License Plate Screw Size [Standard Sizes for Popular Car Models]

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If you need to replace a missing or worn-out license plate screw, it is important to know what size will fit your car or truck. What license plate screw size will fit your vehicle?

The standard license plate screw size for most car brands is 1/4-14-3/4 inch. These are self-tapping screws that can fit most vehicles equipped with nylon or plastic screw retainers.

Vehicles fitted with threaded metal holes use a different type of plate screw. The types and sizes of these screws also vary depending on the car brand or model.

In this article, I’ll list standard license plate screw sizes for different vehicle models, including Acura, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, Ford F-150, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Pontiac, Porsche, Ram, Subaru, Suzuki, Tesla, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo.

Read on to learn more about the standard license plate screw sizes and the different types of license plate screws for cars and trucks.

To ensure that these screws will fit your vehicle, you can search the reviews or Amazon search to see if others use this screw with your car. If not, read on to see recommended screws for the most popular vehicle brands.

Below are the license plate screw sizes for various popular car brands:

Car BrandStandard License Plate Screw Size
AcuraM6 x 16mm
AudiM6-1.0 x 16mm
BMWM4.8 x 16mm
CadillacM6-1.0 x 16mm
Chevrolet#14 x 3/4″
Chrysler1/4-14×3/4″
Ford1/4″ x 3/4″
Ford F-1501/4-14×3/4
GM#14 1/4″ x 3/4″
Honda1/4-14-3/4″
HyundaiM6 x 1.0 x 16-25mm
Jeep#12 x 3/4″
KiaM6 x 1.0 x 16-25mm
Lexus6.3mm x 25mm
MazdaM6 14-20mm
Mercedes Benz6mm x 12mm
MitsubishiM6 x 1.0 x 10mm
Nissan1/4-14-3/4″
PontiacM6-1.0 x 16mm
Porsche1/4-14-3/4″
Ram Truck1/4-14-3/4”
Subaru1/4″ x 3/4″
Suzuki#14 1/4″ x 3/4″
TeslaM5-0.8 X 8mm
ToyotaM6-1.0 x 25mm
VolkswagenM6-1.0 x 16mm
VolvoM6-1.0 x 16mm

Acura

The standard license plate screw size for Acura license plates is M6 x 16mm.

Audi

The standard license plate screw size for Audi license plates is M6-1.0 x 16mm.

BMW

The standard BMW license plate screw size is M4.8 x 16mm. You could go as short as 8mm or as long as 12mm.

Cadillac

The standard license plate screw size for Cadillac is M6-1.0 x 16mm.

Chevrolet

The standard Chevrolet license plate screw size is #14 x 3/4″. You could go as short as 8mm or as long as 12mm.

Chrysler

The standard license plate screw size for most Chrysler vehicles is 1/4-14×3/4.

Ford

The standard license plate screw size for Ford vehicles is 1/4″ x 3/4″.

Ford F-150

The standard license plate screw size for Ford F-150 trucks is 1/4-14-5/8 inch (1/4 inch threaded diameter, 14 threads, 5/8 inch length). An example of this screw for the Ford F-150 is the SNUG Fastener Stainless Steel screw.

Click here to see these Ford F-150 screws on Amazon.

These are stainless steel screws with slotted hex heads that you can easily fasten using a 3/8 inch drive socket or a flat head screwdriver.

They can fit license plates of Ford F-150s and most domestic trucks and cars that use nylon or plastic holders. A 100% warranty backs up its non-corrosive feature.

GM

The standard license plate screw size for most GM vehicles is #14 1/4″ x 3/4″. This screw will fit most General Motors vehicles.

Honda

For Honda car and truck models, the license plate screw size is M6-1.0 x 20mm or 1/4-14-3/4″. Below are screws that will fit your Honda vehicle.

Click here to see these Honda license plate screws.

These screws are made of stainless steel that is zinc-plated and black finished, making them rustproof and durable.

