What Size Bulbs Are in the Audi A5?

Audi A5 bulb sizes vary by model year, body style, and whether the car is equipped with halogen, xenon (HID), or LED lighting; most modern A5 models use integrated LED units for headlights and many exterior lights, while older models (especially 2008–2016) use conventional replaceable bulbs such as H7, D3S/D5S, H11, PY21W, W21W, and W5W. Below is a detailed breakdown by generation and lighting type, plus guidance on how to confirm the correct fit for your specific vehicle.

Contents

A Quick Overview: Why Bulb Size Depends on Your Specific A5
Main Generations of the Audi A5 and Lighting Types
Second Generation (8W6 Coupé / 8W7 Sportback / F5 Cabriolet): 2017–Present
How to Confirm the Correct Bulb Size for Your Specific A5
Typical Bulb Size References by Era (Indicative, Not Exhaustive)
Summary

A Quick Overview: Why Bulb Size Depends on Your Specific A5

The Audi A5 has been produced across several generations (8T/8F, 8W6/8W7) with numerous facelifts and trim changes. During this time, Audi progressively moved from halogen and xenon setups to full LED and matrix LED systems. As a result, there is no single “Audi A5 bulb size” — instead, there are typical patterns by generation and headlight type, with many later-model lamps using sealed LED modules that are not user-serviceable.

Main Generations of the Audi A5 and Lighting Types

First Generation (8T/8F): 2008–2016 Coupé, Cabriolet, Sportback

The first-generation Audi A5 is where bulb size questions are most relevant to DIY owners, because many of these cars use replaceable halogen or xenon bulbs rather than sealed LED units.

Halogen Headlights (commonly found on lower trims)

Halogen-equipped first-generation A5 models use traditional replaceable bulbs for low and high beams as well as for fog lights.

Low beam: H7 (most markets)

High beam: H7 (separate reflector or projector in many models)

Front fog lights: H11 or H8 (varies slightly by year and bumper design)

These halogen bulb sizes are widely available and relatively inexpensive, making them straightforward to upgrade to higher-performance halogen or LED retrofit bulbs, as long as local regulations allow.

Xenon / Bi-Xenon Headlights

Higher trims and S5 variants in this era often came with xenon or bi-xenon headlights, which use HID burners instead of halogens for low (and often high) beams.

Low beam xenon: D3S or D1S (varies by year and region; D3S is common on many post-2010 models)

High beam (if separate): H7 halogen on some early setups

Daytime Running Light (DRL): Integrated LED light strip (not a standard replaceable bulb)

Front fog lights: H11 or H8, similar to halogen cars

For xenon systems, the “bulb” is the HID burner (D3S, D1S), which must match the original type exactly. DRL elements are typically LED modules built into the headlamp housing and not sold as individual bulbs.

Exterior Rear and Side Bulb Sizes (First Generation)

Across most first-generation A5 models, rear lighting followed fairly standard bulb types when the car was not equipped with full LED tail lamps.

Rear turn signal: PY21W (amber, offset pins)

Brake light (non-LED lamp units): P21W

Tail/parking light (non-LED units): W5W or combined dual-filament configurations depending on market

Reverse light: W16W or W21W (varies by year and lamp design)

Rear fog light (where fitted): P21W

Side repeater/side marker in mirrors or fenders: W5W or a small LED module, depending on exact spec

Models with optional LED rear lights integrate LEDs for tail, brake, and sometimes indicators; in those units, there may be only a conventional bulb for reverse or fog, or everything may be LED-based and non-serviceable individually.

Interior Bulb Sizes (Typical for First Generation)

Interior bulbs on earlier A5 models are mostly user-replaceable and use popular automotive bulb formats.

Front dome/roof lights: Festoon C5W (generally 36–42 mm)

Map/reading lights: W5W or small festoon/LED modules depending on trim

Rear dome lights: Festoon C5W or small LED module

Glove box light: W5W

Trunk/boot light: Festoon C5W

License plate lights: Festoon C5W (later models often switch to LED housings)

Many owners upgrade these interior and license plate bulbs to LED retrofit kits, which are commonly sold specifically for the A5 8T/8F, as long as CAN-bus compatibility is respected to avoid error messages.

Second Generation (8W6 Coupé / 8W7 Sportback / F5 Cabriolet): 2017–Present

The second-generation A5 moved decisively toward LED and matrix LED technology, which greatly reduces the number of conventional bulb sizes that owners can swap on their own.

Front Lighting: LED and Matrix LED

On most second-generation A5 models, the primary headlights are LED-based from the factory, with optional matrix LED on higher trims or packages.

Low beam: Integrated LED module (no H7/H11 bulb)

High beam: Integrated LED or matrix LED module

Daytime Running Light (DRL): Integrated LED light signature

Front indicators: Often integrated LED strips or modules within the headlamp

Front fog function: Frequently integrated into the main headlamp or driven by adaptive LED, not a separate H11 bulb on many trims

Because these are sealed LED or matrix units, replacement usually means changing the entire headlamp assembly or having a specialist repair the module; bulb-size charts do not list conventional numbers like H7 or D3S for these lamps.

Exterior Rear and Side Bulb Sizes (Second Generation)

Second-generation A5 models similarly favor LED at the rear, though some conventional bulbs may remain depending on regional spec and trim.

Tail and brake lights: Typically integrated LED clusters

Rear turn signals: Usually LED modules (no PY21W bulb on most LED tail units)

Reverse light: Often W16W/W21W or integrated LED depending on tail lamp design

Rear fog light: Frequently LED within the lamp assembly

Side repeaters (mirrors or fenders): LED modules, non-standard bulbs

For LED tail lamps, individual LEDs are not generally replaceable, and a failure typically requires lamp replacement or a specialist repair. Only the reverse light or occasionally fog lamps may use a conventional bulb in certain regional variants.

