Suzuki Samurai License Plate Bulb Size

The Suzuki Samurai license plate light requires 168 and 194 bulb sizes for proper illumination. Data for the specific components covers the period from 1986 through 1995.

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
1990-1995	168
1986-1989	194

Bulb Specifications

Description	Bulb Size
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T10). 12V, 4.9W.	168
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Miniature wedge bulb (T10). 12V, 3.78W.	194

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Suzuki Samurai license plate bulb specifications cover model years 1986-1995, split across two bulb sizes depending on the production year.
The 1986-1989 Suzuki Samurai uses the 194 bulb for the license plate position, while the 1990-1995 model years use the 168 bulb instead.
Both the 168 and 194 are ANSI-standardized bulbs sold in the US and Canadian markets, and both share the same T10 miniature wedge base form factor.
Because the 168 and 194 share the T10 wedge base, they are physically interchangeable in terms of socket fit, but they are not electrically identical and should not be treated as direct substitutes.
The 168 bulb operates at 12 volts and draws 4.9 watts, making it the higher-wattage of the two bulbs specified across the Samurai's production run.
The 194 bulb also operates at 12 volts but draws only 3.78 watts, placing it at a lower power draw than the 168 used in later model years.
The T10 wedge base is a common miniature bulb format in which the glass envelope itself acts as the retention mechanism when inserted into the socket, with no separate metal base or pins involved.
The wattage difference between the 168 and 194 means that substituting one for the other could result in a brightness level that does not match the original factory specification for that model year.