Nissan LEAF License Plate Bulb Size

Additional Notes

• The Nissan LEAF uses the 12961 bulb for the license plate position across all listed model years from 2011-2024, with the exception of 2021, which is not present in the specifications.
• The 12961 is a Philips part number designating a miniature wedge bulb in the T10 form factor, which is one of the most widely used bulb types in automotive exterior lighting applications.
• The T10 designation refers to the bulb's tubular shape, with the number indicating a width of 10 thirty-seconds of an inch, making it a compact light source suited to low-profile housings such as license plate lamps.
• The 12961 operates at 12 volts and 5 watts, which is consistent with standard low-current auxiliary lighting circuits found in passenger vehicles.
• The base type for this bulb is W2.1x9.5d, a wedge-style base that relies on wire contacts rather than a separate metal shell, securing the bulb through friction within the socket rather than a twist-lock mechanism.
• The W2.1x9.5d base is not interchangeable with bayonet or festoon base types, and substituting a bulb with a different base configuration would result in an incompatible fit for the Nissan LEAF license plate socket.
• The 12961 belongs to a family of T10 wedge bulbs that share the same base and voltage rating but may differ in wattage or filament construction, so wattage confirmation is relevant when sourcing a replacement to avoid exceeding the socket's rated load.