What Size Of Speakers Can Fit In My Car? A Buyer’s Guide for Car Speakers

Speakers definitely make every car ride more enjoyable一you can blast your favorite tunes and sing along for hours, and the next thing you know, you’ve reached your destination.

For many drivers, speaker specifications could be the last thing on their minds when it comes to inspecting cabin features. But for some, they’re as important as any other car part.

If you happen to be one of those drivers who prioritizes sound quality among other things, this guide will help you learn a thing or two about speakers, and how to find the right one for your car. 

What Size of Speakers Are in My Car?

If you want to know the exact measurement of your speakers, you can always check your owner’s manual or you can use a tape measure to determine the dimensions on your own.

Like most components, speakers are manufactured to fit a certain make and model. For example, the speakers on a 2018 Toyota Corolla might be smaller than the ones on a 2022 Toyota RAV4 and vice versa.

Speakers are classified according to their size. In some cases, however, you might find that 6-inch speakers are actually 6.5, and 5.25-inch speakers are actually a solid 5.0.

How Many Speakers Are in My Car?

Most vehicles have at least four speakers. Depending on the make and model, a vehicle can have up to a dozen speakers strategically placed around the cabin.

Common Car Speaker Sizes

Speakers come in several sizes. Here are the most common ones.

3.5 Inches

Notable features:

• Has an average power handling range of 15.0 to 30.0 watts
• Commonly found in compact cars
• Can produce high and mid-range audio waves
• Has small cones that can affect bass sounds

4.0 Inches

Notable features:

• Has an average power handling range of 25.0 to 40.0 watts
• Can deliver high and mid-range audio waves
• Typically installed in the dashboard
• Usually paired with large speakers

5.25 Inches

Notable features:

• Has a better mid-range bass sound than 3.5 and 4.0-inch speakers
• Typically installed in the rear car doors
• Best paired with woofers and tweeters

6.0 and 6.5 Inches

Notable features:

• Available in coaxial designs
• Can produce enhanced mis-bass and mid-range sounds
• Typically installed in the front car doors
• Can produce distorted sounds at high volumes

4.0×6.0 Inches

Notable features:

• Delivers a consistent and high-quality audio experience
• Best paired with a subwoofer
• Typically installed in the dashboard
• Gives more control when adjusting frequencies

5.0×7.0 Inches

Notable features:

• Has an average power handling range of 30.0 and 50.0
• Commonly found in small vehicles
• Might require an adapter, depending on vehicle specifications
• Can be installed as a replacement for a 6.0 or 6.25-inch speaker

6.0×8.0 and 6.0×9.0 Inches

Notable features:

• Comes with oval-shaped cones that amplify bass sounds
• Easy to install because of pre-designed enclosures

4.0×10.0 Inches

Notable features:

• Commonly found in full-size trucks and SUVs
• Produces a crisp audio quality
• Doesn’t produce the best bass quality

Measuring a Car Speaker’s Size with a Tape Measure

You’ll need to measure a couple of things to get the most accurate information regarding your car’s speaker size. These include the diameter, mounting depth, mounting height, cutout diameter, and screw diameter.

Speaker Diameter

A speaker’s diameter is the diagonal length of the frame.

Mounting Depth

This refers to the length between the mounting flange and the magnet’s base. Simply put, the mounting depth is how deep the speaker can go in its housing.

Mounting Height

Mounting height is the distance between the mounting flange and the speaker’s highest point.

Cutout Diameter

The cutout diameter is the measurement between the flange and the lowest point of the speaker’s basket. This determines how much room the speaker needs to stay in place without getting squeezed in.

Screw Diameter

This measurement refers to the distance between each screw. In most cases, screw diameter isn’t a crucial factor when installing new speakers as long as the mounting space can accommodate all of the screws.

Types of Speakers

There are generally three types of speakers一tweeter, mid-range, and subwoofer.

Tweeter

A tweeter produces high-frequency sounds that fall between 4,000 and 20,000 Hz.

Tweeters are directional speakers. This means that the human ear can detect a tweeter’s location even when there are other sounds. To get the best audio quality from a tweeter, its location should be directed to the listener’s line of sight.

Mid-Range

A mid-range speaker reproduces sounds that fall between 400 and 5,000 Hz. Similar to tweeters, mid-range speakers can deliver the best sound quality when they’re directed to the listener’s line of sight.

Subwoofer

Also called a woofer, the subwoofer produces the lowest frequency of sounds compared to the other types (125 Hz or lower).

Unlike tweeters and mid-range speakers, subwoofers are not directional. This means that listeners won’t be able to locate the source of the sound.

In most vehicles, subwoofers are found in the rear end of the cabin.

Sound System Upgrades

Many drivers prefer going the extra mile when it comes to their vehicle’s audio quality. Here are some of the most common upgrades they install to get the best listening experience possible.

Power and Ground Upgrades

Power and ground upgrades include amplifiers and additional audio components. These installations usually come with a separate battery, inline fuse, and wiring that’s designed for the amperage draw of the sound system.

These upgrades also come with ground wires that have the same gauge as the power side wiring.

Powerline Capacitor

A powerline or stiffening capacitor provides electrical energy that helps the amplifier provide deep bass notes.

The capacitor also discharges stored current to stabilize the voltage level whenever the amplifier draws a large amount of current.