H9 vs. H11 Headlights - What's the difference? | LED, HID, Halogen Bulbs

What is the difference between H9 and H11 headlight bulbs? Are H11 and H9 the same?

Last updated: August 23, 2023

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H9 and H11 are the most popular automotive headlight bulbs used mainly as low or high-beam bulbs across a variety of vehicles including cars, trucks, motorcycles, and in some cases, semi-trucks.

Your parts store recommended you get H11 but when you go to pull your bulb, you see H9 printed at the back - don't worry, it's perfectly normal!

If you're in a rush, let us save you some time - H9 and H11 are the same bulb and can be used interchangeably. The only difference between is two is their default wattage as a result of their position in the headlight.

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 H9 the same as H11?

Yes, H9 and H11 are the same bulbs they just carry different part numbers, positions, and default wattages for standard halogen bulb replacements.

Aside from these minor differences, H9 and H11 are identical on every other front from size and shape to locking tabs and connectors.

As a matter of fact, H9 and H11 are also the same H8 and H16 (the L-shaped version) as you can see in our Headlight Bulb Cross Reference Guide.

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What's the difference between H11 and H9 bulbs?

The only difference between H9 and H11 are their reference number, their position, and their wattage in replacement halogen bulbs.

H11 is the most common of the two, using 55 watts, and is found in low beams while H9 is found in high beams and uses 65 watts. H11 is occasionally used in fog lights as well.

The wattage difference is irrelevant when looking at LED or Xenon HID bulbs as explained in the sections below.

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H9 vs H11 Connectors (Plugs)

H9 and H11 have the same connector since they are the same bulb with the same plug. As pictured above, it consists of two narrow-set prongs enclosed in a plastic oval casing with a plastic divider at the center and two tabs on either end of the casing.

So, can you plug an H9 into and H11 or plug an H11 into an H9? The answer is yes.

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H9 vs. H11 Comparison Summary Table

H11 and H9 are the same bulbs with a few minor differences. Compare them side-by-side using our table below.

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Upgrading Your H9 and H11 to LED or HID (Popular!)

Looking to upgrade your H9 or H11 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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Comparing H11 and H9 Headlight Bulbs

Durability (Lifespan)

There is a lot of bad information out there on this topic saying that H9 lasts longer than H11 - this is simply false. All headlight 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 H9 in the high beams (brights), the H9 will logically outlast the H11.

This isn't because the H9 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 only 9-18% of vehicles used high beams. So, perspective matters!

Technology (Halogen, LED & HID)

Both H11 and H9 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 H9 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, the H9 will technically produce more light because it has a higher default wattage (65W) compared to the H11 (55W) but it won't be significant.

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 bulbs are 55 watts whereas standard H9 bulbs are 65 watts. The H9 comes in a higher wattage because they are used in high beams.

Voltage

Both H11 and H9 are rated 12 volts. Most automotive headlights and fog light bulbs are 12V.

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H9 vs. H11 LED Headlight Bulbs

If you've been reading along, you already know that the only difference between the two is the way the bulb is named and where they are commonly found on a vehicle.

When it comes to upgrading your H9 or H11 bulbs from halogen to LED there is also no difference. The bulb is available in the same range of wattages and colors, and the installation processes are identical.

For example, here at XenonPro, we offer the H9 and H11 bulb sizes in 25-, 35-, and 45-watt options and in 4 color options (white, yellow, blue, and purple). While we showcase both bulbs individually, they are not different. You can check them out below.

• H11 LED Headlight Bulb Upgrade
• H9 LED Headlight Bulb Upgrade

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H9 vs. H11 Xenon HID Headlight Bulbs

Similarly to LED, when upgrading your H9 or H11 bulb from halogen to HID there is no 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 H9 or H11 in 35-watt and 55-watt in 7 color options ranging from yellow to white to purple. Although we showcase both bulbs individually, they are not different. You can check them out below.

• H11 Xenon HID Conversion Kit
• H9 Xenon HID Conversion Kit

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Frequently Asked Questions:

Which cars use H11? Which cars use H9? Can I use H9 instead of H11? Can I use H11 instead of H9? Is H11 Brighter than H9? Is H9 Brighter than H11? Is H9 Better than H11? Is H11 Better than H9?

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Sources:

• XenonPro.com Research
• 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.