Mazda Miata License Plate Bulb Size

The Mazda Miata license plate light uses bulb sizes 12961, 168, and 89 depending on the specific version of the vehicle. Available data covers the range from 1990 to 2005.

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
2004-2005	12961
1999-2003	168
1990-1997	89

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). Single-filament bulb with BA15s bayonet base. Lower wattage variant of 1156. 12V, 13W.	89

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The bulb 89 is the most frequently specified license plate bulb across the Mazda Miata's listed model years, covering 1990-1997 with the exception of 1998.
The 89 bulb operates at 12V and 13W, uses a BA15s single-contact bayonet base, and is classified as a lower wattage variant of the 1156 bulb type.
The 168 bulb is specified for the Mazda Miata across 1999-2002 and 2003, covering five model years in total.
Both the 168 and 12961 are T10 miniature wedge bulbs, meaning they share the same physical form factor despite carrying different part designations.
The 168 is an ANSI-standard designation rated at 12V and 4.9W, while the 12961 is a Philips-specific part number rated at 12V and 5W, with a W2.1x9.5d wedge base.
The near-identical wattage between the 168 (4.9W) and the 12961 (5W) reflects their shared T10 wedge form, though the 12961 carries a manufacturer-specific designation rather than an ANSI standard number.
For 2004-2005 Miata models, the specified bulb is the 12961, which represents a shift from the ANSI-standard 168 used in prior years to a Philips-catalogued equivalent.
The 89 bulb's BA15s bayonet base is physically incompatible with the wedge-style socket required by the 168 and 12961, making the two bulb families non-interchangeable despite all three serving the license plate position.
The wattage difference between the 89 (13W) and the T10 wedge types (approximately 5W) is substantial, reflecting a fundamental difference in bulb construction and socket design across the Miata's production span.
The 168 designation follows ANSI standards applicable in both the United States and Canada, as does the 89, placing both within the same regulatory framework for miniature automotive bulbs in North America.