License plate screw sizes are not the same on every car. Most cars take one of three sizes: a #14 screw, an M6 metric screw, or an M5 metric screw. This guide shows which license plate screw sizes go with which car makes, and which screws we carry for each one, so you can order the right screws the first time.
Factory Length or Frame Length?
The lengths listed below are factory sizes, made to hold the license plate by itself. A license plate frame or cover adds thickness, so if you use one, order a longer screw. Some makes and models, such as Tesla, use a self-tapping screw on the front license plate and a machine screw on the rear, so check which plate you are buying for.
License Plate Screw Sizes at a Glance
- #14 (1/4″) x 3/4″: most American cars and trucks. See our License Plate Screws #14 x 3/4.
- M6 metric: most Asian imports, such as Honda, Acura, Toyota, Lexus, Hyundai, and Kia. See our Metric License Plate Screws M6 x 16mm.
- M5 metric: Tesla rear plates, BMW, and Mini. See our Tesla License Plate Screws M5 x 20mm and Tesla and BMW License Plate Screws M5 x 10mm.
License Plate Screw Size Chart by Car Make
Find your car make below to see its factory license plate screw size and the closest screw we carry. Some sizes we do not carry yet.
| Car Make | Screw Size | Factory Length | Our Closest Screw |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford | #14 (1/4″) | 3/4″ | #14 x 3/4 |
| Chevrolet, GMC, Buick | #14 (1/4″) | 3/4″ | #14 x 3/4 GM Duo-Drive Truss Head |
| Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Jeep | #14 (1/4″) | 3/4″ | #14 x 3/4 |
| Honda, Acura | M6 | 20mm | Metric M6 x 16mm |
| Toyota, Lexus | M6 | 20mm to 25mm | Metric M6 x 16mm |
| Hyundai, Kia, Genesis | M6 | 20mm to 25mm | Metric M6 x 16mm |
| Nissan, Infiniti | M6 | 16mm to 20mm | Metric M6 x 16mm |
| Mazda | M6 | 14mm to 20mm | Metric M6 x 16mm |
| Mitsubishi | M6 | 10mm | Metric M6 x 16mm |
| Subaru | Sources differ: #14 (1/4″) or M6 | 3/4″ or 20mm | #14 x 3/4 Metric M6 x 16mm |
| Volvo | M6 | 16mm | Metric M6 x 16mm |
| Cadillac, Pontiac | M6 on some models, #14 on others | 16mm | Metric M6 x 16mm #14 x 3/4 |
| BMW | M5 | 8mm | M5 x 10mm |
| Mini | M5 | 8mm | M5 x 10mm |
| Tesla, rear plate | M5 | 6mm (10mm with a frame) | M5 x 10mm M5 x 20mm |
| Lucid | M5 (owners report) | 12mm | Not carried yet |
| Mercedes-Benz | M5 on most US models | 8mm to 16mm | Not carried yet |
| Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche | M5 coarse thread (not the same as our M5); some Audi models use M6 | 16mm | Not carried yet |
Some M6 cars use a fine-thread machine screw, and others use a coarse self-tapping screw. Check the tip of your old screw, as shown below.
#14 License Plate Screw Sizes for American Cars and Trucks
For an OE look on American cars, we also carry the GM Duo-Drive Truss Head License Plate Screws. The dual-drive head takes a Phillips or a flathead screwdriver.
The #14 x 3/4″ screw is the most common license plate screw in the United States. It is a self-tapping screw: the pointed tip cuts its own thread into the plastic or nylon insert behind the plate.
- Ford
- GM: Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Cadillac
- Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, and Jeep
We carry the License Plate Screws #14 x 3/4 in a pack of 100, with a slotted hex washer head and a cone point. If the plastic insert behind the plate is cracked or brittle, replace it with our License Plate Nylon Inserts.
M6 License Plate Screw Sizes for Imports
M6 means the screw is 6 millimeters thick. It is the size most Asian imports use. The length changes by make:
- Honda and Acura: M6, usually 20mm long
- Toyota and Lexus: M6, usually 20mm to 25mm long
- Hyundai and Kia: M6, usually 20mm to 25mm long
- Mazda: M6, 14mm to 20mm long
- Mitsubishi: M6, usually 10mm long
- Volvo: M6, usually 16mm long
We carry the Metric License Plate Screws M6 x 16mm in a pack of 100. They are self-tapping steel with a cone point, a slotted hex washer head, and a zinc clear finish.
M5 License Plate Screw Sizes for Tesla, BMW, and Mini
M5 means the screw is 5 millimeters thick. These cars have a metal threaded hole behind the plate, so they take a machine screw with a fine thread, not a pointed self-tapping screw.
- Tesla rear plate: M5
- BMW: M5
- Mini: M5
We carry two M5 screws:
- Tesla and BMW License Plate Screws M5 x 10mm: stainless steel button head with a 3mm Allen socket drive.
- Tesla License Plate Screws M5 x 20mm: zinc Phillips pan head. The 20mm length is for license plates with frames.
Self-Tapping Screw or Machine Screw?
- Self-tapping screw: has a pointed tip and a coarse thread. It cuts its own thread into a plastic or nylon insert. Our #14 and M6 screws are self-tapping.
- Machine screw: has a flat tip and a fine thread. It turns into a metal threaded hole. Our M5 screws are machine screws.
Look at one of the old screws from the car. A pointed tip means self-tapping. A flat tip means machine screw.
More Dealer License Plate Hardware
- License Plate Thumb Screws, GM Dealer Style: turn dealer plates on and off by hand.
- Magnetic License Plate Holder: move a dealer plate from car to car for test drives.
- GM Duo-Drive Truss Head License Plate Screws
- Phillips Pan Head License Plate Screws and Insert Kit
- License Plate Nylon Inserts
- Car Dealer Key Tags
Shop all our Auto Dealer Products.