Front fog light bulb types: H8, H11, HB4 and H16 explained

Which fog light bulb type does my car use?

Of the 360 UK car generations we've verified, these are the front fog entries. Not every car has front fogs, so the counts don't add up to 360.

A few cars sit outside these groups. In our data the Kia Sportage QL uses an H27/1 (also sold as 880), the Vauxhall Corsa E an H10, and the Vauxhall Corsa D is listed as H3 or H10 depending on the version. That is a reminder to check your exact generation and trim.

What's the difference between H8 and H11?

Both are single-filament halogen bulbs with an L-shaped plastic base. The differences are power and keying:

• H11 is 55 W with a PGJ19-2 base.
• H8 is 35 W with a PGJ19-1 base.
• H16 is 19 W with a PGJ19-3 base.

The number after "PGJ19" tells you the tab layout. Each one is keyed so it only seats properly in the matching lamp.

Can I put an H11 in an H8 fog light?

You shouldn't. Some people file the tabs to make an H11 fit an H8 lamp, but that defeats the keying for a reason. An H11 uses 55 W against the H8's 35 W, so it runs hotter in a lamp, connector and wiring designed for less. A bulb that doesn't seat on its proper tabs can also sit at the wrong angle, which throws the fog beam out of position.

The same logic applies in reverse: an H8 forced into an H11 lamp will give a weaker, possibly misaimed beam. Fit the code your car's page lists.

Where is the HB4 fog bulb used?

HB4 (also sold as 9006) is a 51 W single-filament bulb with a P22d base, a different design from the PGJ19 family. In our data it appears on 22 generations, including the VW Transporter T5.

HB4 is easily confused with the HB3 (9005), a 60 W bulb used for main beam on 25 of the generations we've verified, but the bases are different (P20d against P22d) and they aren't interchangeable.

What is an H16 bulb?

H16 is a low-power 19 W bulb with a PGJ19-3 base. Its low wattage suits fog lights designed around it, and in our data it appears on 15 generations, including the Toyota Yaris XP130.

Because it shares the PGJ19 family with H8 and H11, the H16 is the one most often mixed up with them. Check the code before you buy.

Why does my car's page show no fog bulb?

Front fog lights are optional equipment. Many cars only have them on higher trims, and some generations don't offer them at all. If your car has a blanking plate where a fog lamp would be, there is no fog bulb to buy.

Where our page shows a dash for the fog position, either the car doesn't have front fogs as standard or we haven't yet verified that position. The Skoda Octavia Mk3 is an example where we don't list a front fog bulb. Your handbook's bulb table will confirm what your car has.

Rear fog lights are a different matter: they are required and checked at the MOT on cars first used from 1 April 1980. See when to use rear fog lights.

When can I use front fog lights?

The Highway Code rules are the same as for rear fogs. Rule 226 says you may use fog lights when visibility is seriously reduced, generally when you can't see for more than 100 metres, and must switch them off when visibility improves. Rule 236 says not to use them otherwise, because they dazzle. The full text is in the Highway Code.

Are fog lights the same as headlight bulbs?

Sometimes the code is shared. The H11, for instance, also appears as a dipped beam on 20 of the generations we've verified, including the Nissan Qashqai J11, which uses H11 for both its dipped beam and its fogs. Most cars use different bulbs for headlights and fogs, though. Our guide to H7, H4 and H1 headlight bulbs covers the headlamp side.

If your car has xenon or LED headlights, the fog lights may still be halogen. Our guide on how to tell halogen, xenon and LED headlights apart explains how to check.

Check your car

Each page lists the front fog bulb for that generation, with the source we checked against:

• Ford Fiesta Mk7 bulbs — H11
• Nissan Qashqai J11 bulbs — H11
• VW Polo 6R/6C bulbs — H8
• BMW 3 Series F30 bulbs — H8
• VW Transporter T5 bulbs — HB4
• Toyota Yaris XP130 bulbs — H16

Values can split by facelift or trim; the car page shows any split. Not listed? Browse all bulb pages.

Common questions

Are H8 and H11 bulbs interchangeable?

No. They share the PGJ19 base family but are keyed differently and have different wattages: H8 is 35 W, H11 is 55 W. Fit the one your car's page or handbook lists.

Should I replace fog light bulbs in pairs?

It helps. Two fog bulbs of different ages can look different in colour and brightness, and the remaining one has done the same hours. Our guide on replacing bulbs in pairs explains the reasoning.

Do front fog lights have to work for the MOT?

Front fog lamps aren't in the list of lamps every MOT checks, which covers headlamps, sidelights, indicators and hazard lights, brake lights, the rear fog lamp, number plate lamps and rear reflectors. Check the MOT inspection manual for the current wording.

Can I fit LED bulbs in my fog lights?

The MOT rule on LED conversions in section 4.1.4 covers headlamps. For fog lamps, read the inspection manual yourself rather than relying on a seller's description, and remember that a bulb drawing less current can trigger a bulb warning on some cars.

Checked against our verification rules. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.