How to Measure Speaker Size in Inches – 4 Simple Steps

Does speaker size matter in a car? Do larger speakers sound better and louder? Wondering how to measure speaker size in inches? Well, these are some of the many questions you may be having in mind when choosing replacement speakers for your car.

Car speakers are available in a wide range of sizes. Some are small-sized while others are medium and large-sized. Thus, figuring out the best car speaker sizes for your car can be quite confusing.

Generally, the sound output from your car stereo is largely determined by the size of your car speakers. When shopping for replacement speakers, the size to choose will mainly depend on the available installation space in your car.

If your car has a small cabin, you’ll better choose among small to medium-sized car speakers. If space is not an issue, you’ll have the freedom to choose from all speaker sizes. In this article, we’ll explain how to measure speaker size and the car speaker sizes available.

How to Measure Speaker Size in Inches

Tools needed:

• Measuring tape
• Flathead screwdriver (or Philips screwdriver)

Step #1- Remove the mounting bracket

Use a flathead screwdriver or Philips screwdriver to unscrew any mounting bracket. For factory speakers, they might be glued in place. You can know the kind of screw driver you need by checking the kind of threading on the mounting screws. Remove all the screws and remove the speaker.

Remember to disconnect the car battery when removing the speaker to prevent shocking yourself.

Step #2- Measure the mounting diameter

Place the speaker on a flat surface in a way that it sits on the magnet. Next, take a measuring tape and place it across the mounting bracket to measure its diameter.

If your speaker does not have a mounting bracket, measure the diameter of the speaker by placing the measuring tape from one point of the top surface of the speaker basket to the opposite farthest point across the speaker basket.

Step #3- Measure the speaker cutout diameter

The easiest way on how to measure speaker diameter cutout is by flipping the speaker over such that the speaker magnet faces upward. Next, take your measuring tape and place it over the speaker.

Check the edge of the speaker where the speaker basket starts bulging out of the mounting bracket. This is where you should place the hook of your measuring tape.

Extend the measuring tape to the opposite edge where the speaker basket bulges out. This will give you the cutout diameter. However, this is among the most awkward speaker dimensions to take. You can get it right by being keen on the edge where the speaker basket bulges out.

Step #4- Measure the speaker depth

Next, you will need to take measurements of the speaker depth. It determines how deep your speaker will go into the mounting hole. To take this measurement, turn the speaker over one side. Hold the hook of the measuring tape on the interior edge of its mounting plate. Extend the tape to the base of the speaker magnet. The measurement you will get will tell you how deep it can go into the mounting location.

Car Speaker Size – The Most Common Sizes Available

Now that you know how to measure a speaker for replacement, you will find it easier to know the speaker that will fit your car. With that in mind, here are the standard speaker sizes to choose from.

3.5 Inch Car Speakers

3.5 inch speakers are some of the smallest and most compact speakers. They’re a perfect choice for anyone with very limited car space.

They’re often installed on the rear or front dash ports. 3.5 car speakers are most suitable for midrange and high-frequency sound output.

However, they’re not ideal for producing low-frequency sound. Thus, a bass enthusiast would want to consider another car speaker size.

Read related article: Best 3.5 Car Speakers

4 Inch Car Speaker Sizes

4-inch car speakers are also suitable for installing in tight mounting locations. They’re compact and output great high and midrange frequencies. Also, they’re affordable and require a minimal amount of power to drive them. Just like 3.5-inch speakers, these speakers are not ideal for bass output.

Read related article: Best 4 Inch Car Speakers

4×6 Car Speakers

4×6 inch car speakers are some of the most common small-sized speakers. Most factory car music systems come with 4×6 speakers. Despite being small-sized, they offer decent sound output.

They’re typically oval-shaped but may come with a speaker mounting adapter plate bracket to mount on differently shaped speaker mounting locations.

Although they’re an affordable option, they still deliver great sound quality. Also, they deliver full-range sound but not the best bass. Thus, they sound best when combined with a subwoofer, especially for bass lovers.

Read related article: Best 4×6 Speakers

5 Inch Car Speakers

5-inch automotive speakers are mostly available as stock speakers, especially in several Japanese cars. They create a great balance between high and low frequencies, thanks to their wide frequency range. If your car came with low-performing 5-inch speakers, you can replace them with more powerful 5-inch aftermarket speakers.

5.25 Car Speakers

5.25-inch speakers are also among the most common speakers in small-sized cars. They’re most suitable for installation on the door panels, especially on the rear doors.

They’re also great for installation on the rear dash. Their size strikes a great balance between maximum size and limited space. Moreover, they’re perfect for a well-balanced listening experience since no frequency overwhelms the other.

If your car is small and you need well-balanced sound without much emphasis on deep bass, then these speakers are a great upgrade to factory speakers. Besides, they sound superb when used alongside bigger speakers and subwoofers.

Read related article: Best 5.25 Speakers

5×7 Car Speakers

5×7 inch speakers are mid-size car speakers and slightly bigger than 5.25-inch speakers. Their larger size makes them output more powerful sound than 5.25 replacement speakers. They often come with a speaker basket featuring multiple mounting ports for easier installation in most mounting locations.

However, 5×7 speakers are less common. Regardless, they deliver decent midrange and lows but are not powerful enough to output earth-shaking bass. Also, they’re less ideal for treble.

Read related article: Best 5×7 Speakers

6.5 Car Speakers

6.5-inch speakers are mostly ideal for installation on sedan cars. In fact, they’re some of the most popular speakers in sedans. However, you can install them in any other car as long as it has sufficient space to fit them.

They have a high power handling capacity than speakers closer to them in size. Thus, they’re able to deliver louder sound output. Additionally, they deliver decent high, midrange, and low frequencies.

However, you’re unlikely to get the most out of them with a factory receiver. Preferably, upgrade to a powerful head unit to maximize their performance.

Read related article: Best 6.5 Car Speakers

6×8 Car Speakers

Once you learn how to measure speaker size in inches, you will find that 6×8 inch speakers are relatively large. You’ll need sufficient space to install them. Also, you may have to modify the existing speaker mounting location to fit them.

They’re most suitable for installation on the front doors. They cover a wide frequency range and add clarity and depth to the car audio system.

Also, they’re great for producing sharp and rich full-range sound. Although they deliver clean lows, you should still get a subwoofer for the best bass output.

Read related article: Best 6×8 Speakers

6×9 Car Speaker Sizes

6×9 inch car speakers are a popular choice for many car music enthusiasts. They perform superbly across all frequency ranges. You’ll only find them as aftermarket speakers.

Their bass output is great and you can do without a subwoofer, especially if you’re not after heart-pounding bass. You can install them on the rear deck.

Also, you can install them on the doors if space allows. However, they’re not suitable for small-sized cars where space is a problem.

Read related article: Best 6×9 Speakers

You can also check our speaker size hole chart to know the speaker cutout diameter that will fit a certain speaker size.

Final Thoughts on How to Measure speaker size in inches

As you can see, there are numerous car speaker sizes to choose from. Each automotive speaker size has its advantages and shortcomings. Thus, no single speaker size is suitable for everyone. Just ensure the size you choose fulfills your car audio needs and can fit in your car.

Also, install the speaker properly without leaving any gaps in the mounting location. Hopefully, you now know how to measure car speaker size in inches.

Also, check our guide on how to measure subwoofer sizes.