Understanding car speaker sizes

So what's the deal with car speaker sizes anyway?

At Crutchfield, we help customers who have questions about car speaker size all the time. Figuring out car speaker sizes can be a little confusing. In the mobile audio world, it helps to think about the size of car speakers as more of a category than an actual size. Much like a 2x4 is not actually 2" thick and 4" wide, a 6-1/2" speaker isn't actually 6-1/2" in diameter. Its measurement is close, but the actual dimensions of speakers within the 6-1/2" category can vary based on a manufacturer's design.

The differences between speaker sizes

When we research the speakers we sell, we take into account several measurements and the manufacturer's information when determining if they'll fit in various vehicles. The size designation is most closely related to their frame's diagonal measurement and hole alignment. It's not just about the diameter of the speaker's cone or the cutout diameter, which is a common misconception. Below is a diagram showing how a few speaker sizes are determined: 

Not only does the size of the speaker frame help determine its size category, but note that the hole patterns on the 6-1/2" and 6-3/4" speakers are different.

Figuring out the size of your vehicle's factory speaker 

Determining the size of the factory speaker in your vehicle can be tricky. These speakers don't always adhere to the same size standards as aftermarket speakers because the factory speakers are designed to work with the overall design of the vehicle. And of course, you usually have to do some work to get to the factory speakers, since it's difficult to tell the size of a speaker when it's under a door panel or a grille.

The speaker cutout in a 2015 Honda Fit isn't a conventional size. It also uses only one screw and two tabs to keep the factory speaker in place. For many vehicles, we offer brackets to help the new speakers fit the factory opening.

We've done the research for you

For most vehicles on the road, Crutchfield has done the measuring work for you. By using our exclusive OutfitMyCar tool, you'll be able to see which aftermarket speakers fit your vehicle.

Not only have we researched what speaker sizes can be accommodated, we've also taken other measurements into account. As you can see in the diagram below, we measure every aspect of a car speaker to provide you with the largest selection of speakers that'll fit your ride. And when we don't have a speaker that's the same size as the factory speaker, we usually offer brackets that work with other sizes to give you some alternatives. 

We measure all dimensions of a speaker to help determine what will work for you.

And we're also here to help

If you have any questions about finding new speakers for your vehicle, contact our advisors via phone, email, or chat. They can look up your vehicle, answer questions, and help you choose new speakers that'll fit the first time!