9005 Bulb (HB3)
Light Bulbs & Sockets · 6 specs
Direct Answer
The 9005 Bulb (designated as HB3 under ECE Regulation 37 with a P20d right-angle base) is the high-output single-filament halogen standard designed specifically for dedicated automotive high-beam headlights. Operating at 65W nominal at 12V, generating a powerful 1,700 lumens with an unpainted clear quartz bulb tip for maximum forward optical throw.
Source: UN ECE Regulation 37 Category HB3 / US DOT FMVSS 108 Category 9005 / IEC 60061-1 · Last reviewed Aug 28, 2026
Specs
| Standardization | UN ECE R37 (HB3) / US DOT FMVSS 108 (9005) / IEC 60061-1 |
| Base Socket Designation | P20d (90° right-angle molded plastic base with 3-tab bayonet twist lock) |
| Nominal Power & Voltage | 65 W @ 12V (tested at 13.2V; draws ~4.92 A) |
| Luminous Flux Output | 1,700 lumens ± 12% (high photometric output for long-distance night penetration) |
| Quartz Bulb Tip | Clear glass tip (no black top coating; allows 100% of forward light to escape into high-beam reflectors) |
| Low-Beam Sibling (9006 / HB4) | 9006 / HB4 is the 55W / 1,000 lm low-beam counterpart (P22d base with a black-coated top tip) |
Clear Tip vs Black-Coated Tip Optics
In low-beam bulbs (like the 9006), the top of the glass capsule is coated with opaque black ceramic paint to prevent stray direct light from escaping forward and glaring into oncoming traffic. Because 9005 / HB3 is a dedicated high-beam bulb, it features an unpainted clear tip, allowing maximum lumen output to hit the parabolic reflector and project hundreds of meters down unlit highways.