Ford F-150 Bulb Size Guide (1975–2024): Complete Lighting Chart for Every Generation
Last Updated on 2025-11-30
Why knowing Ford F-150 bulb size actually matters.
If you drive a Ford F-150, sooner or later, you end up dealing with bulbs. Headlights get cloudy, a brake light fails right before an inspection, or you decide you want brighter reverse lights because backing up in the dark feels like guesswork. That’s where a clear Ford F-150 bulb size guide saves time, money, and nerves.
I’ve seen people buy bulbs three times in a row because the parts store handed them whatever was on the shelf. Wrong base, wrong wattage, wrong fit. That nonsense eats into your weekend and blows up the “small maintenance” budget. When you know the exact Ford F-150 bulb size for your generation, you walk in (or order online), grab the right part, and go straight to the value: better light, better visibility, fewer warnings on the dash.
This guide walks through Ford F-150 bulb size options from 1975 all the way through 2024. You’ll see where sealed-beam headlights live, where standard halogen capsules take over, and where LEDs start to dominate. I’ll point out common issues, quick upgrade tips, and where DIY is totally fine versus where paying a pro is a smart insurance policy.
The goal is simple: when someone asks you about Ford F-150 bulb size, you can answer with confidence for your own truck and not get niche slapped by confusing part numbers.
Quick snapshot of Ford F-150 bulb size evolution
Here’s the high-level arc. Early Ford F-150 trucks in the late 70s ran sealed-beam headlights. You don’t swap a “bulb”, you swap the entire headlamp unit. Then the 80s and early 90s gave you rectangular sealed beams and, later, composite housings with 9004/9007 style bulbs. Starting late 90s and 2000s, the Ford F-150 bulb size landscape shifted to capsule bulbs like H13/9008 up front and standard 3157/194 style bulbs around the rest of the truck. Modern generations bring more LED options and, in some trims, non-serviceable LED modules.
Throughout this guide, every table entry links directly to an Amazon search, so if you see your size, you can click and immediately explore halogen, LED, or premium options without guessing. That’s your little bonus shortcut.
1975–1979 Ford F-150 bulb sizes – classic round headlights
The first Ford F-150 years (mid-70s) used 7-inch round sealed beams. You don’t reuse the housing with a separate bulb; the whole thing is the light source. Many owners these days upgrade to LED conversions that keep the vintage look while delivering much more output and a cleaner color temperature.
This is where the Ford F-150 bulb size conversation starts: round 6014 sealed beams and a simple set of small bulbs around the truck.
| Position | Bulb type |
| Headlight (original sealed beam) | 6014 sealed beam |
| Headlight LED upgrade | H6024 LED conversion |
| Front park/turn | 1157 |
| Front side marker | 194 |
| Tail/brake | 1157 |
| Rear turn (where separate) | 1156 |
| Reverse light | 1156 |
| License plate | 194 |
| Instrument cluster | 194 |
| Dome/courtesy | 212-2 |
1980–1986 Ford F-150 bulb sizes – rectangular sealed beams
The 80–86 trucks move to rectangular sealed beams. You’ll see 6054 units in most Ford F-150 bulb size charts. Again, swapping the headlight means swapping the entire glass assembly. If you want more light without rewiring, LED H6054 conversions are the current go-to.
| Position | Bulb type |
| Headlight (original sealed beam) | 6054 sealed beam |
| Headlight LED upgrade | H6054 LED conversion |
| Front park/turn | 1157 |
| Front side marker | 194 |
| Tail/brake | 1157 |
| Rear turn (separate lamp trucks) | 1156 |
| Reverse | 1156 |
| License plate | 194 |
| Dome | 212-2 |
| Cluster backlight | 194 |
1987–1991 Ford F-150 bulb sizes – late square-headlight era
The late 80s and very early 90s kept the rectangular sealed-beam approach, so the Ford F-150 bulb size story still revolves around 6054 headlights. Ford tweaks the styling, but the bulb list stays familiar, with 194, 1156, and 1157 doing most of the supporting work around the truck.
| Position | Bulb type |
| Headlight (original sealed beam) | 6054 sealed beam |
| Headlight LED upgrade | H6054 LED conversion |
| Front park/turn | 1157 |
| Front side marker | 194 |
| Tail/brake | 1157 |
| Rear turn | 1156 |
| Reverse | 1156 |
| License plate | 194 |
| Dome | 211-2 |
| Cluster | 194 |
1992–1996 Ford F-150 bulb sizes – composite headlights arrive
Starting in 1992, the Ford F-150 bulb size charts began to show more familiar capsule bulbs instead of sealed beams. Many of these trucks use 9007 for a combined high/low beam. If you feel your lights are weak, upgrading to quality 9007 halogen or LED capsules makes a disproportionate difference in nighttime confidence.
