Subaru BRZ License Plate Bulb Size

The Subaru BRZ license plate light uses 168 and 12961 bulb sizes for illumination. Data for the specified components covers the period from 2013 through 2023.

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	12961
2020	12961
2013-2019	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 Subaru BRZ license plate bulb specifications reference two distinct part numbers across the model's production years: the 168 and the 12961.
The 168 is an ANSI-standardized miniature wedge bulb operating at 12V and 4.9W, with the T10 wedge form factor widely used in North American automotive lighting applications.
The 12961 is a Philips-designated part number for a T10 miniature wedge bulb with a W2.1x9.5d base, rated at 12V and 5W.
Both bulbs share the T10 wedge form factor, though the 12961 carries a manufacturer-specific base designation (W2.1x9.5d) that reflects European IEC/ISO naming conventions rather than the ANSI system used for the 168.
The Subaru BRZ (2013-2019) uses the 168 bulb for the license plate position across all model years in that range.
The 2020 and 2023 Subaru BRZ model years specify the 12961 bulb for the license plate position.
The power output difference between the two bulbs is marginal, with the 168 rated at 4.9W and the 12961 at 5W, both operating on a standard 12V automotive circuit.
Although the 168 and 12961 share the T10 physical form factor, the differing base designations and part number origins indicate that substitution between the two should be treated with caution in fitment-sensitive applications.