Are 9005 and 9006 Headlight Bulbs Interchangeable?

Short answer: No, 9005 and 9006 headlight bulbs are not interchangeable. Osram lists the 9005 (HB3) at 60 W on a P20d base and the 9006 (HB4) at 51 W on a P22d base, so they are different bulbs with different sockets. On most vehicles the 9005 is the high beam and the 9006 is the low beam, but the owner’s manual and the HB mark on the lens decide.

Key takeaways

• 9005 is the US trade name for HB3, and 9006 is the US trade name for HB4.
• Osram lists different bases: P20d for the 9005 and P22d for the 9006.
• Osram lists 60 W and 1700 lm for the halogen 9005, and 51 W and 1000 lm for the halogen 9006.
• Retail guides disagree on wattage and tab layout, so rely on manufacturer data and the vehicle, not on forum posts.
• List LED bulbs per socket; a model that covers both sockets still ships as two versions.

Are 9005 and 9006 headlight bulbs interchangeable?

No, 9005 and 9006 bulbs are not interchangeable. They have different base codes, different rated power and different typical jobs on the vehicle.

• Different bases: Osram’s catalog lists the ORIGINAL LINE HB3 (global order reference 9005) on a P20d base and the HB4 (reference 9006) on a P22d base (Osram HB3, Osram HB4).
• Different power: PIAA’s cross-reference lists HB3 (US trade number 9005) at 60 W and HB4 (US trade number 9006) at 51 W, and tells buyers to always check wattage before substituting (PIAA cross-reference).
• Different lens mark: On a US-market lamp, FMVSS No. 108 requires the lens to carry the HB type in front of each replaceable light source, so look for HB3 or HB4 (49 CFR 571.108).
• Modified bases: Some web guides describe trimming a base to force a fit. Do not sell or recommend that; it can leave the light source in the wrong position and change the beam.

What is the difference between 9005 and 9006?

The main differences are the base, the rated power and the usual beam position. The table uses manufacturer figures for the halogen bulbs.

Item	9005 (HB3)	9006 (HB4)
Nominal power (Osram ORIGINAL LINE)	60 W	51 W
Maximum power input (Osram)	73 W	62 W
Nominal luminous flux (Osram)	1700 lm (±12 %)	1000 lm (±15 %)
Base (Osram)	P20d	P22d
ECE category (Osram)	HB3	HB4
Stock power draw (PIAA)	12 V: 60 W	12 V: 51 W
Usual beam position	High beam on most vehicles	Low beam or fog light on most vehicles

The last row is a common pattern, not a rule. Osram’s pages say only “halogen headlight lamp” and do not name a beam, and some vehicles use the sockets differently. Read the owner’s manual.

Why do online guides disagree about 9005 and 9006?

Online guides disagree because many repeat each other and mix up halogen types, regions and dated catalog figures. For example, retail blogs give the 9005 as 55 W, 60 W or 65 W.

• Wattage: Osram and PIAA give 60 W for the 9005 and 51 W for the 9006. Other pages round to 65 W and 55 W or quote different catalog editions.
• Tab layout: Some guides give different locking-tab angles. This article does not repeat them because no manufacturer page we opened states tab angles.
• Lifespan and lumens: Figures vary by bulb family. Osram’s page lists values for its own ORIGINAL LINE lamp only; other brands differ.

The safe rule is to take specs from the manufacturer of the exact bulb, and to match the bulb number printed on the old bulb and the lens.

Can you use a 9005 LED bulb in a 9006 socket, or the reverse?

No, an LED bulb sold for one socket should not be assumed to fit the other. Check the socket the product page names before you list a fit.

• Same chips, two versions: Many LED models are sold as separate 9005 and 9006 versions with different bases, even when they share one product page. S01, for example, lists a 9005 / 9006 / 9012 version at 6000LM and 65W per pair, 9-18V.
• Beam position: A bulb made for a high-beam socket is not automatically right for a low-beam lamp. The light source has to sit where the filament sat, or the beam pattern changes.
• Heat: PIAA notes that a 9005 halogen runs too hot in an H10 socket, which is a reminder that wattage matters when a bulb is moved to a different lamp.
• Do not splice: Never cut or modify the vehicle connector to make a bulb fit.

For a longer guide to the high-beam bulb, see our 9005 LED headlight bulb guide. For the wider bulb family, see H7 vs 9005 vs H11 explained.

