Chevrolet Tahoe License Plate Bulb Size

The Chevrolet Tahoe license plate light requires 194 and 12961 bulb sizes for proper illumination of the rear vehicle area. Available data covers the range from 1995 to 2023.

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	194
2021	194
2015-2020	12961
2007	12961
1995-2006	194

Bulb Specifications

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

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Chevrolet Tahoe license plate position uses 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 replacement across the US and Canadian markets.
The 12961 is a Philips part number rated at 12V and 5W, drawing slightly more power than the 194, and it uses a W2.1x9.5d base specification.
Although both bulbs share the T10 wedge form factor, the difference in wattage (3.78W versus 5W) and base specification means they are not confirmed interchangeable without verifying socket compatibility for a given model year.
The Chevrolet Tahoe used the 194 bulb from 1995-2006, representing the longest continuous fitment period in the listed specifications.
The 12961 bulb was specified for the 2007 Tahoe and then again for 2015-2020, with the 2007 entry standing as a single-year fitment between two eras of 194 usage.
The 2021 and 2023 Tahoe model years return to the 194 bulb, which reflects a shift away from the 12961 that was used through 2020.
The T10 wedge base is a common platform in automotive lighting, and aftermarket LED replacements are frequently produced in this size, though electrical compatibility with the vehicle's socket and any load-sensing circuits remains a separate consideration.