They do not require nylon inserts, and they also come with a universal fit. They are 3/4 inch long and have 1/4 inch diameters. These screws will fit most domestic and imported cars, trucks, and motorcycles.

Hyundai

The standard license plate screw sizes for Hyundai vehicles is M6 x 1.0 x 16-25mm.

Jeep

The standard license plate screw size for Jeep is 1/4-14-3/4″.

Kia

If you have a Kia vehicle, the standard license plate screw size is M6 x 1.0 x 16-25mm.

Lexus

The standard license plate screw size for Lexus vehicles is 6.3mm X25mm.

Mazda

If you have a Mazda such as the Mazda 3, 6, CX-5, etc., the standard license plate screw size is M6 14-20mm.

Mercedes Benz

The standard license plate screw size for Mercedes Benz plates is 6mm x 12mm.

Mitsubishi

The standard license plate screw size for most Mitsubishi car models is M6 x 1.0 x 10mm. Some Mitsubishi vehicles might also take a 16mm extended screw.

Nissan

The right Nissan license plate screw size is 1/4-14-3/4 inches. I also recommend the Revolution Steel License Plate Screws for Nissan vehicles.

Pontiac

The standard license plate screw size for Pontiac vehicles is M6-1.0 x 16mm.

Porsche

The standard Porsche license plate screw size is 1/4-14-3/4 inches.

Ram Truck

The standard RAM truck license plate screw size is 1/4-14-3/4 inch. A reliable size screw that will fit any RAM truck is the Ottospeed Rustproof License Plate Screws.

Click here to see them on Amazon.

These are 100% rustproof 316 marine-grade stainless steel screws. They are more durable and resistant to corrosion because of their proprietary black plating.

Their standard size of 1/4-14-3/4 with a 3/8 inch hex head makes them compatible with most vehicles that use nylon/plastic screw retainers. You can use them as upgrades to the less durable screws supplied by the car dealer.

Subaru

The standard license plate screw size for Subaru license plates is 1/4″ x 3/4″.

Suzuki

The standard Suzuki license plate screw size is #14 1/4″ x 3/4″.

Tesla

The standard Tesla license plate screw size is M5-0.8 X 8mm.

Toyota

The standard license plate screw size for Toyota is M6 1 x 0.5 x 0.5 inches. An example of this Toyota car or truck license plate screw is the one below.

Click here to see these Toyota license plate screws on Amazon.

These stainless steel screws will fit the license plates for most Toyota models. A package includes two standard rear license plate screws and two front license plate self-tapping fasteners.

If you have previously fastened or drilled your front bumper with a bigger screw, you may need to add or use a plastic anchor to fasten these screws.

Volkswagen

The standard license plate screw size for most Volkswagen vehicles is M6-1.0 x 16mm.

Volvo

The standard license plate screw size for Volvo is M6-1.0 x 16mm.

what size are license plate screws

About License Plate Screw Sizes

As mentioned earlier, the most common size license plate screw size is 1/4-14-3/4 inch. There is a meaning to these numbers. The first number (1/4), a fraction, is the threaded diameter of the screw, given in inches. The number in the middle (14) is the number of threads the screw has. The last number (3/4) is the length of the screw, also given in inches.

While there is a standard screw size for license plates, not all are the same.

For instance, there are Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) screws. Original equipment manufacturers make these screws. They are specifically suited to specific brands and models of vehicles.

Car and truck manufacturers produce their screws with different materials and sizes, specifically suited to the license plate retainers. For instance, some of the screws have hex heads, slotted hex heads, truss heads, or slotted truss heads.

If you need a specific type and/or size of the screw, you will not find any difficulty finding it. Most of these OEM screws are available from Amazon.

So again, what size are license plate screws? What is the standard license plate screw size? The most common license plate screw size is 1/4-14-3/4 inch (1/4 inch threaded diameter, 14 threads, 3/4 inch length). But as described above, some model cars and trucks require different license plate screw sizes.

Below is another table that will show you some of the standard sizes of license screw plates used in most modern cars today.