How do you tell whether a car needs a 9005 or a 9006?

Read the bulb number on the old bulb, the owner’s manual, or the HB mark on the headlamp lens.

1. Check the manual: Look up the bulb type for the exact position, high beam, low beam or fog.
2. Read the old bulb: The number is printed on the base or the glass; 9005 and HB3 are the same bulb, and so are 9006 and HB4.
3. Check the lens: On US-market headlamps, find the HB3 or HB4 mark in front of the light source.
4. Match the position: Do not assume the left and right sides, or the high and low beams, use the same number.

What should distributors stock for 9005 and 9006?

Stock the two sockets as separate SKUs, and print the socket on the color box, the listing and the carton.

• Separate listings: Do not write “9005/9006” as one fit. Create one SKU per socket, even when the same model covers both.
• Compact fit: Z2S lists 3300LM at 33W-20W per set, 6-32V, Canbus-ready and no polarity, with 9005 and 9006 among its listed single-beam sockets.
• Mainstream cars: V25 lists 8000LM at 75W-50W per set, 9-32V and Canbus-ready, with 9005 and 9006 among its listed sockets.
• Cars and trucks: V28 lists 9-60V and 6000LM at 65W-52W per set, so one model serves 12V and 24V vehicles.
• High output: X02 lists 20000LM at 200W per pair, 9-60V, with 9005 and 9006 among its listed single-beam sockets. It needs room and cooling, so expect more fitment questions.

The most common return is a bulb ordered for the wrong socket. A clear socket label on the box prevents most of them.

How TUHO supplies this category

TUHO Lighting is an automotive LED lamp manufacturer in Dongguan, Guangdong, and it lists 14 models in its 9006 LED headlight bulbs category and 14 in its 9005 category.

• OEM and ODM: TUHO supports OEM and ODM projects; see the OEM/ODM page for the order process.
• Custom branding: Custom logo, color box and outer carton are supported.
• Mixed orders: Small batches and mixed-SKU orders are supported, which suits sellers who stock both sockets.
• Lead time: Delivery is usually arranged within 1-10 working days, depending on quantity. Minimum quantities and prices are confirmed per order.
• Quality steps: TUHO’s quality-control process includes burn-in testing, lumen testing and waterproof testing, among 12 steps.

Sourcing 9005 and 9006 LED headlight bulbs for your range? Send us your sockets, vehicle markets and target quantity. TUHO can quote OEM/ODM orders with custom logo and packaging, mixed SKUs, and samples for testing. Request a quote

FAQ

Is 9005 the same as HB3?

Yes, 9005 and HB3 are two names for the same bulb. PIAA lists HB3 with the US trade number 9005, and Osram lists its HB3 under the global order reference 9005.

Is 9006 the same as HB4?

Yes, 9006 and HB4 are two names for the same bulb. PIAA lists HB4 with the US trade number 9006, and Osram lists its HB4 under the global order reference 9006.

Can I use a 9005 bulb for low beam?

You should not swap a 9005 into a 9006 low-beam socket. The bases differ and the beam pattern depends on the light source sitting where the original did, so use the bulb the vehicle manual names.

Which is brighter, the 9005 or the 9006?

The halogen 9005 is rated brighter than the halogen 9006. Osram lists 1700 lm for its HB3 and 1000 lm for its HB4, which is a difference in rated power and design, not a reason to swap them.

Do 9005 and 9006 LED bulbs use the same plug?

Do not assume 9005 and 9006 LED bulbs use the same base. Confirm the socket on the product page and with the supplier, and ask for a sample to test in the vehicle.

Bottom line: A 9005 (HB3) and a 9006 (HB4) are different bulbs, so keep them as separate SKUs and never promise that one fits the other. Check the bulb number, the lens mark and the owner’s manual, and take specs from the bulb maker, not from forum posts.

Editorial note: Halogen figures come from Osram’s ORIGINAL LINE HB3 and HB4 catalog pages and PIAA’s cross-reference page, both read on 22 October 2026, and the lens-marking rule from the eCFR text of 49 CFR 571.108. TUHO model figures were read from the live product pages on 26 October 2026 and are catalog values, not independent test results. This article does not say that any bulb meets DOT, ECE or any other approval; required documents are confirmed per model and per order.