H11, 9005, and 9006 are the three most common headlight bulb sizes in the US. If you're upgrading to LED, you need the right one — they are not interchangeable.
This guide explains the differences between H11, 9005, and 9006 bulbs, what each one is used for, and how to find the correct size for your vehicle.
Quick Answer
| Bulb | Primary Use | Wattage | Lumens | Connector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| H11 | Low beam, fog light | 55W | ~1,350 lm | L-shaped, 2 prongs close together |
| 9005 (HB3) | High beam | 65W | ~1,700 lm | L-shaped, 2 prongs wide apart |
| 9006 (HB4) | Low beam | 55W | ~1,000 lm | L-shaped, 2 prongs wide apart |
They look similar but have different connectors. You cannot plug a 9005 into an H11 socket or vice versa without modification.
H11 Explained
The H11 is the most versatile of the three. It serves as both a low beam headlight and a fog light in many popular vehicles.
Common H11 vehicles: - Toyota Camry (2007–2024) — low beam - Toyota Tacoma (2016–2024) — low beam + fog - Honda Civic (2006–2024) — low beam - Ford F-150 (2015–2024) — low beam + fog - Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (2007–2024) — low beam + fog - Subaru Forester (2009–2018) — low beam + fog - Toyota RAV4 (2006–2024) — low beam
Cross-compatible sizes: H11, H8, H9, and H16 share the same connector. If your car uses any of these, an H11 LED bulb will fit.
Why H11 is popular: It covers both low beam and fog light applications, which means many drivers only need one bulb size for two positions.
9005 (HB3) Explained
The 9005 is primarily a high beam bulb. It produces more light than the H11 or 9006 because high beams are designed for maximum forward distance.
Common 9005 vehicles: - Toyota Tacoma (2016–2024) — high beam - Ford F-150 (2015–2024) — high beam - Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (2007–2024) — high beam - Honda Accord (2008–2024) — high beam - Toyota Camry (2007–2024) — high beam - Subaru Forester (2009–2018) — high beam - Toyota 4Runner (2006–2024) — high beam
Also known as: HB3. The 9005 and HB3 are the exact same bulb.
9005 as low beam? Some vehicles use the 9005 as a low beam, particularly certain Chrysler and older GM models. The Ram 1500 Classic with projector headlights uses 9005 for both low and high beam.
9006 (HB4) Explained
The 9006 is a low beam bulb, similar to the H11 but with a different connector. It was the standard low beam size before the H11 became more common.
Common 9006 vehicles: - Toyota Corolla (2020–2024) — high beam - Ram 1500 Classic (2019–2024) — fog light - Older Chevrolet, GM, and Nissan models — low beam
Also known as: HB4.
9006 vs H11: Both are low beam bulbs with similar specs, but they have different connectors and are not interchangeable. The H11 has become more common in newer vehicles (2010+), while the 9006 is more common in older vehicles.
H11 vs 9005: Key Differences
| Feature | H11 | 9005 (HB3) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary use | Low beam / fog | High beam |
| Wattage | 55W | 65W |
| Brightness | ~1,350 lm | ~1,700 lm |
| Connector | Narrow pin spacing | Wide pin spacing |
| Interchangeable? | No | No |
Can I use a 9005 as an H11? No. The connectors are physically different. The 9005 has wider-spaced pins and a different locking tab. Forcing a 9005 into an H11 socket can damage the connector.
9005 vs 9006: Key Differences
| Feature | 9005 (HB3) | 9006 (HB4) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary use | High beam | Low beam |
| Wattage | 65W | 55W |
| Brightness | ~1,700 lm | ~1,000 lm |
| Connector | Similar to 9006 | Similar to 9005 |
| Interchangeable? | Physically possible* | No (won't fit 9005 socket) |
*A 9005 bulb can physically fit into a 9006 socket with minor tab modification, but this is not recommended. The 9005 draws more power and is designed for a different beam pattern.
