Short Number Plates
Smaller Size Plates | Perfect Fit for Your Registration
From £34.97
Short number plates give shorter registrations a narrower outline than a standard 520mm plate. Choose 18.5", 16" or 14" widths — but only use a layout on the road if your registration fits with full legal characters, spacing and margins.
Design your plates in the 3D builder →
Short Number Plates we've made
What are short number plates?
Short number plates (also called small or narrow plates) use a reduced width compared to the standard 520mm (20.5") plate. They're ideal for registrations with fewer characters, imported vehicles with smaller plate recesses, or simply for a cleaner, more proportional look. We offer three short sizes: 18.5" (470mm), 16" (406mm), and 14" (356mm). All sizes use BS AU 145e compliant materials and correct character spacing. Learn about all UK number plate sizes.
Are short number plates legal?
Short plates can be road legal, but a narrow recess does not allow smaller letters. Keep Charles Wright characters 79mm tall and normally 50mm wide (1 and I are narrower), 11mm between characters, a 33mm group gap and at least 11mm clear margins. The reflective background, solid black characters, supplier details and BS AU 145e mark must also comply. If a selected width requires reduced character size or spacing, choose a larger plate for road use. Proof of identity and entitlement is required after checkout. Read the short plate rules.
Choosing the right size
Our short widths are 18.5" (470mm), 16" (406mm) and 14" (356mm), compared with standard 520mm plates. Character count alone is not a guarantee of legal fit: the actual characters, group gap, margins and any badge affect the space needed. Enter your registration, check the dimensions and sizing warnings, then measure your car's recess and mounting surface before choosing. How to measure your plate size.
Fitting and plastic plate clips
Short and hex plates are not compatible with plastic plate clips unless they can be manufactured to 109mm tall. Check the holder's grip height and width before ordering rather than assuming a shorter plate will clip into a standard holder. We recommend sticky pads on a suitable clean, flat mounting surface instead. Do not drill through raised 3D, gel or 4D characters. Read the fitting guide.
Short Number Plates prices
| Option | Pair | Single plate |
|---|---|---|
| Standard short Printed characters | £34.97 | £17.49 |
| 3D gel short Domed gel characters | £49.97 | £24.99 |
| 4D short 3mm Laser-cut acrylic | £44.97 | £22.49 |
| 4D short 5mm Laser-cut acrylic, bold | £54.97 | £27.49 |
Tracked UK delivery £3.99. Borders, badges and tints are optional extras priced in the builder.
Short vs full-size plate at a glance
| Full size | Short | |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 520mm (20.5") | 470mm (18.5"), 406mm (16") or 356mm (14") |
| Characters | Check the full registration layout | Fit depends on characters, spacing, margins and extras |
| Character size | 79mm tall, 50mm wide | Identical; only the plate is narrower |
| Lettering | Printed, 3D gel or 4D | Printed, 3D gel or 4D |
| Pair price | From £24.99 | From £34.97 |
| Road legal | With a compliant layout and materials | Only if the registration fits without shrinking or squeezing |
| Best for | Seven-character registrations | Short registrations, narrow bumpers, imports |
Who are they for?
Short plates are perfect for drivers with shorter registrations (5–6 characters) who want a proportional, tidy look. They're also popular with imported vehicle owners whose plate recesses are smaller than standard UK size, and enthusiasts who prefer a cleaner aesthetic on performance and classic cars.
Care and lifespan
Short plates require the same care as standard plates. The smaller size makes them lighter and slightly easier to handle during fitting. Use adhesive pads for a secure, clean fitment. Avoid pressure washing at close range.
Frequently asked questions
Are short number plates road legal?
They can be, if your registration fits with full legal character dimensions, correct spacing, margins, reflective materials and required markings. Shrinking the letters to fit a smaller plate is not road legal. Read the short plate rules.
What sizes are available?
We offer 18.5" (470mm), 16" (406mm) and 14" (356mm) short plates. Standard full-size plates are 520mm (20.5"). Check our full size guide.
Can I get short plates with 3D or 4D lettering?
Yes! Short plates are available with all our lettering styles including standard, 3D gel, 4D acrylic, and 4D gel. Design yours in our plate builder.
How do I know which size to choose?
Measure the recess and mounting surface, then check your actual registration at full legal character size and spacing. Character count is only a starting point. If the chosen width produces a scaling warning, choose a larger plate for road use.
Will short plates fit plastic plate clips?
Only consider clips if the plate can be manufactured to 109mm tall and the holder grips it securely. Short plates are otherwise not compatible with plastic plate clips. We recommend sticky pads instead. Fitting guide.
What documents do I need to order?
Proof of identity (driving licence or passport) and proof of entitlement (V5C logbook). We collect these after checkout. Documents guide.
Which short plate size do I need?
Choose between 470mm, 406mm and 356mm widths only after checking your registration, full legal spacing and margins. Measure the car's recess too; a plate that fits the car must also fit the registration legally. Our measuring guide walks through it with a tape measure.
Are short number plates legal for MOT?
Yes, provided the characters are full legal size with the correct spacing and margins. A short plate is just a narrower plate with the same rules. See short number plate rules.
How much do short number plates cost?
From £34.97 a pair with printed characters. 3D gel and 4D short plates are priced in the grid on this page. Tracked delivery is £3.99.
Do you make short plates near me?
Every plate is made in our West Yorkshire workshop and posted nationwide, usually next working day. Design online, upload your V5C and driving licence, and the plates arrive by tracked post.
Can I have a short plate on the front and a full-size plate on the rear?
Yes, and it is a common combination: short on the front where the bumper is narrow, full size or square on the rear. Front and rear do not have to match. See do front and rear plates have to match.