Subaru WRX License Plate Bulb Size

The Subaru WRX license plate light uses 12961 and 168 bulb sizes for the exterior illumination system. Data for the specific components covers the time range from 2018 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
2020-2023	12961
2018-2019	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 WRX uses two distinct license plate bulb sizes across the 2018-2023 model years, split between the 168 and 12961 types.
Both the 168 and 12961 are T10 miniature wedge bulbs operating at 12 volts, which places them in the same broad bulb family despite being separate part designations.
The 12961 is a Philips part number rather than an ANSI industry standard, and it carries a W2.1x9.5d base with a 5W output rating.
The 168 follows the ANSI standard recognized in the United States and Canada, with a rated output of 4.9W, making it marginally lower in wattage than the 12961.
Although both bulbs share the T10 form factor, the 12961 specifies a W2.1x9.5d base designation, which is the metric wedge base standard. The 168 does not carry an equivalent base code in its ANSI designation, and the two are not confirmed as interchangeable in these specifications.
The Subaru WRX (2021-2023) uses the 12961 bulb for the license plate position, representing a three-year consistent fitment across those model years.
The 2019-2020 model years each use different bulb sizes, with 2019-2020 split between the 168 and 12961 respectively, meaning the transition between bulb types occurred between the 2019 and 2020 model years.
The 168 bulb was fitted to the 2018-2019 Subaru WRX for the license plate position across those two model years.