| Position | Bulb type |
| Headlight high/low | 9007 |
| Front turn/park | 3157 |
| Front side marker | 194 |
| Fog light (where equipped) | 9145 |
| Tail/brake | 3157 |
| Rear turn (separate) | 1156 |
| Reverse | 3156 |
| License plate | 194 |
| Dome/courtesy | 211-2 |
| High mount stop | 912 |
1997–2003 Ford F-150 bulb sizes – 10th-gen rounded body
For the rounded 10th-gen trucks, the Ford F-150 bulb size pattern stabilizes around 9007 for headlamps and 3157 around the corners. This era is easy to upgrade with modern LED options. If you want a sneaky safety upgrade, brighter 3157 LED brake lights add real urgency for the driver behind you without changing the look of the truck itself.
| Position | Bulb type |
| Headlight high/low | 9007 |
| Front turn/park | 3157 |
| Front side marker | 194 |
| Fog light (where equipped) | 9145 |
| Tail/brake | 3157 |
| Rear turn | 3156 |
| Reverse | 3156 |
| License plate | 194 |
| High mount stop | 912 |
| Dome/map | 578 |
2004–2008 Ford F-150 bulb sizes – 11th-gen with h13 headlights
The 11th generation brings H13/9008 bulbs for combined high/low beams. This is where many owners feel the stock lights are mediocre and start hunting for upgrades. When you look up Ford F-150 bulb size for these years, you’ll often see some disagreement around the front turn signal. To make life easier, I include both 3157A and 3457A here, because both appear in the wild.
| Position | Bulb type |
| Headlight high/low | H13 / 9008 |
| Front turn/park (common) | 3157A amber |
| Front turn/park (alternate build) | 3457A amber |
| Fog light | 9145 |
| Tail/brake | 3157 |
| Rear turn | 3157 |
| Reverse | 912 |
| License plate | 168 |
| High-mount stop | 912 |
| Dome/map | 578 |
2009–2014 Ford F-150 bulb sizes – 12th-gen workhorses
These aluminum-bodied predecessors still hold a ton of value, and a lot of them roll around with tired halogen bulbs. In this era, Ford F-150 bulb size again centers on H13 for halogen setups, with familiar 3157 and 194 style bulbs around the truck. If you want one simple upgrade that feels like a dream outcome at night, high-quality H13 LED kits tend to deliver a clear value bump.
| Position | Bulb type |
| Headlight high/low (halogen) | H13 / 9008 |
| Front turn/park | 3157A amber |
| Fog light | 9145 |
| Tail/brake | 3157 |
| Rear turn | 3157 |
| Reverse | 921 |
| License plate | 194 |
| High mount stop | 912 |
| Dome | 578 |
| Map | 194 |
2015–2020 Ford F-150 bulb sizes – aluminum body, mixed lighting tech
Now we’re in the modern era where Ford plays with halogen, HID, and LED setups depending on trim. To keep this Ford F-150 bulb size guide practical, I focus on the common halogen-equipped trucks. These typically run separate low and high beams, with H11 and 9005 covering those roles. If you’re considering LED upgrades, this is the sweet spot where plug-and-play kits can deliver a big visibility bonus.
| Position | Bulb type |
| Low beam (halogen) | H11 |
| High beam (halogen) | 9005 |
| Front turn/DRL | 7444NA |
| Fog light | H10 / 9145 |
| Tail/brake | 7443 |
| Rear turn | 7440 |
| Reverse | 921 |
| License plate | 194 |
| High mount stop | 7443 |
| Dome/map | 578 |
2021–2024 Ford F-150 bulb sizes – focusing on serviceable bulbs
On the newest trucks, many higher trims use full LED modules for headlights that you don’t service with a simple bulb swap. Instead of fighting that, this part of the Ford F-150 bulb size guide zeroes in on bulbs you can still replace: fog lights, turns, reverse, and interior lighting. These are easy DIY wins that improve daily usability.
| Position | Bulb type |
| Front fog (halogen trims) | H11 |
| Front turn/DRL (non-LED) | 7444NA |
| Tail/brake (non-LED tails) | 7443 |
| Rear turn (non-LED) | 7440 |
| Reverse | 921 |
| License plate | 194 |
| High mount stop (non-LED) | 7443 |
| Dome | 578 |
| Map/front interior | 194 |
Typical lighting problems on Ford F-150 trucks
Across all these generations, Ford F-150 bulb size accuracy solves only part of the puzzle. Real life throws in hazy lenses, weak grounds, corroded sockets, and cheap bulbs that burn out early. I’ve watched people blame the truck when the real culprit was a bargain-bin bulb with terrible quality control.
On older sealed-beam trucks, a big complaint is “these lights suck; I can’t see anything.” That’s less about the truck and more about ancient sealed beams running at the end of their life. A fresh set of an LED H6024/H6054 upgrade fixes that value discrepancy overnight. On newer trucks, a common issue is hyperflash when swapping to LED turn bulbs. That’s not a disaster; it normally means you need resistors or LED-compatible flasher modules.
This Ford F-150 bulb size guide gives you the map, but the final result depends on the quality of the parts and how carefully you plug them in. Treat it as a chance to improve your dream outcome: safer night driving, cleaner look, fewer surprises.