Interior and License Plate Lighting (Second Generation)

Later-generation A5 models increasingly use factory LED modules inside the cabin and on the license plate, making conventional bulb sizes less common.

Interior lighting pack: Predominantly LED modules (roof, footwells, door lights)

Basic trims: May retain some W5W or festoon C5W bulbs in overhead or trunk positions

License plate lights: Typically complete LED light units rather than festoon bulbs

In these models, aftermarket LED “bulb” upgrades are often sold as full replacement housings rather than plug-in bulbs, since the OEM units are sealed LED assemblies.

How to Confirm the Correct Bulb Size for Your Specific A5

Use VIN, Owner’s Manual, and Online Catalogs

Because Audi A5 bulb types vary by year, market, headlight option, and even production date, the most reliable way to identify the correct bulb size is to cross-check multiple sources.

Owner’s manual: Usually lists bulb types for exterior and interior lights for your exact model year and equipment level.

VIN-based parts lookup: Audi dealers and OEM parts websites can decode your VIN to show the precise headlamp and lamp units installed.

Label on lamp housing: Many headlight and taillight housings have markings (e.g., “H7,” “D3S,” “PY21W”) embossed directly on the plastic.

Reputable bulb databases: Major bulb manufacturers (Philips, Osram, etc.) offer online fitment tools where you select brand, model, year, and trim.

Check for LED icons or “LED” marking: If the lamp is labeled as LED-only, there may be no user-serviceable bulbs for that function.

Cross-referencing these sources helps avoid ordering incorrect bulbs, particularly for cars on the threshold years where Audi transitioned from halogen/xenon to LED systems.

Typical Bulb Size References by Era (Indicative, Not Exhaustive)

The following grouped references summarize the most common conventional bulb sizes you are likely to encounter across different A5 generations, especially for owners planning simple replacements or LED conversions.

First-gen A5 (2008–2016) halogen: H7 (low/high), H11/H8 (fog), PY21W (turn), P21W/W21W/W16W (brake/reverse/fog), W5W (sidelight/interior), C5W festoon (interior/license/trunk).

First-gen A5 (2008–2016) xenon: D3S or D1S (low), H7 (aux high in some versions), H11/H8 (fog), similar rear/interior bulbs as halogen cars.

Second-gen A5 (2017–present): Mostly integrated LED or matrix LED for main headlamps and tails; some W16W/W21W bulbs may remain for reverse or certain regional rear fog configurations; interior and plate lights largely LED modules.

These references provide a practical starting point, but exact fitment should always be verified against your specific vehicle documentation or a VIN-based catalogue.

Summary

The Audi A5 does not have a single universal bulb size; instead, bulb types depend heavily on generation, trim level, and whether your car has halogen, xenon, LED, or matrix LED headlights. Early A5 models (2008–2016) largely rely on replaceable bulbs such as H7 for low/high beams, D3S/D1S for xenon setups, H11/H8 for fog lights, and standard rear and interior bulbs like PY21W, P21W, W21W, W5W, and C5W. Newer A5 models (from about 2017 onward) use mostly sealed LED assemblies for both headlights and tail lamps, leaving only a few positions—often the reverse light or some interior lamps—with conventional bulbs. To be certain of the exact sizes for your own A5, the most reliable method is to consult your owner’s manual and confirm via VIN-based parts lookup or reputable bulb manufacturer databases.

What size is an Audi A5?

The dimensions for the Audi A5 vary by model, but generally, the length is around 185185185 inches (4,7004 comma 7004,700 mm), the width is about 737373 inches (1,8501 comma 8501,850 mm) excluding mirrors, and the height ranges from 545454 to 575757 inches (1,3701 comma 3701,370 to 1,4501 comma 4501,450 mm). The wheelbase is typically around 111111111 inches (2,8202 comma 8202,820 mm).

Dimension	Range
Length	~ 185185185 inches (4,7004 comma 7004,700 mm)
Width	~ 737373 inches (1,8501 comma 8501,850 mm)
Height	54−5754 minus 5754−57 inches (1,370−1,4501 comma 370 minus 1 comma 4501,370−1,450 mm)
Wheelbase	~ 111111111 inches (2,8202 comma 8202,820 mm)

Is H7 a high or low beam bulb?

Yes, H7 bulbs can be used for both high and low beams, but they are a single-filament bulb and require a separate bulb for each function. This means if your car uses H7 bulbs, it will have one H7 bulb for the low beam and another, separate H7 bulb for the high beam, as opposed to a dual-filament bulb (like an H4) that does both in a single unit.
This video shows how to replace H7 bulbs for high and low beams: 48sVagabond BuildsYouTube · Jan 13, 2025

Single-filament design: An H7 is a single-filament bulb, meaning it only has one filament and can only perform one function: either high beam or low beam.
Separate bulbs: To have both high and low beams, a vehicle using H7 bulbs must have two separate H7 bulbs in each headlight assembly: one for the low beam and one for the high beam.
Vehicle-specific: While H7 bulbs are common for both functions, it’s essential to check your car’s owner’s manual to confirm if your vehicle uses H7s for both, or if it uses a different type of bulb for one or both beams, such as a dual-filament bulb like an H4.

Does the Audi A5 have LED lights?

The 2025 Audi A5 boasts a sleek new silhouette, flush door handles, a bold rear LED light strip, and standard LED headlights with customizable daytime running light signatures.

What kind of headlight bulb is in the 2012 Audi A5?

Xenon HID Kits

Application	Bulb Size
Dipped Beam	H7	See Bulbs
Main Beam	H7	See Bulbs
Front Fog	H8	See Bulbs
Sidelight	–