Nissan Sentra License Plate Bulb Size

The Nissan Sentra license plate light uses unique bulb sizes 12961, 168, 194, 89, and 97 depending on the specific version of the vehicle. Available data covers the range from 1982 through 2020 for the components listed in the provided chart.

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	12961
2018	12961
2007-2015	168
2000-2006	194
1991-1999	168
1990	89
1988-1989	168
1982-1987	97

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
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA15s bayonet base. Lower wattage variant of 1156. 12V, 13W.	89
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Single-filament bulb with BA15s bayonet base. Variant of 1156. 12V, 13W.	97

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Nissan Sentra license plate bulb specifications span model years 1982 through 2020, with five distinct bulb sizes appearing across that range: 12961, 168, 194, 89, and 97.
The 168 is the most frequently specified bulb across the Nissan Sentra's history, covering the 1988-1999 and 2007-2015 model years for license plate fitment.
The 168 is an ANSI-standard T10 miniature wedge bulb rated at 12V and 4.9W, making it a widely available size in the North American market.
The 194 is also a T10 miniature wedge bulb but operates at a lower wattage of 3.78W compared to the 168's 4.9W, and it is specified for the Nissan Sentra from 2000 through 2006.
Although the 168 and 194 share the same T10 wedge form factor and base type, their differing wattage ratings mean they are not electrically identical, and substituting one for the other may affect performance or compliance with original equipment specifications.
The 12961 is a Philips-branded part number rather than an ANSI standard designation, specified for the Nissan Sentra in 2018 and 2020. It is a T10 wedge bulb with a W2.1x9.5d base, rated at 12V and 5W.
The W2.1x9.5d base of the 12961 is the metric designation for the standard T10 wedge base, which is physically the same base type used by the ANSI 168 and 194 bulbs, though the 12961 carries a slightly higher wattage than either.
The 89 bulb, specified for the 1990 Nissan Sentra, uses a BA15s single-contact bayonet base rather than a wedge base, making it physically incompatible with T10 wedge sockets used in other Sentra model years.
The 97 bulb, specified for the 1982-1987 Nissan Sentra, also uses a BA15s bayonet base and shares its 13W rating with the 89. Both are variants of the 1156 bulb family and are not interchangeable with any of the wedge-base bulbs listed for later model years.
The shift from BA15s bayonet-base bulbs in the 1982-1990 period to T10 wedge-base bulbs from 1988 onward reflects a broader industry transition, and installers sourcing replacements for early Sentra models should confirm the base type before selecting a substitute.