Nissan Altima License Plate Bulb Size

The Nissan Altima license plate light requires specific bulb sizes 12961 and 168 depending on the specific version of the vehicle being serviced for maintenance. Available data covers a range from 1993 through 2023 to provide information for various production periods of the automobile.

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
2022-2023	12961
2014-2018	168
2009	168
1993-2006	168

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

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The 168 bulb is an ANSI-standardized miniature wedge type in the T10 form factor, rated at 12V and 4.9W, and it serves as the license plate bulb for the Nissan Altima across model years 1993-2002, 2004-2006, 2009, and 2014-2018.
The 12961 is a Philips part number designation for a T10 miniature wedge bulb with a W2.1x9.5d base, rated at 12V and 5W, and it is specified for the Nissan Altima in 2022-2023.
Both the 168 and 12961 share the T10 wedge form factor, meaning they are physically similar in shape, though they carry different designations rooted in separate standardization systems: ANSI for the 168 and a Philips-specific number for the 12961.
The W2.1x9.5d base notation on the 12961 describes a wedge-type base where 2.1 refers to the wire contact width in millimeters and 9.5 refers to the insertion depth in millimeters, which is the IEC standard way of expressing wedge base geometry.
The 168 and 12961 differ slightly in rated wattage, with the 168 at 4.9W and the 12961 at 5W, both operating on a 12V circuit as is standard for automotive lighting systems.
Because the 168 follows an ANSI standard recognized across the United States and Canada, it is a widely cross-referenced bulb number that is interchangeable with several other designations such as the 194 in some applications, though fitment should be confirmed against the specific vehicle year before substitution.
The 12961 designation is manufacturer-specific to Philips, so sourcing an equivalent from another brand requires cross-referencing to confirm that the T10 wedge base, 12V rating, and 5W output all match the original specification.