5W.	12961	Check Price

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Chevrolet Colorado license plate bulb specifications cover two distinct bulb types across the model's production years: the 194 and the 12961, both of which share the T10 miniature wedge form factor.
The 194 is an ANSI-standardized bulb, meaning it conforms to a widely recognized North American classification system used across multiple manufacturers and applications. It operates at 12V and draws 3.78W.
The 12961 is a Philips part number designation rather than an ANSI code. It specifies a T10 miniature wedge bulb with a W2.1x9.5d base, rated at 12V and 5W, placing its wattage slightly higher than the 194.
The W2.1x9.5d base designation on the 12961 describes a specific wedge base where 2.1 refers to the wire contact width in millimeters and 9.5 refers to the base length in millimeters, which defines its physical fitment characteristics.
The Chevrolet Colorado (2004-2018) uses the 12961 bulb for the license plate position, representing the longer-running fitment across the model's history in these specifications.
The 194 bulb applies to the 2019-2020 and 2023-2024 model years, indicating a shift in the license plate bulb specification for the Colorado's later generation.
Although both bulbs share the T10 wedge form factor, the difference in wattage (3.78W for the 194 versus 5W for the 12961) means the two are not electrically identical, which is a relevant consideration when substituting one for the other.
The T10 designation refers to a tubular bulb with a 10mm body width, a common sizing classification used to categorize miniature automotive bulbs by their physical envelope.