UK number plate sizes explained

Picking the correct size matters as much as picking the finish. A plate that is too big won't sit cleanly in your plate recess, and one that is too small can look lost on a wide bumper. Below we cover the common UK formats so you can match the plate to your vehicle before you build your plate.

The standard size: 520 x 111mm

The standard UK car plate is an oblong measuring 520mm wide by 111mm tall. This is the most common front and rear size and suits the majority of saloons, hatchbacks, estates and many SUVs. If your vehicle came with this shape from the factory and the registration fits comfortably, the standard plate is almost always the right choice. You can see the full standard format on our standard number plates page.

Short plates

Short plates are narrower than the standard oblong and are designed for vehicles with a smaller plate recess, where a full 520mm plate would overhang or wrap around bodywork. They keep the same legal character height but pack the registration into a tighter layout. They are popular on cars such as Minis, Fiats and some imports where the rear recess is shallow. See our short number plates page for the dimensions.

Hex (squarer) plates

Hex plates are a taller, more square-ish format for vehicles whose plate area is closer to square than to a long oblong. They are a common fit on certain 4x4s, vans and Japanese imports. Because the registration is arranged to fit a deeper recess, hex plates keep your characters legal while filling the available space neatly. Details are on our hex number plates page.

Motorbike plates

Motorcycles only require a plate on the rear of the vehicle. Motorbike plates are smaller and taller in proportion than car plates, with the registration typically arranged over two rows. The character sizing for motorcycles differs from cars, so a dedicated motorbike plate is important for both fit and compliance. See our motorbike number plates page.

Import (square) plates

Imported vehicles — particularly from Japan and the USA — often have a square or near-square plate recess that a standard UK oblong simply won't fit. Import plates use a squarer layout, frequently with the registration split across two lines, so the plate sits properly in the original recess without modification. Our import number plates page covers the common formats.

Oversize plates

Some larger vehicles — big 4x4s, pickups and certain commercials — have a wider plate area than the standard oblong. Oversize plates are longer than 520mm so they fill that wider recess and look proportionate on a large vehicle. See our oversize number plates page for the available widths.

How to choose the right size

The simplest approach is to measure your existing plate or plate recess before ordering. Measure the width and height of the space the plate needs to sit in, then match it to the closest format above.

• Measure the recess width and height before you order.
• Front and rear plates can be different sizes if your recesses differ.
• Whatever the size, road plates must keep the legal character dimensions.

Common size questions