Most halogen-equipped Chevy and GMC full-size trucks and SUVs use an H11 low beam and a 9005 high beam, with 7443 front turn signals, 921 reverse bulbs and 194-family license plate bulbs. The exceptions are the ones that cost you money — a 2014–2018 Sierra 1500 uses a single 9012 dual-beam bulb, and HID and factory-LED trims have no replaceable bulb at all.
That is why every bulb chart you find online disagrees with the next one. Vendor charts are built per trim and then published as if they cover the whole model. Below is a chart that says which entries are verified, which are trim-dependent, and how to settle it in ninety seconds at your own truck. When you are ready to order, filter headlight, fog and tail bulbs for your GM truck or SUV by the number you confirmed, not the one you assumed.
Parts and tools you'll need
- Headlight, fog light and tail light bulbs
- GM electrical and ignition parts for sockets, pigtails and connectors
- General automotive parts and accessories
- Nitrile gloves, a flashlight, and a phone camera to photograph the bulb base before you order
How do you find the right bulb size for your GM vehicle?
Three ways, in order of reliability: pull the bulb and read the number molded into its base, check the bulb replacement table in your owner's manual, or match the connector shape against a chart. The first method is the only one that cannot be wrong, because it accounts for trim level, mid-cycle changes and any previous owner's substitutions.
Reading the base takes about a minute per bulb. Every halogen capsule has a trade number stamped or molded into the plastic base — H11, 9005, 9012, PS24W and so on. Small wedge bulbs have the number printed on the glass or on the metal base. Photograph it before you put anything back together.
The owner's manual method is nearly as good and does not require tools. GM owner's manuals include a bulb replacement section with a table of positions and bulb numbers. It is specific to your build. If you do not have the paper book, the same manual is downloadable for your model year.
The chart method is fastest and the least reliable, which is exactly the trap this category sets. Use it to narrow the field, then confirm.
Why do bulb charts disagree with each other?
Because they are usually written from one trim's parts list. The same model year Silverado 1500 was sold with halogen reflector headlamps on some trims and a sealed HID or LED assembly on others. A chart built from an HID truck lists a D-series capsule and reports no fog lights. A chart built from a work truck lists H11 and 9005. Both are correct for one truck and wrong for the other.
Run the same search yourself and you can watch it happen. For the identical 2016–2018 Silverado 1500, one lighting vendor publishes D3S and another publishes D5S. Those are different bulbs with different bases and different ballast requirements. One of them is wrong, and neither chart tells you which trim it was written from.
There is a second cause: mid-generation changes. Fog light bulbs in particular changed within model runs on GM SUVs. A chart that lumps 2015 through 2020 into one row will be wrong for at least one of those years.
The practical takeaway is not to distrust every chart. It is to treat a chart as a shortlist and your own bulb base as the answer.
What are the verified bulb sizes for GM trucks and SUVs?
The table below lists headlight and fog positions that cross-check across independent sources, and flags the entries that depend on trim or model year. Anything marked verify is not a gap in the research — it is a position where GM genuinely used more than one part, and a single number would be misleading.
| Vehicle | Years / equipment | Low beam | High beam | Fog | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 2014–2018, halogen headlamps | H11 | 9005 | PS24W (cross-referenced as 5202) | Separate high and low beam bulbs |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 2014–2018, HID headlamps | Sealed HID capsule — verify the D-number at the bulb | PS24W | Published charts disagree on the D-number; do not order from a chart | |
| GMC Sierra 1500 | 2014–2018, halogen headlamps | 9012 (HIR2) — one dual-beam bulb | PS24W | Not the same as a Silverado. This is the single most common mis-order in GM lighting. | |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 2019–2026, halogen headlamps | H11 | 9005 | Verify — many trims are factory LED | HID trims use a sealed capsule; LED trims have no serviceable bulb |
| Chevrolet Tahoe / Suburban | 2015–2020, halogen headlamps | H11 | 9005 | Changed within this range — verify by year | HID trims use a D-series capsule instead of H11 |
| Chevrolet Tahoe / Suburban, GMC Yukon | 2021 and newer | Predominantly sealed LED assemblies | No replaceable headlight bulb on LED-equipped trims | ||
| Buick and Cadillac crossovers | All recent years | Verify at the vehicle | Heavy use of factory LED and projector assemblies; charts are unreliable here | ||
Two rows in that table deserve emphasis. The Sierra row is the reason people end up with a pair of H11 bulbs and a truck that does not use them: GMC and Chevrolet used different headlamp architectures on the same platform in the same years. Badge is not fitment.
The 2021-and-newer row is the other one. On a vehicle with factory LED headlamps there is no bulb to replace. If an LED module fails, the repair is the assembly or the module, not a bulb, and no amount of chart-reading will change that. Check whether you actually have a serviceable bulb before you shop for one.
One more year to be careful with: 2019. GM sold two Silverado and Sierra generations side by side that year — the carryover trucks were badged Silverado 1500 LD and Sierra 1500 Limited. An LD takes previous-generation lighting parts, so a 2019 on the title tells you nothing on its own. If yours has the older dashboard, treat it as a 2014–2018 truck.
