H7 vs. H11 - Headlights - What's the difference? | LED, HID, Halogen Bulbs

What is the difference between H7 and H11 headlight bulbs? Are H11 and H7 the same?

Last updated: August 23, 2023

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H11 and H7 are amongst the most frequently used automotive headlight bulbs.

If you're in a rush, let us save you some time - H11 and H7 are not the same bulb, you cannot replace one with the other, and neither is better than the other, they simply have different designs and fit on different vehicles and/or different beams.

H11 is the most popular bulb size commonly used in the low beam and found throughout almost every vehicle make and every vehicle type from cars and trucks to motorcycles and snowmobiles.

H7 is also quite popular and commonly used in both low and high beams throughout many German and Korean vehicles and in a variety of motorcycles.

If you've landed on this article, you are most likely trying to figure out which of the two you need, if they are the same, if you could use either, or if they are different. In the following sections, we get to the bottom of this debate in great detail.

🚧 IMPORTANT: Automotive light bulbs are vehicle-specific! If you're not sure which bulb size you need, use our Bulb Finder Tool, check your owner's manual, or contact your dealership to make sure you're buying the right bulbs to avoid fitment issues.

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Is H11 the same as H7?

Let's get one thing straight - H11 and H7 are NOT the same, they CANNOT be used interchangeably. Why? Because of a few important differences discussed in the next section.

While H7 and H11 bulbs are both used on road vehicles and can be found on similar vehicles, they each have unique features that ultimately make them very different.

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What is the difference between H11 and H7 bulbs?

The main differences between H11 and H7 are their locking tabs, their connection points to the vehicle (plug), their size, and their application:

1. Different locking tabs: H11 has a narrow three blade locking system compared to the H7, which has a wide circular collar
with grooves
2. Different plugs/connection point to the vehicle: H11 plug consist of two closely positioned pings separated by a plastic divider compared to H7, which has 2 prongs similar to a household plug
3. Different sizes: H11 is smaller than the H7 in length, height, and width
4. Application: H7 is used in low and high beams whereas H11 is mostly used in low beams

 

This means that you cannot fit or plug a H7 bulb in an H11 headlight and you cannot fit or plug an H11 bulb in a H7 headlamp.

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H11 vs H7 Connectors (Plugs)

The most vital part of any electrical product is its connector (plug). If the connector doesn't fit, you can't draw power, making your electrical product useless. Headlamp bulbs are no different.

The main difference between the two bulbs is that the H11 connector has two narrow set prongs enclosed in an oval casing compared to the H7, which has two exposed prongs similar to a household plug.

The H11 connector is also smaller compared to the H7. These differences can be observed in the image above looking at the bottom right quadrant of each bulb.

Other differences between H11 and H7

Aside from the 4 major points discussed in the previous section, these two bulbs have some other notable differences.

H7 is occasionally used as a dual-beam bulb (for both the low and high beams in one bulb). Note, however, that this is only for specific vehicles.

If your vehicle uses separate bulbs for each beam, you cannot use H7 as both the low and high beams. H11s are never used as dual-beam bulbs.

Another difference is that H7 frequently uses special retainer rings, adaptors, and clips to secure the bulb in the headlight. H11 very rarely uses such mechanisms. H11 typically twists and locks directly into the headlight assembly.

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H7 vs. H11 Comparison Summary Table

Compare all the differences and similarities between H11 and H7 side-by-side.

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Upgrading Your H11 & H7 Bulbs to LED or HID (Popular!)

Looking to upgrade your H11 or H7 bulbs with better, brighter, and more durable lighting?

At XenonPro.com, we developed LED and HID bulbs that fit right into your vehicle. With the same design and plugs, our bulbs are incredibly easy to install and will improve your light output by up to 300%.

Check out our award-winning products backed by our industry-best Lifetime Warranty:

• LED Headlight Bulbs Conversion Kit
• HID Headlight Bulbs Conversion Kit

Need help choosing? Learn about the difference between LED and HID headlight bulbs.

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Understanding the difference between H7 and H11 bulb

To further illustrate the difference between the two, let's use the analogy of a TV remote and household batteries. The most common batteries are AA and AAA batteries. Unless you've been living on a different planet, you've come across these at some point in your life.

H7 and H11 are both automotive bulb sizes just like AA and AAA are both battery sizes. Now, if your TV remote uses AAA batteries (the smaller ones), you know that you cannot use AA batteries. AA batteries are bigger and they simply won't fit in the TV remote's battery slot.

By that same token, inserting H11 bulbs in a H7 slot (or vice versa) will not work. The bulb will not fit inside the assembly, it won't lock into place, and because of the different plugs, you will not be able to connect it to your vehicle's harness.