Screw TypeStandard Sizes
82-5503 – Slotted Head, Washer Head1/4 x 3/4 Zinc Plated Universal
14099 – Slotted Truss Head1/4 x 3/4 Zinc Plated Universal
6717 – Slotted Truss Head1/4 x 3/4 Black, GM, and Universal
1434 SS – Phillips Truss Head1/4 x 3/4 Stainless
12932 – Slotted Pan Head1/4 x 3/4 Stainless, GM, and Universal
12818 – Slotted Hex Washer Head1/4 x 3/4 Stainless, Universal
1012SS – Phillips Truss Head#10 x 1/2 Stainless
858SS – Phillips Pan Head#8 x 5/8  Stainless, European, and Universal
903 – Slotted Hex Head#12 x 3/4 Zinc Plated, Subaru, and Universal
6552 – Slotted Hex Washer Head1/4 x 3/4 Black Zinc Plated, Universal
90-6739 – Slotted Truss1/4 x 5/8 Zinc Plated-Blunt Point, Universal
1939 – Slotted Hex Washer Head1/4 x 5/8 with 5/8 o.d. Washer, Ford # N800369-S2

An example of a reliable standard license plate screw is the Revolution Rustproof License Plate Screws. These screws will not rust because they’re made of high-grade stainless steel.

Click here to see them on Amazon.

These screws are 3/4 inch long self-tapping screws that can fit most cars and trucks with nylon/plastic screw retainers.

Click here to them on Amazon.

The Four (4) Stainless Steel License Plate Screws (BCP253) provide a durable and reliable solution for securing license plates on most domestic cars and trucks.

Crafted from premium 304 stainless steel, these screws boast a slotted hex head design, facilitating easy fastening using a flat head screwdriver or a 3/8″ drive socket.

Specifically designed for standard license plate holes that use nylon/plastic retainers, it’s important to note that a different style of screw is required for metal threaded holes.

The non-corrosive nature of these stainless steel screws is backed by a 100% lifetime warranty, ensuring long-lasting performance. With compatibility for US domestic cars and trucks, this set of license plate screws offers a secure and dependable solution for affixing license plates in place.

How to Replace License Plate Screws

Replacing license plate screws is simple and easy, especially if you have the know-how. You’ll need a flathead or Phillips screwdriver to unscrew the old ones and screw in their replacements.

Follow these steps when replacing the old screws:

  1. Start with the rear license plate. Use the right screwdriver and unscrew the two existing screws on the top of the license plate’s edge or the plate frame (if there is any).
  2. Remove the license plate (and the plate frame) and set them aside. Clean them if necessary.
  3. Clear all the dirt and debris around the screw holes.
  4. Place the license plate (and the frame) back to its original position.
  5. Start to screw the new screws on the plate or the plate frame using the screwdriver. Make sure that you fully secure the plate and the plate frame.
  6. Now, go to the front of the car and follow the same procedure in unscrewing and screwing the front license plate.
what size screw for license plate

If your license plate screw is stuck, see License Plate Screw Is Stuck – How to Get It Out.

Most cars manufactured in the United States use sheet metal screws and nylon snap-in nuts for their front and rear license plates, except the Chevrolet Corvette. Most carmakers in Europe and Asia use metric machine screws with threaded inserts.

The screws used for the rear license plates are usually not the same as those on the front license plate. More often than not, there is a license plate mounting bracket at the rear, which is attached first to the car before the license plate. When this bracket is set in place, you know the license plate is fully screwed in.

Conclusion – What Size Are License Plate Screws?

What is the standard license plate screw size? The standard size of license plate screws for vehicles in the United States is 1/4-14-3/4 inch. These are self-tapping screws suitable to most vehicles fitted with nylon or plastic screw retainers.

A different type of plate screw is required for vehicles fitted with metal-threaded holes. The sizes of these screws also vary depending on the car brand or model.

Related reading:

Transfer License Plate to New Car

Find License Plate Number [By VIN and Other Methods]