H11 vs 9006: Key Differences
| Feature | H11 | 9006 (HB4) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary use | Low beam / fog | Low beam |
| Wattage | 55W | 55W |
| Brightness | ~1,350 lm | ~1,000 lm |
| Connector | Different from 9006 | Different from H11 |
| Interchangeable? | No | No |
Both are low beam bulbs, but the H11 is brighter and more common in newer vehicles. They use completely different connectors.
How to Find Your Bulb Size
-
Check your owner's manual — The bulb sizes for every position (low beam, high beam, fog) are listed in the maintenance section.
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Look at the existing bulb — Remove the bulb and check the markings on the base. It will say H11, 9005/HB3, 9006/HB4, or similar.
-
Use an online bulb finder — Enter your year, make, and model on sites like Sylvania Bulb Finder for the OEM specification.
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Ask us — Contact Driveon with your Year, Make, Model, and Trim. We'll confirm the exact bulb size for free.
Many Vehicles Use Both H11 and 9005
Here's an important point: most trucks and SUVs use H11 for low beam AND 9005 for high beam. They're not competing choices — you need both.
| Vehicle | Low Beam | High Beam | Fog Light |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Tacoma (2016–2024) | H11 | 9005 | H11 |
| Ford F-150 (2015–2024) | H11 | 9005 | H11 |
| Chevy Silverado (2007–2024) | H11 | 9005 | H11 |
| Honda Accord (2008–2024) | H11 | 9005 | — |
| Toyota Camry (2007–2024) | H11 | 9005 | — |
| Subaru Forester (2009–2018) | H11 | 9005 | H11 |
| Ram 1500 (2019–2024) | H11 | 9005 | H11 |
If you're upgrading your headlights, upgrade both low and high beam at the same time for a consistent look and brightness. Mixing halogen high beams with LED low beams creates an uneven appearance.
Upgrading to LED
When switching from halogen to LED, the bulb size stays the same — same connector, same socket, just much better light. Driveon carries Summit (premium, 10,000LM, CANBUS-ready) and Coast (value, 5,000LM, fanless) in all three sizes.
Complete Bundle — Low + High Beam
Driveon Summit — H11 + 9005
Low beam · High beam
2 pairs · 50W · 10,000LM · 6000K · Free US Shipping
$129.98
Driveon Coast — H11 + 9005
Low beam · High beam
2 pairs · 23W · 5,000LM · 6000K · Fanless · Free US Shipping
$79.98
Buy Individual Bulbs
Driveon Summit — H11 H8 H9 LED Headlight Bulbs
50W · 10,000LM · 6000K · 2 Bulbs · Free US Shipping
$64.99
Driveon Summit — 9005 LED Headlight Bulbs
50W · 10,000LM · 6000K · 2 Bulbs · Free US Shipping
$64.99
Driveon Summit — 9006 / 9012 LED Headlight Bulbs
50W · 10,000LM · 6000K · 2 Bulbs · Free US Shipping
$64.99
Driveon Coast — H11 H8 H9 LED Headlight Bulbs
23W · 5,000LM · 6000K · 2 Bulbs · Fanless · Free US Shipping
$39.99
Driveon Coast — 9005 LED Headlight Bulbs
23W · 5,000LM · 6000K · 2 Bulbs · Fanless · Free US Shipping
$39.99
Driveon Coast — 9006 LED Headlight Bulbs
23W · 5,000LM · 6000K · 2 Bulbs · Fanless · Free US Shipping
$39.99
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use H11 instead of 9005? No. They have different connectors and are designed for different beam positions. Using the wrong bulb will not fit in the socket.
Can I use 9005 instead of 9006? A 9005 can physically fit a 9006 socket with a small tab modification, but it's not recommended. The 9005 draws more power and has a different beam pattern that may cause glare in a low beam housing.
My car uses H8/H9/H16 — can I use H11? Yes. H11, H8, H9, and H16 share the same connector. An H11 LED bulb will fit all four designations.
How do I know if my car uses H11 or 9006 for low beams? Check your owner's manual or look at the markings on your current bulb. You can also contact us with your Year, Make, Model, and Trim for a free fitment check.
Should I upgrade low beams and high beams at the same time? We recommend it. Mixing LED low beams with halogen high beams creates an uneven color — white low beams and yellow high beams look mismatched.