Let’s help you find the right license plate screw size for your vehicle.
License plate screws are the last thing most people think about when maintaining their car or truck, but you might be surprised by how just much there is to know about these seemingly insignificant mechanical fasteners.
For instance, if you’re installing your license plates for the first time or need to replace a rusted, worn-out, or missing screw, chances are you can’t just use whatever screw you find lying around. You need to determine the right size screw for your particular vehicle.
The most common license plate screw size is 1/4-14-3/4 inch, but even this might be the wrong size for your needs.
If you don’t know the right screw size to get for your license plates and don’t want to “screw” around guessing, you came to the right place. In this article, we discuss license plate screw sizes in detail and provide recommendations for different makes of vehicles, including Toyota, Honda, Nissan, BMW, Ford, and Chevrolet.
IN THIS GUIDE
License Plate Screw Size
There is a wide variety of screws on the market, and they are made from different materials and come in different dimensions to meet the various requirements of different car brands and vehicle models.
Why don’t all automakers use the same screw size for their vehicles? Your guess is as good as ours, but as noted earlier, the most common license plate screw size is 1/4-14-3/4 inch.
If you’re wondering what all those numbers mean, the first fraction (1/4) represents the threaded diameter of the screw in inches, the middle number (14) indicates the thread count on the screw, and the last number (3/4) is the length of the screw, as measured in inches.
Both aftermarket and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) screws may have hex heads, slotted hex heads, truss heads, or slotted truss heads and can be found easily at most auto parts or hardware stores. Your local vehicle service center will likely also carry them.
Standard Screw Sizes For License Plates
The following table shows some (not all) of the different types of license plate screws, along with their standard sizes and the vehicle makes they pertain to.
Note that it’s just a general guideline. Other types of screws beside the ones listed can oftentimes be used for each vehicle make.
| Car Make | Standard Screw Size | Screw Type |
|---|---|---|
| Audi, Volkswagen | M6-1.0 x 16mm | Slotted Hex Washer Head |
| BMW, MINI | M5 x 0.8 x 8-16mm | Phillips Truss Head |
| GM (Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac) | #14 x 3/4″ | Slotted Truss Head |
| Hyundai, Kia, Genesis | M6 x 1.0 x 16-25mm | Phillips Round Washer Head |
| Honda, Acura | M6-1.0 x 12-20mm | Phillips Pan Head |
| Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep | #12 | |
| Ford, Lincoln | 1/4″ x 14 x 5/8” | Slotted Hex Washer Head |
| Mazda | M6 x 1.0 x 25mm | Slotted Hex Washer Head |
| Mercedes Benz | M6 x 1.0 x 8-16mm / M5 x 0.8 x 8-16mm | Phillips Truss Head |
| Nissan, Infiniti | M6 x 16mm / (#14) 1/4 x 3/4” | Slotted Hex Washer Head |
| Toyota, Lexus | 1 x 0.5 x 0.5” / M6- 1.0 x 25mm | Slotted Pan Head |
One of the most popular brands of license plate screws is SNUG Fasteners. It offers universal, standard-size license plate screws that are compatible with nearly every car or truck.
The screws are self-tapping in design and made from premium, rust- and corrosion-resistant stainless steel, ensuring they last a very long time.
The Revolution Rustproof License Plate Screws are another top-rated option. These high-grade, 1/4 x 3/8 inch stainless steel screws don’t rust and, thanks to their nylon/plastic screw retainers and self-tapping design, fit nearly all makes and models of cars and trucks.
Whatever license plate frame you have, brands such as Revolution and SNUG Fasteners are bound to have screws that will secure it safely to your vehicle.
If you have a vehicle that requires screws specifically designed for its particular make and model, don’t worry. We’ll show you the types and sizes of screws used by various carmakers.
Toyota License Plate Screws
Toyota cars and trucks typically use license plate screws measuring 1 x 0.5 x 0.5 inch in size. If you’re looking for a particular brand of screws, the RSD Never Rust OE Style screws for Toyota license plates are a top choice.
