Volkswagen Golf Bulb Size Chart 1974–2025: What Fits Every Generation
Last Updated on 2025-11-30
Why Volkswagen Golf bulb size matters
If you drive a Golf, you probably do a lot with it – commuting, grocery runs, late-night highway stretches, maybe the occasional road trip where you push the tank and your attention span at the same time. In all of that, lighting feels like boring infrastructure until a low beam dies in the rain or the reverse lights stop showing anything behind you. That is where knowing the correct Volkswagen Golf bulb size turns from trivia into a real-world time saver.
When you know every key bulb size, you avoid random parts store guesswork, you avoid paying egregious amounts of money at a dealer for something that takes ten minutes, and you keep control over the “dream outcome” of your lighting – strong visibility, clean look, and fewer warnings on the dash. This guide walks Mk1 through Mk8, so you can match any Golf from 1974 to 2025 to the right bulbs, with clear tables and direct Amazon search links baked in.
I’ll keep things simple, talk through common problems, show where LEDs make sense, and point out where DIY starts to be no bueno. The keyword theme stays the same: when you understand Volkswagen Golf bulb size options, your decisions get faster, and the value you get from every upgrade goes up.
Quick snapshot of Golf bulbs by generation
Before diving into details, here is a quick, high-level snapshot. This table is handy if you want a fast reference for headlight bulbs only,y and you already know which generation you have. Later sections go deeper into every exterior position, but this overview anchors the whole Volkswagen Golf bulb size story.
| Generation | Model years (approx.) | Low beam bulb | High beam bulb |
| Mk1 | 1974–1983 | H4 | H4 |
| Mk2 | 1983–1992 | H4 | H4 |
| Mk3 | 1991–1999 | H7 | H1 |
| Mk4 | 1997–2006 | H7 | H1 |
| Mk5 | 2003–2009 | H7 | H15 |
| Mk6 | 2008–2013 | H7 | H15 |
| Mk7 | 2012–2020 | H7 (halogen trims) | H15 (halogen trims) |
| Mk8 | 2019–2025 | H7 (base halogen) | H7 (base halogen) |
If all you needed was a quick answer, you already got solid value here. If you want to line up every outside bulb for your Golf and make LED decisions with confidence, keep going through the detailed Volkswagen Golf bulb size breakdowns below.
Golf Mk1 (1974–1983) lighting breakdown
Mk1 Golfs are getting old enough to count as treasured projects. Many of them have been modified, so always double-check what you see in the housing before ordering. In a stock-style setup, these are the typical bulb sizes people work with when refreshing a first-generation Golf.
| Position | Bulb type | Notes |
| Low / high beam | H4 | Dual-filament for low and high beam in one lamp |
| Front fog light | H3 | Where equipped with factory or period fog lamps |
| Front turn signal | 1156 | Single-filament amber |
| Front parking / position | W5W | Small wedge bulb in the corner lights |
| Rear turn signal | 1156 | Standard rear indicator |
| Tail / brake light | 1157 | Dual-filament tail and stop function |
| Reverse light | 1156 | White reverse lamp in rear cluster |
| Rear fog (where fitted) | P21W | Common on European-spec models |
| License plate light | W5W | Often two bulbs above the plate |
| Interior dome / map | W5W | Simple wedge bulb above front seats |
| Trunk / cargo | 31mm festoon | Festoon lamp on the side trim |
On a Mk1, the biggest value move is often swapping the H4 headlight to a modern H4 LED or higher-performance halogen. A decent upgrade from a generic H4 LED search can transform how the car feels at night, as long as the beam pattern lines up with your reflector design.
Golf Mk2 (1983–1992) bulb sizes
Mk2 lighting takes a small step toward modern, with more consistent reflector designs and a bit more standardization. A lot of owners retrofit dual-round or “big bumpers,” so again, visually confirm your lamps. As a baseline guide, these are the common Volkswagen Golf bulb size values you see on a mostly stock Mk2.
| Position | Bulb type | Notes |
| Low / high beam | H4 | Dual-filament headlamp unit |
| Front fog light | H3 | Integrated in bumper on many trims |
| Front turn signal | 1156 | Amber bulb in corner indicator |
| Front parking / position | W5W | Shared with side/parking lamp |
| Rear turn signal | 1156 | Standard indicator in rear cluster |
| Tail / brake light | 1157 | Combined tail and brake |
| Reverse light | 1156 | White lamp in lower section |
| Rear fog | P21W | Often a single extra-bright rear lamp |
| License plate | W5W | Two lamps over the plate |
| 3rd brake (later cars) | 921 | High-mounted stop light where fitted |
| Interior dome / map | W5W | Standard wedge interior bulb |
| Trunk | 31mm festoon | Side-mounted cargo lamp |
Golf Mk3 (1991–1999) bulb sizes and notes
Mk3 Golfs feel much more “modern daily driver,” and the bulb sizing starts looking like the pattern that continues for several generations. Here is a typical Mk3 layout, which many owners use as a base before switching to LEDs.