Which bulbs do the rear and small positions use?
GM has been unusually consistent here. Across most trucks and SUVs of the last decade, the front turn and park position uses a 7443, rear turn and stop uses a 7443 or 7444, reverse and center high-mount stop use a 921, and license plate and side markers use a 194-family wedge bulb. Confirm at your vehicle, but these vary far less than headlights.
| Position | Typical bulb | Filament type | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front turn / park | 7443 | Dual filament | Amber-coated versions exist; match the color of what came out |
| Rear turn / stop / tail | 7443 or 7444 | Dual filament | 7440 is the single-filament version and will not do both jobs |
| Reverse / backup | 921 | Single filament | Also listed as W16W in GM parts data |
| Center high-mount stop | 921 | Single filament | Some are 912; same base, lower wattage |
| License plate | 194 family | Single filament wedge | Also listed as W5W or 168 depending on the catalog |
| Side marker | 194 family | Single filament wedge | Same base as license plate in most applications |
| Cargo lamp | 921 | Single filament | Often the first bulb to fail on a work truck |
Are H11, H8 and H9 interchangeable? What about 7440 and 7443?
They are related, not identical. H8, H9 and H11 share a family and a similar base, but they differ in wattage and keying and are not universally drop-in. 7440 and 7443 share a base, but the 7443 has two filaments and the 7440 has one — putting a 7440 where a 7443 belongs kills one function.
The dual-filament distinction is the one that actually strands people. A tail lamp that serves as both running light and brake light needs two filaments and two circuits. Install a single-filament bulb and it will light up, look fine in the driveway, and simply not brighten when you press the brake pedal. You will not notice. The driver behind you will.
The 921 and 912 pair is less critical. Same wedge base, different wattage. A 912 in a 921 socket works and is slightly dimmer. That is a real case where the cheaper part is fine.
The 194, 168 and W5W numbers cover essentially the same miniature wedge bulb across different cataloging conventions. GM parts data tends to use W5W; the US aftermarket usually says 194. If a chart gives you one and the box says the other, you are almost certainly fine.
Should you put LED bulbs in a halogen housing?
Understand what you are buying first. A replaceable LED bulb installed in a headlamp housing that was designed and certified around a halogen filament is not a DOT-compliant configuration for on-road use in the US, which is why those bulbs are almost always sold marked for off-road use. That is a legal fact, not an opinion about brightness.
The physics matter too. A halogen reflector is a mirror shaped around the exact position and geometry of a filament. An LED emitter does not sit where the filament sat and does not radiate the same way. The reflector scatters that light instead of focusing it, which produces more glare for oncoming traffic and frequently less usable light down the road, even though the bulb measures higher in raw lumens.
Projector housings tolerate the swap better than reflector housings because the lens does more of the work. Fog lights are the most forgiving position of all — the beam pattern is short and wide and less dependent on precise emitter placement.
If you want more light from a halogen truck and want to stay legal, the ordered list is: clean or restore the lens, replace both bulbs with fresh high-output halogens rated for the position, verify aim, and only then consider a full housing replacement that is certified as an assembly. Aim is the step everyone skips and it changes more than the bulb does.
If you are going ahead with a conversion anyway, our guide to LED headlight conversion on GM vehicles covers the CANbus lamp-outage warnings, the DRL flicker caused by pulse-width modulation, and how to aim the result.
Safety note: aim your headlamps after any headlight work. A correctly aimed 55-watt halogen lights the road better than a badly aimed high-output bulb and does not blind the person coming the other way.
How do you replace a bulb without ruining it?
- Turn the vehicle off and let the housing cool. Halogen capsules run hot enough to burn.
- Open the hood and locate the back of the headlamp housing. On many GM trucks the air box or washer bottle blocks one side and comes out with two fasteners.
- Twist the dust cap counterclockwise and remove it. Keep track of it; a missing cap lets moisture into the housing.
- Unplug the connector from the bulb before you rotate anything. Pulling on the wires is how sockets break.
- Rotate the bulb counterclockwise about a quarter turn and withdraw it straight back.
- Read and photograph the number molded into the base. This is your order confirmation.
- Handle the new capsule by the base only. Skin oil on the quartz creates a hot spot that shortens bulb life considerably. Wear nitrile gloves.
- Seat the new bulb, rotate clockwise until it locks, and reconnect the plug.
- Reinstall the dust cap and confirm it seals all the way around.
- Test low beam, high beam and flash-to-pass before you close the hood.
- Replace bulbs in pairs. A new bulb next to a five-year-old bulb gives you two different color temperatures and one side that looks dim.
- Check aim against a wall at a measured distance, or have it set properly if the beam pattern looks off.
What does not fit
- Silverado 1500 headlight bulbs do not carry over to a Sierra 1500 of the same years. Different beam architecture.
- A 7440 will not do the job of a 7443. Single filament versus dual filament.
