Ford Explorer License Plate Bulb Size

The Ford Explorer license plate light uses 12961 and 168 and 194 bulb sizes. Provided information covers the range from 1991 through 2023 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

Years	Bulb Size
2020-2023	12961
1998-2019	168
1991-1997	194

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
Philips part number. Miniature wedge bulb (T10) with W2.1x9.5d base. 12V, 5W.	12961
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 Explorer license plate bulb specifications reference three distinct part numbers across its model years: 12961, 168, and 194. All three belong to the T10 miniature wedge bulb family, which shares a common physical form factor and wedge-style base design.
The 168 bulb is an ANSI-standardized type used in the United States and Canada. It operates at 12V and draws 4.9W, making it the most frequently specified license plate bulb across the Ford Explorer's history, covering the 1998-2019 model years.
The 194 bulb is also an ANSI-standardized type for the US and Canadian markets. It runs at 12V and draws 3.78W. This lower wattage rating distinguishes it from the 168, despite both sharing the T10 wedge form factor.
The 12961 is a Philips-designated part number rather than an ANSI standard designation. It specifies a T10 wedge bulb with a W2.1x9.5d base, rated at 12V and 5W. This is the highest wattage rating among the three bulb types listed in these specifications.
The Ford Explorer (2020-2023) uses the 12961 bulb for the license plate position. Because this is a manufacturer-specific part number rather than a universal ANSI designation, substitution with ANSI-equivalent T10 bulbs requires verification of base compatibility with the W2.1x9.5d specification.
Although the 168 and 194 bulbs share the T10 wedge form factor, their wattage ratings differ. The 194 draws approximately 1.12W less than the 168, which affects light output. Direct substitution between these two types is not confirmed by the specifications for any given model year.
The 1991-1997 Ford Explorer uses the 194 bulb, while the 1998-2019 model years use the 168. Both are T10 wedge types, but the wattage difference between them reflects a specification change at the 1998 model year boundary.
All three bulb types operate on a 12V electrical system, consistent with standard automotive low-voltage architecture. This voltage rating is uniform across all model years listed in the specifications.