| Position | Bulb type | Notes |
| Low beam | H7 | Separate low beam reflector |
| High beam | H1 | Dedicated high beam lamp |
| Front fog light | H3 | Factory fogs in the lower bumper |
| Front turn signal | PY21W | Amber bulb in front corner |
| Front parking / position | W5W | City light inside the headlamp |
| Rear turn signal | PY21W | Rear indicator |
| Tail / brake light | P21/5W | Combined stop and tail |
| Reverse light | P21W | White reverse lamp |
| Rear fog | P21W | High-intensity rear unit |
| License plate | W5W | Two wedge bulbs |
| 3rd brake light | W16W | High-mounted stop lamp |
| Interior dome | W5W | Front overhead console |
| Trunk | 31mm festoon | Side panel cargo area |
Golf Mk4 (1997–2006) bulb size guide
Mk4 owners often chase neat visual upgrades: clear lenses, angel eyes, or clean white LEDs. Knowing the stock Volkswagen Golf bulb size layout lets you turn those ideas into a concrete shopping list instead of guesswork.
| Position | Bulb type | Notes |
| Low beam | H7 | Primary low beam reflector |
| High beam | H1 | Separate high beam unit |
| Front fog light | H3 | Lower bumper housing |
| Daytime running light (where coded) | P21W | Often in front inner lamp |
| Front turn signal | PY21W | Amber corner indicator |
| Rear turn signal | PY21W | Rear cluster indicator |
| Tail / brake light | P21/5W | Combined tail and stop |
| Reverse light | W16W | White reverse lamp |
| Rear fog | P21W | Single bright rear lamp |
| License plate | W5W | Two bulbs in plate lights |
| 3rd brake light | W16W | High-mounted brake lamp |
| Interior dome / map | W5W | Front overhead console bulbs |
| Trunk | 38mm festoon | Cargo lamp in hatch area |
Golf Mk5 (2003–2009) bulb sizes
Mk5 is where a lot of people meet CAN bus headaches for the first time. The car monitors bulbs, so random cheap LEDs can trigger warnings. The table below gives you the baseline Volkswagen Golf bulb size layout for a typical Mk5, so you can then pick CAN-bus-safe LED options where it makes sense.
| Position | Bulb type | Notes |
| Low beam | H7 | Projector or reflector depending on trim |
| High beam / DRL | H15 | Dual-function high beam and daytime running light |
| Front fog light | H8 | Round fogs in lower bumper |
| Front turn signal | PY21W | Amber front indicator |
| Rear turn signal | PY21W | Rear indicator |
| Tail / brake | P21/5W | Main tail and stop lamp section |
| Reverse light | W16W | Reverse lamp in inner cluster |
| Rear fog | P21W | Usually one side only |
| License plate | W5W | Two bulbs in hatch handle assembly |
| 3rd brake light | W16W | High-mounted center brake light |
| Interior dome / map | W5W | Front and rear interior lamps |
| Trunk | 38mm festoon | Side cargo lamp in hatch |
Golf Mk6 (2008–2013) halogen and early LED setups
Mk6 keeps the same basic bulb family as Mk5, but with sharper housings and more LED options on higher trims. For a typical halogen Mk6, you will see the following layout.
| Position | Bulb type | Notes |
| Low beam | H7 | Standard low beam reflector or projector |
| High beam / DRL | H15 | Shared high beam and daytime running light |
| Front fog light | H8 | Round fogs in lower bumper corners |
| Front turn signal | PY21W | Amber bulb behind clear lens |
| Rear turn signal | PY21W | Outer rear cluster |
| Tail / brake | P21/5W | Combined tail and stop lamp |
| Reverse light | W16W | Inner cluster reverse lamp |
| Rear fog | P21W | Bright rear fog function |
| License plate | W5W | Two bulbs in hatch handle |
| 3rd brake light | W16W | High-mounted center brake lamp |
| Interior dome / map | W5W | Front and rear dome lights |
| Trunk | 38mm festoon | Single cargo light in hatch |
Golf Mk7 (2012–2020) lighting overview
Mk7 introduces more factory LED options, but plenty of cars still run halogen lamps, especially in entry trims. For those, the Volkswagen Golf bulb size layout looks like this.
