GMC Yukon XL License Plate Bulb Size

The GMC Yukon XL license plate light requires 194 and 12961 bulb sizes for the exterior illumination of the rear registration area. Available information covers the specific time period from 2015 through 2023 for the listed 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
2023	194
2021	194
2015-2020	12961

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 194 is an ANSI-standardized miniature wedge bulb rated at 12V and 3.78W, recognized across the United States and Canada under a common industry designation.
The 12961 is a Philips part number for a miniature wedge bulb sharing the T10 form factor but carrying a W2.1x9.5d base rating and a slightly higher 5W power draw compared to the 194.
Both the 194 and 12961 occupy the T10 wedge form factor, which refers to the tapered, pin-free base style that seats directly into a socket without a separate locking mechanism.
The GMC Yukon XL uses the 12961 bulb for its license plate position across the 2015-2020 model years.
The 2021 and 2023 Yukon XL models specify the 194 bulb for the license plate position, reflecting a different fitment than the preceding generation.
Although the 194 and 12961 share the T10 physical format, their wattage ratings differ, with the 12961 drawing approximately 1.22W more than the 194 under the same 12V supply.
The W2.1x9.5d base designation on the 12961 describes a specific wedge base width and pin spacing standard, which is a detail not formally encoded in the ANSI 194 designation.
Because the 194 and 12961 are catalogued as separate fitments across different model years of the Yukon XL, substituting one for the other without confirming the model year risks an incorrect socket or electrical match.