- Halogen capsules do not fit HID housings, and HID capsules require a ballast that a halogen truck does not have.
- Nothing fits a sealed factory LED headlamp assembly. There is no bulb.
- Fog bulb numbers changed within model runs on GM SUVs. A number that fits a 2015 may not fit a 2018 of the same model.
- Bulb charts written for one trim do not describe the other trims of that model year.
What to check before you order
- The number molded into the base of the bulb you removed.
- Whether your headlamps are halogen, HID or factory LED.
- Your exact model year, not a range someone published.
- Whether your vehicle actually has factory fog lights — several trims do not.
- Whether the position needs a single-filament or dual-filament bulb.
- The color of the original bulb in turn signal positions, amber or clear.
- Whether you are ordering a pair. Always order a pair.
- Whether an LED conversion is legal and appropriate for that housing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What headlight bulb does a Chevy Silverado use?
On 2014–2018 halogen trucks, H11 low beam and 9005 high beam, with PS24W fog bulbs. On 2019 and newer halogen trims, still H11 and 9005 — but many trims are factory LED with no serviceable bulb, and HID trims use a sealed capsule. Confirm which headlamp type you have before ordering.
Do Silverado and Sierra use the same headlight bulbs?
No, and this is the single most common mis-order in GM lighting. The 2014–2018 Sierra 1500 uses a single 9012 (HIR2) dual-beam bulb, while the equivalent Silverado uses separate H11 and 9005 bulbs. Same platform, same years, different headlamp architecture. Badge is not fitment.
Why do bulb charts give different answers for my truck?
Because they are usually written from one trim's parts list and published as if they cover the whole model. For the same 2016–2018 Silverado 1500, one vendor publishes D3S and another D5S — different bulbs with different bases and ballast requirements. One is wrong, and neither says which trim it came from.
Is a 7440 the same as a 7443?
No. They share a base, but the 7443 has two filaments and the 7440 has one. Fit a 7440 where a 7443 belongs and the lamp will light up, look fine in the driveway, and simply not brighten when you brake. You will not notice; the driver behind you will.
Are H11, H8 and H9 interchangeable?
Related but not identical. They share a family and a similar base but differ in wattage and keying, so they are not universally drop-in. Match the number moulded into the base of the bulb you removed rather than assuming the family is interchangeable.
What bulb do the reverse and licence plate lights take?
Reverse, centre high-mount stop and cargo lamps typically use a 921 (listed as W16W in GM parts data). Licence plate and side markers use a 194-family wedge, also catalogued as W5W or 168. These rear and small positions vary far less across GM than headlights do.
My truck has LED headlights. Which bulb do I buy?
None — there is no bulb. Factory LED headlamps are sealed assemblies, so a failure means replacing the assembly or the module. Check whether you actually have a serviceable bulb before shopping for one, especially on 2021-and-newer Tahoe, Suburban and Yukon.
Are LED conversion bulbs legal in halogen headlights?
Not for on-road use in the US. A housing certified around a halogen filament is not DOT-compliant with an LED bulb in it, which is why those bulbs are almost always sold marked for off-road use. The reflector also scatters rather than focuses that light, producing glare and often less usable light down the road.
Should I replace headlight bulbs in pairs?
Yes. A new bulb next to a five-year-old one gives you two different colour temperatures and one side that looks dim. Handle new capsules by the base only — skin oil on the quartz creates a hot spot that shortens bulb life considerably.
My 2019 Silverado — which bulbs does it take?
Depends which 2019 you have. GM sold two generations side by side; the carryover trucks were badged Silverado 1500 LD and Sierra 1500 Limited and take previous-generation lighting parts. If yours has the older dashboard, treat it as a 2014–2018 truck.
A Note on Sourcing
Entries in the chart marked verify are not gaps in the research. They are positions where GM genuinely used more than one part across trims or model years, and publishing a single number would be misleading. The disagreement between vendor charts on the 2016–2018 Silverado HID capsule — D3S in one, D5S in another — is a live example of what happens when a chart is written from one trim and published as if it covers the model.
The number moulded into the base of the bulb in your own vehicle outranks every chart, including this one. It accounts for trim, mid-cycle changes and any substitution a previous owner made.
The legal position on LED conversion bulbs reflects FMVSS 108, under which a headlamp assembly is certified as a system with a specified light source. That is why conversion bulbs are almost universally sold marked for off-road use.
Rear and small-position bulb numbers vary far less than headlights and cross-reference cleanly between cataloguing conventions — 194, 168 and W5W describe essentially the same wedge bulb.
Will this bulb fit your vehicle?
Check your year, model, trim and headlamp type before you order. Halogen, HID and factory-LED versions of the same vehicle take completely different parts, and Chevrolet and GMC versions of the same platform do not always match. Pull the bulb, read the base, then filter headlight, fog and tail bulbs to that number. Sockets, pigtails and connectors are in GM electrical and ignition parts, and there is more model-specific guidance in our GM parts and accessories guides.