Like the Revolution and SNUG Fasteners screws, RSD’s license plate screws are stainless steel and fasten perfectly. The package includes a pair of screws for the rear license plate, as well as two self-tapping fasteners for the front plate.
Considering Lexus and Scion are/were brands of Toyota, these screws also work on all Lexus and Scion models.
Honda
The aforementioned Revolution Steel License Plate Screws work fine for Honda car and truck models. However, if you’re looking for something a bit slicker in appearance, we recommend the black zinc-plated stainless steel version.
You get a set of four attractive black license plate fasteners, all of which are as durable and rustproof as Revolution’s other screws.
Of course, measuring 3/4 inches long and 1/4 inch wide, they fit most American, Asian, and European-made vehicles, not just Hondas, as well as motorcycles.
Nissan
Nissan models require license plate screws that measure 1/4-14-3/4 inches — the most common license screw size, in other words. As such, you can’t go wrong with Revolution Steel License Plate Screws.
Whether you choose the plain stainless steel, chrome-plated, or black zinc-plated version to match with the design characteristics of your particular vehicle, you can count on these slotted hex head screws to be strong, durable, and rustproof, not to mention easy to install and remove.
Chevrolet
The recommended license plate screw size for Chevrolet cars and trucks is typically around 10 mm long, though an 8mm or 12mm long screw will also suffice. Our top recommendation is the Prime Ave Stainless Steel Plate Screws for Chevrolets and other General Motors vehicles.
What you get are screws made of top-rate 18-8 stainless steel for maximum performance and durability, as well as a rustproof guarantee and lifetime warranty.
Truss heads secure your license plate without the need of washers, while their self-tapping and low profile design won’t fail to provide perfect fitment and maintain or enhance the appearance of your vehicle
Prime Ave Stainless Steel Plate Screws can also be used on Buick, GMC, and Cadillac cars, SUVs, and trucks.
BMW License Plate Screws
BMW license plate screw sizes are typically around 10mm long, but shorter 8mm or longer 12mm will also work. Think something along the lines of M5x10mm machine screws.
If you’re looking to replace your BMW license plate screws, the Prime Ave Standard Length Stainless Steel Screws for BMW models will do the trick.
Made from 316 stainless steel and designed to the highest quality standards, they will never rust and should last for the lifetime of your Bimmer, if not longer. You can also use them on MINI models, seeing as BMW owns the MINI brand.
Ford F-150
Ah, yes, the Ford F-150 — the best-selling vehicle in North America year after year.
1/4-14-5/8 inch screws are the right license plate screw size for Ford trucks. That’s to say, screws with a 1/4-inch thread diameter, 14 threads, a 5/8-inch length.
The SNUG Fastener Stainless Steel License Plate Screws work well for Ford F-150 license plate frames. In fact, this particular style screw fits the license plate holes of most American cars and trucks, so long as they have plastic or nylon holders (metal threaded holes require a different style screw).
They are stainless steel, which is par for course, and feature slotted hex heads, allowing them to be easily fastened with a flat screwdriver or a 3/8 inch drive socket.
RAM Trucks
RAM trucks also use 1/4-14-3/4 inch license plate screws. If you’re looking for a good set of screws, consider getting the Ottospeed Rustproof License Plate Screws.
These particular screws are made from 316 marine grade, 100 percent rustproof stainless steel finished in an attractive, non-tarnishable durable black plating. What this means is that they won’t tarnish or rust for as long as your truck lasts.
The Ottospeed Rustproof License Plate Screws are also easy to install, thanks to their 3/8″ hex slotted head, and are compatible with nearly every vehicle that utilizes nylon or plastic license plate screw retainers, not just RAM trucks.
Where To Buy license Plate Screws
There are many places to buy screws for license plates, including your local car dealerships and auto parts stores, as well as online shops.
With regards to online outlets, Amazon is easily the easiest, most convenient outlet for finding and buying the right license plate screws for your car or truck.
All the license plate screws we recommended in this article can be found on Amazon. All you have to do is simply perform a search for the right units, making sure to include your vehicle model in the search; read the question section and some of the reviews to check for quality and compatibility; and make the purchase.
Considering how fast Amazon delivers products, it should only take a few days for the screws to be delivered to your residence.