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Comparing H7 and H11 Headlight Bulbs

Durability (Lifespan)

There is a lot of bad information out there on this topic saying that H7 lasts longer than H11 - this is simply false. All headlamp and fog light bulbs of the same quality will have approximately the same lifespan.

When it comes to bulbs, lifespan is measured in lighting hours. Standard replacement halogen bulbs can last as little as 180 hours while higher quality halogen bulbs can go up to 500 hours or so. Premium LED or HID bulb upgrades such as ours can last well over 10,000 hours.

Another consideration is the beam in which the bulb is used. For instance, if an H11 is used in the low beams (dims) and H7 in the high beams (brights), the H7 will logically outlast the H11.

This isn't because the H7 is better or has a longer lifespan, it's because most drivers never use their brights and those who do seldom use them for very short periods when necessary. A recent study by the IIHS found that as little as 9% of vehicles used high beams. So, perspective matters!

Technology (Halogen, LED & HID)

Both H11 and H7 are available in a variety of lighting technologies. From the factory, these bulbs always come in standard halogen but they can both be upgraded to LED or HID using what is commonly known as conversion kits.

For more information on halogen to LED conversion kits and halogen to HID conversion kits, check out our popular post Can I Put LED or HID Bulbs in My Stock Headlights?

Brightness

Brightness depends on the quality of the bulb and the wattage. An H11 and an H7 bulb will emit the same amount of light if they are the same quality, same technology (halogen, HID, LED), and have the same wattage.

Looking at standard replacements, both are rated 55 watts and thus, they should technically produce the same amount of light.

Another consideration is the beam in which the bulb is used. Assuming both bulbs have the same quality, technology, and wattage, a bulb positioned in the high beams (brights) will appear to produce more light. This is simply because of the angle of the bulb and light, not because the bulb is brighter than its low-beam counterpart. You can learn more on this topic here.

Wattage

Standard H11 and H7 bulbs are both 55 watts despite the fact that H7 is regularly found in high beams.

Voltage

Both H11 and H7 are rated 12 volts. Most automotive headlights and fog light bulbs are 12V.

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How to make a H7 fit in an H11 headlight?

If you've been reading along, you will already know the answer to this question. You cannot fit an H7 into an H11 headlight. You also cannot fit an H11 into a H7 headlight.

As explained in previous sections, each bulb has its unique locking tabs, plugs, and size which make them incompatible and not interchangeable.

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H11 vs. H7 LED Headlight Bulbs

If you've been reading along, you already know that the only difference between the two will be the locking tabs, the plugs, and the dimensions of the bulb.

When it comes to upgrading your H11 and/or H7 bulbs from halogen to LED there is not much of a difference. Each bulb size is available in the same range of wattages and colors, and the installation processes are identical.

One note on H7s, however, is that some German cars may have retainer rings, clips, or other mechanisms that hold the bulb in place. This might make it slightly more difficult and at times impossible to use an LED bulb as these mechanisms may interfere with the LED fan.

Here at XenonPro, we offer both bulb sizes in 25-, 35-, and 45-watt options and in 4 color options (white, yellow, blue, and purple). You can check them out below:

• H11 LED Headlight Bulb Upgrade
• H11 LED Headlight Bulb Upgrade

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H11 vs. H7 Xenon HID Headlight Bulbs

Similarly to LED, when upgrading your H11 and/or H7 bulbs from halogen to HID there is not much of a difference. Each bulb size is available in the same range of wattages and colors, and the installation processes are the same.

At XenonPro, we offer both bulb sizes in 35-watt and 55-watt in 7 color options ranging from yellow to white to purple. You can check them out below:

• H11 Xenon HID Conversion Kit
• H11 Xenon HID Conversion Kit

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Frequently Asked Questions:

H11 is the same as what bulb? H7 is the same as what bulb? Which cars use H11? Which cars use H7? Can I use H7 instead of H11? Can I use H11 instead of H7? Is H7 Brighter than H11? Is H11 Brighter than H7? Is H7 Better than H11? Is H11 Better than H7?

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Sources:

• XenonPro.com Research
• Hella Lighting
• Sylvania Automotive
• Philips Automotive (USA)
• IIHS - High beam headlamp use rates: effects of rurality, proximity of other traffic, and roadway curvature

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Disclaimer: The information contained on this page is provided free of charge to our visitors. It was prepared to the best of our abilities and with all the information available to us at the time of writing. We reserve the right to change, remove, or update any information contained on this page at any time and without notice to improve its accuracy. The most reliable method to determine the bulb size is by pulling your actual bulb(s) and reading the part number indicated directly on the bulb. The information compiled on this page comes with no guarantees or warranties.