How to choose LED upgrades without creating new problems
I love LEDs when they’re done right, and I strongly dislike them when they glare or scatter light everywhere. When you pick LED upgrades for any Ford F-150 bulb size, focus on beam pattern and compatibility, not on wild lumen claims. Well-designed H11 or H13 LEDs mimic the filament position of halogen bulbs to keep the beam sharp and predictable.
Also, pay attention to the housing condition. Dropping high-output LEDs into a yellow, crazed headlight lens gives you brighter ugliness, not clarity. Sometimes the most powerful move is a combination: fresh housings plus a moderate LED bulb that doesn’t blind everyone.
If you want to skip the decision fatigue, starting with common sizes like H11 LED bulbs for newer trucks or 9007 LED bulbs for 90s/early 2000s trucks hits a neat balance between cost and performance.
Basic bulb replacement approach on an F-150
Every generation hides access panels in a slightly different way, but the rhythm stays similar. You pop the hood, pull a retaining clip or two, rotate the socket, and pull the bulb straight out. For rear lamps, you usually remove a couple of screws in the tail lamp housing, ease the assembly away from the bed, and twist out the socket.
The idea is to keep dirt out of the housing and fingers off the glass. Oils on your skin can shorten the life of halogen bulbs, and a dirty seal lets moisture in, which fogs the lens and corrodes contacts. When you lock in a new bulb that matches the correct Ford F-150 bulb size, take a second to check that the rubber gasket seats evenly and that the connector clicks firmly. That tiny bit of urgency up front saves you head-scratching later.
When diy bulb work becomes risky
Most exterior bulb swaps on an F-150 are low-risk DIY moves. Still, there are a few points where I tell people to slow down:
- When wiring has been hacked by a previous owner, especially with trailer wiring or aftermarket light bars.
If you see melted connectors, random crimp taps, or voltage that wanders all over the place, pulling yet another bulb will not fix the root cause. In newer trucks with LED modules, sealed headlight assemblies, or complex driver electronics, forcing things or probing everything with a test light can damage components that cost egregious amounts of money. That’s where a qualified shop earns its profit margins.
The Ford F-150 bulb size information still helps you talk to that shop intelligently, which is its own kind of bonus guarantee against being upsold into stuff you don’t need.
Faq about Ford F-150 bulb size and upgrades: Does Ford F-150 bulb size change mid-generation?
Yes, it can. The 2004–2008 trucks that might use either 3157A or 3457A front turn signals are a good example. Plants, trims, and option packages all influence bulb choices. When in doubt, pull one bulb and read the number before ordering a full set.
Can I mix LED and halogen bulbs on my F-150?
You can, and many owners do. A common pattern is LED reverse and interior lights with halogen headlights. The main risk is mismatched color temperature that looks odd or hyperflash on turn signals if the truck thinks a bulb is “out” because LED current draw is lower than stock.
What’s the easiest lighting upgrade for value?
In my experience, the fastest value move is brighter reverse lights and better brake lights. Upgrading 921 reverse bulbs and 3157 or 7443 brake bulbs to quality LEDs makes parking, trailering, and stop-and-go traffic feel safer with almost no downside.
Why do my new LED turn signals blink fast?
Hyperflash happens because the truck’s flasher system reads current draw to detect failures. LEDs use much less power, so the system thinks a bulb has failed. Load resistors or LED-ready flashers balance the demand curve and bring the blink rate back to normal.
Are sealed-beam to LED conversions really worth it on old trucks?
For 70s and 80s F-150s, yes, as long as you pick decent H6024 or H6054 LED conversions. The jump in usable light is big, and the psychological comfort of seeing farther down a dark road is real. Cheap, badly aimed units are no bueno, though.
How often should I replace headlight bulbs?
Most people wait until a bulb fails. A more intentional move is to replace them in pairs every few years, especially if you notice output fading or color shifting. That keeps both sides matched and prevents one old bulb from dragging down your dream outcome for visibility.
Can a wrong Ford F-150 bulb size damage my wiring?
Using something wildly out of spec can stress sockets and wiring, especially if the wattage is higher than stock. That’s why nailing the right Ford F-150 bulb size matters. Sticking to compatible LED or halogen replacements protects both your harness and your sanity.
Do I need to aim headlights after upgrading to LEDs?
Yes, you should check the aim any time you change headlight bulbs or housings. Even within the same Ford F-150 bulb size, manufacturing tolerances differ. A quick adjustment against a wall makes sure you get maximum usable light without blasting oncoming traffic.
Will LED interior bulbs drain my battery faster?
No, they draw less power than halogens, so if anything, they reduce parasitic load when a door is open for a long time. The risk comes from lights being left on, not from LEDs themselves.
What’s the best way to keep moisture out of my headlight housings?
Verify that the rear caps seal fully, the bulbs match the correct Ford F-150 bulb size, and no vents are clogged. If a housing already leaks, sometimes the only real fix is replacing it; sealant band-aids can work for a while, but don’t always deliver a long-term guarantee.
If you treat this Ford F-150 bulb size guide as your baseline playbook, each bulb you touch becomes a chance to increase value, not another chore. Know the sizes, pick solid parts, and move with a bit of urgency before problems snowball — that’s how you keep your truck’s lighting sharp across decades of model changes.
