Ford E-250 License Plate Bulb Size

The Ford E-250 license plate light requires a 168 or 194 bulb size depending on the specific version of the vehicle. Available data for the lighting components covers the range from 2003 to 2014.

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
2004-2014	168
1998-2003	194
1995-1997	168
1993-1994	194
1992	168
1975-1991	194

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T10). 12V, 4.9W.	168
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T10). 12V, 3.78W.	194

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Ford E-250 license plate position uses two bulb sizes across its model range: the 168 and the 194. Both are ANSI-standardized miniature wedge bulbs sharing the T10 form factor and a 12-volt operating voltage.
Although the 168 and 194 share the same T10 wedge base, they are not interchangeable without consideration, as they draw different wattages. The 168 operates at 4.9W, while the 194 operates at 3.78W.
The Ford E-250 (2004-2014) uses the 168 bulb for the license plate position across all eleven of those model years.
The 194 bulb is specified for the 1998-2003 model years, representing a six-year continuous run of that rating in the license plate position.
The 1995-1997 model years return to the 168 bulb, while 1993-1994 revert to the 194, reflecting non-uniform bulb assignments across the mid-1990s production span.
From 1975-1992, the license plate position is predominantly fitted with the 194 bulb, with the sole exception being 1992, which is specified as a 168.
The T10 wedge base is a single-contact, wedge-style fitting where the electrical contacts are formed by the glass envelope itself rather than a separate metal base, which is a defining characteristic of this bulb family.
The wattage difference between the 168 and 194 reflects a meaningful gap in power draw. Substituting a higher-wattage bulb into a socket rated for a lower one risks exceeding the thermal tolerance of the socket housing over time.