| Position | Bulb type | Notes |
| Low beam (halogen) | H7 | Projector low beam on halogen trims |
| High beam / DRL (halogen) | H15 | High beam plus daytime running light |
| Front fog light | H8 | Lower bumper fog lamps |
| Front turn signal | PY21W | Indicator at outer edge of headlamp |
| Rear turn signal | W21W | Outer rear cluster indicator |
| Tail / brake (halogen clusters) | P21/5W | Combined stop and tail in halogen setup |
| Reverse light | W16W | White reverse lamp |
| Rear fog | W21W | Rear fog in one side of the cluster |
| License plate | W5W | On some cars these are LED modules, check visually |
| 3rd brake light | W16W | Often integrated LED on newer years, bulb on older |
| Interior dome / map | W5W | Front and rear interior lamps |
| Trunk | 38mm festoon | Single cargo lamp in hatch |
Golf Mk8 (2019–2025) bulb sizes
Mk8 pushes harder into factory LED territory. Many trims use LED headlight modules where the “bulb” is essentially the whole unit, tied to electronics, aimed, and coded by the car. Still, some base models and markets keep halogen, and the rest of the exterior lighting often uses familiar bulb families.
| Position | Bulb type | Notes |
| Low beam (base halogen) | H7 | Used on entry-level halogen headlamps |
| High beam (base halogen) | H7 | Shared or separate reflector depending on trim |
| Front fog / cornering light | H8 | Some trims use LEDs instead, verify before ordering |
| Front turn signal | PY21W | In headlamp or bumper depending on market |
| Rear turn signal | W21W | Outer rear lamp, or LED on some trims |
| Tail / brake (halogen-style clusters) | P21/5W | Combined stop and tail on non-LED rears |
| Reverse light | W16W | White reverse lamp in inner cluster |
| Rear fog | W21W | Single rear fog in one side of the lamp |
| License plate | W5W | Often LED modules, but wedge on some trims |
| 3rd brake light | W16W | Usually full LED, bulb only on certain markets |
| Interior dome / map | W5W | Some cars use LED modules instead of bulbs |
| Trunk | 38mm festoon | Cargo area lamp, often upgraded to LED for better visibility |
With Mk. 8, especially, confirm whether your specific lamp is a replaceable bulb or a sealed LED module. The Volkswagen Golf bulb size story is pretty consistent across decades, but LED modules bend the rules and turn some work into a full lamp replacement rather than a quick bulb swap.
Common Golf lighting problems and quick wins
Across all generations, Golf owners tend to complain about the same lighting issues. Headlights feel weak, rear bulbs fail more often than expected, and CAN bus warnings pop up after LED upgrades. None of this is mysterious; it follows a simple pattern.
Older golfers suffer mostly from old reflectors and tired wiring. Even with the right H4 or H7 bulb, the output drops because the reflector coating has faded. Newer cars suffer from the opposite problem: the housings are fine, but bulb-out detection is picky, so the system throws warnings when it senses a different load from stock.
The quickest value moves usually look like this: refresh the main headlight bulbs with high-quality halogen or well-rated LEDs, bump reverse lights to bright LEDs so you can actually see while backing up, and replace license plate and interior bulbs with neutral white LEDs that sharpen the whole car’s feel. A simple sweep like that can make a fifteen-year-old Golf feel less tired at night without chasing niche slap aftermarket gimmicks.
How to choose LED upgrades that make sense
LED temptation is real. The marketing screams “4x brighter” and “plug-and-play” with a heavy urgency vibe, sometimes with zero guarantee that the beam will be safe or the dash will stay warning-free. To keep your upgrades grounded, run each decision through a short checklist.
- Match the exact Volkswagen Golf bulb size from the tables before anything else.
- Look for LED bulbs that mention CAN bus compatibility or built-in resistors for newer Golfs.
- Prioritize beam pattern reviews for H4, H7, and H15 replacements over raw lumen claims.
- Use high-quality LEDs in safety-critical positions and treat interior or license plate lights as lower-risk experiments.
If you want something simple to explore headlight options, you can start with a generic search like H7 LED bulb or, for older Mk1–Mk2 lights, H4 LED bulb. The goal is not to chase the brightest marketing claim; it is to lock in a useful balance between brightness, beam control, lifespan, and avoiding bulb-out warnings.
Step-by-step: replacing bulbs on a Golf safely
The exact access method changes from generation to generation, but the rhythm stays similar whether you are dealing with a Mk2 daily or a Mk7 TDI. Once you have picked the right Volkswagen Golf bulb size from the tables, the workflow looks like this.
Start by parking on level ground, killing the ignition, and letting the engine bay cool down so you do not cook your fingers on nearby components. Open the hood, find the back of the headlamp assembly, and locate the plastic dust cap for the bulb you want to change. Most golfers use either a twist-off cap or a flexible rubber boot.
Unplug the connector first, then release the retaining clip or twist-lock that holds the bulb in place. Pay attention to how the old bulb sits, because the new one must seat the same way to maintain a clean cutoff. Put the old bulb aside, drop the new one in without touching the glass with bare fingers, lock it in, reconnect the plug, and reinstall the cap. Test the lights before you close everything up.