There are many other places online to buy screws for license plates, including Parts Avatar. You can also get them at dealerships, especially the one where you purchased your vehicle.
With dealerships, there is no need to perform research. Just tell the personnel the car or truck you drive and they will get you the right screws.
Finding the right screws at a generic auto parts store requires a little bit more effort, but you can always ask the staff to give you a hand.
Since the length needs to match the depth of the holes in the license plate mount, you should always consider how long the screws are. Additionally, take into account the various parts of a license plate mount, namely the following:
- Washers
- Screw covers with a base
- License plate clear cover (check for legality)
- License plate frame (Click here for some of the best ones)
- Frame gasket
- License plate
- Spacers
Taken together, these elements can add up to a depth of 1/2 inch (12 mm) or more. Screws that are too short or too long will, therefore, not provide a secure fit for the license plate.
Finally, consider the material quality of the screws. Not all of them are made of rustproof stainless steel or resistant to corrosion.
How to Replace License Plate Screws
Unlike repainting a car, license plate screws are incredibly easy to replace, and it doesn’t take an experienced handyman to get the job done. All you need are the right size replacement screws and a Phillips screwdriver or flathead to remove the old screws and install the new ones.
Here are the steps for replacing your old screws:
Step 1. Starting with the rear license plate, unscrew the screws holding the plate in place.
Step 2. Remove the license plate cover (if any), the actual plate, and the frame, and put them aside.
Step 3. If necessary, clean each component of any dirt, debris, and/or crud, especially the holes.
Step 4. Reposition the license plate and frame, and then screw them back onto your vehicle using the new screws. Make sure they are completely secure before moving on to the next step.
Step 5. Repeat the entire process for the front license plate.
Screws For License Plate FAQs
We are sure you have even more questions about license plate screws. Here are some other popular questions and our answers to them.
Are All License Plate Screws The Same Size?
No. While 1/4-14-3/4 inch size screws are the most universal and commonly used license plate screws on vehicles from different carmakers, some cars and trucks require screws that are made specifically for their make and model.
In other words, vehicles made by different manufacturers may require license plate screws of a different size.
What Are M6 Screws?
‘M6’ is an abbreviation for a metric 6 mm screw, and M6 x 0.1 mm is the actual name of the standard metric rack screw.
The ‘M’ indicates that the screw is metric, while the ‘6’ represents its outside diameter as measured in millimeters. The “0.1 mm” is the distance between the threads, also measured in millimeters.
An M6 screw can be identified by using a ruler to measure the diameter. It will be 6 mm around, or just a little over 7/32 inches (0.228″).
What Size Are Hyundai License Plate Screws?
Hyundai vehicles use M6 x 0.1 mm size license plate screws with a 16 mm length.
Kia and Hyundai are related, so the license plates on Kia cars and trucks also use the same screw size.
Will Double-Sided Tape Hold A License Plate?
Yes, double-sided tape such as the 3M Super Strength Molding Tape is usually strong enough to hold a license plate frame, but it may not be the best solution.
The tape won’t come off for several years under ideal conditions; however, an automatic car wash, heavy rainstorm, and severe stress and agitation caused by other factors can cause it to rip off your bumper.
Double-sided tape can also require more effort to remove than license plate screws.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it — the detailed guide on the right size screws for license plates.
license plate screws are nothing more than an afterthought for most car owners; however, they can differ greatly in their design, size, and quality.
In other words, not every screw on the market will be compatible with your vehicle. Not only did we provide you with the most common size screw for license plates, but we also highlighted other popular screw sizes.
You were given recommendations for certain makes of cars and trucks, including Toyota, BMW, Honda, Nissan, Chevrolet, and RAM Trucks, as well as for the ever-so-popular Ford F-150.
Finally, we discussed where you can purchase license plate screws and laid out the process for replacing them on your vehicle.
The key takeaway is that 1/4-14-3/4 inch screws are the standard license plate screw size for most vehicles in North America, particularly the United States and Canada. If you found this article useful, you might also want to know how to repair a sagging headliner, how much the average car weighs, and how long a car inspection takes.