For rear bulbs, the car usually gives you either a removable inner cover in the trunk or a full lamp assembly that comes off with a couple of screws. Once the cluster is out, the bulb holder pops free, and you can swap P21W, P21/5W, PY21W, or W16W bulbs as needed. Again, use the table for the exact Volkswagen Golf bulb size so you do not mix up positions or end up with a mismatched brightness pattern.
When DIY is a bad idea
There are moments when it is smarter to pay for a shop than to fight the car. Modern Golfs with advanced LED headlights, adaptive front lighting, or matrix systems tie the lamps into coding, leveling, and safety systems. Replacing those modules without proper tools can grate on your belief system and your wallet at the same time.
If your headlamp is full LED from the factory and a single section goes dark, that often means a module or the entire housing is at fault instead of a simple bulb. The same thing happens if water gets inside an LED taillight and starts causing intermittent failures. In those cases, the value play is usually to get a clear diagnosis, then decide whether you want a new OEM housing, a high-quality aftermarket one, or perhaps a salvage part with a clear history.
Use a simple mental rule. If it is a standard bulb, you can remove it by twisting and pulling, and the replacement is one of the sizes in this guide. DIY makes sense. If it looks like a sealed module with no obvious bulb, or if the housing price alone creates that “gimme my money back” feeling in your head, bring in a professional. That protects the car’s resale value and your time.
Volkswagen Golf bulb size FAQ
Which headlight bulb does my Volkswagen Golf use?
It depends on your generation. Mk1–Mk2 commonly run H4, Mk3–Mk4 typically use H7 low and H1 high, while Mk5–Mk7 halogen trims usually use H7 low and H15 high/DRL. Mk8 mixes halogen and LED modules, so check the housing and the tables above.
Can I put LED bulbs into my Golf’s halogen headlights?
You can, but the smart move is to match the exact Volkswagen Golf bulb size and choose LED bulbs with a beam pattern designed for halogen reflectors or projectors. That keeps glare under control and avoids becoming the car that blinds everyone else on the road.
Why does my Golf show a bulb-out warning after LED upgrades?
Newer Golfs monitor resistance on the circuit. Many cheap LEDs draw less power, so the car thinks the bulb failed. You need CAN-bus-compatible LEDs or an external resistor to bring the load closer to stock and clear the warning.
Are reverse light LEDs worth it?
Yes, reverse bulbs like W16W LED bulbs can massively improve rear visibility with minimal downside. The housing design usually handles the extra brightness well, and you get a nicer, cleaner white output for parking lots and tight garages.
How often should I replace my headlight bulbs?
Halogen bulbs slowly dim over time, so even if they have not failed, they may output less light in real visibility. Many owners replace H4 or H7 bulbs every two to three years as preventative maintenance, especially if they drive a lot at night. LEDs usually last longer, as long as the thermal design is decent.
Do I need to replace bulbs in pairs?
For headlights, yes, it is smart. Replacing only one H7 or H4 bulb can leave you with one fresh, bright side and one older, dim side. That looks odd and can subtly affect how you read the road at night. Treat headlight bulbs as pairs to keep the output balanced.
Can bulb size affect my car’s inspection or MOT?
Authorities care mainly about beam aim, intensity, and pattern, not the physical wording of the Volkswagen Golf bulb size. The wrong bulb size can distort the beam, create glare, or scatter light, which can trigger a fail. Using the correct size with a well-designed LED or halogen replacement keeps you in the safe zone.
Why do my rear bulbs fail more often than the front?
Rear clusters see more vibration from the suspension, moisture from trunk seals, and sometimes cheaper previous replacements. A mix of heat cycles and tiny water ingress points can shorten the lifespan. Matching the correct P21W, P21/5W, and PY21W bulbs from the tables helps you stabilize the setup and avoid chasing the same failure over and over.
Can I mix halogen and LED bulbs in the same car?
Yes. A lot of owners keep halogen in the main headlights while running LED reverse lights, plate lights, and interior bulbs. The key is symmetry: keep matching technology side to side, and always respect the bulb sizes listed for your Golf.
What is the best “bang for the buck” lighting upgrade on a Golf?
If you want a clear, simple answer with high value, upgrade the main low beams (H4 or H7, depending on generation) and the reverse lights to good LEDs, then replace old interior bulbs with fresh whites. That combination hits safety, comfort, and style at the same time without creating a huge scarcity situation in your wallet.
Once you lock in the right Volkswagen Golf bulb size for each position, the rest becomes strategy and taste – how bright you want the car to feel, how white you like the color, and how much effort you are ready to invest. The tables above give you the map. The actual upgrades are up to you.
