Small Mirror In A Car- What Is It Called? | Rearview Vs Vanity

You’ve seen it a thousand times, then one day you catch yourself thinking, “Wait… what’s that little mirror called?” Cars sneak in more than one “small mirror,” and each one has its own name based on where it sits and what it’s meant to show you.

This piece clears up the names people use (and the names parts stores use), so you can describe the right part, buy the right replacement, or explain the feature without sounding fuzzy. You’ll also learn a few terms that pop up on listings and repair invoices, plus some quick setup tips that make those mirrors work the way they’re supposed to.

Small Mirror In A Car- What Is It Called? Names By Location

Most “small mirror in a car” questions come down to one of these spots. Once you match the spot, the name snaps into place.

Center Mirror On The Windshield

The mirror mounted high on the windshield (or on the top edge of the windshield area) is the rearview mirror. You’ll also see it called an inside rearview mirror or interior rearview mirror in manuals and parts catalogs.

If it has a little tab you flip to cut headlight glare, it may be listed as a day/night rearview mirror (manual anti-glare). If it darkens on its own, it’s often labeled auto-dimming (sometimes described as electrochromic on technical listings).

Small Mirror That Flips Down From The Sun Visor

The small mirror tucked behind a sun visor is a vanity mirror. Many cars add a vanity mirror cover that slides or flips, and some have vanity lights beside it. If someone says “the little mirror by the passenger seat,” they often mean this one, since it’s within arm’s reach.

Mirrors On The Doors

The mirrors on the outside of the car (left and right) are the side mirrors. In parts listings, they’re commonly called outside rearview mirrors. You may also see “driver side” and “passenger side” used as shorthand.

If the glass has a slightly curved look, it may be labeled convex (wider view) or “wide-angle.” Some regions print a warning on the passenger side like “objects in mirror are closer than they appear,” which is tied to the curvature and viewing distance.

Tiny Stick-On Mirror In The Corner Of A Side Mirror

If you mean the little add-on disk or rectangle stuck onto a corner of the side mirror, that’s a blind spot mirror. People also call it a spot mirror or wide-angle add-on mirror. It’s small on purpose, trading size for a broader angle that helps you see into lanes beside you.

Small Mirror Aimed At Kids In The Back

In vans, SUVs, and some family-focused vehicles, you might see a small mirror mounted near the overhead area, aimed at the back seats. This is often sold as a rear seat observation mirror or conversation mirror. It’s not for traffic behind you; it’s for keeping an eye on passengers without turning around.

Small Car Mirror Names By Spot And Job

When you’re trying to name the mirror, think in two steps: where it sits, and what job it does. That’s how parts catalogs and service writers stay clear.

Interior Rearview Mirror

This is the “main” mirror inside the cabin. Its job is to show what’s behind you through the rear glass. It may include extras like a compass display, HomeLink buttons, an integrated garage control panel, or a housing for sensors and cameras depending on the vehicle.

Outside Rearview Mirror

These are the left and right door mirrors. Their job is side coverage: the lanes next to you, the edge of your car, and the space behind you at an angle. Many newer cars add heating, turn-signal indicators, power folding, memory settings, puddle lights, and blind spot warning icons.

Vanity Mirror

This is the visor mirror used for grooming. It’s small, close to your face, and designed for a different distance than driving mirrors. If you’re shopping for a replacement visor or visor insert, the listing may mention “with vanity mirror” or “without vanity mirror.” That detail matters, since the internal reinforcement and wiring can differ.

Blind Spot Mirror

This add-on mirror is nearly always convex. Some are round, others are rectangular, and some have a swivel joint so you can aim them. They help with lane-change checks, especially if your car’s side mirrors are small or your rear pillars are chunky.

Mirror Terms You’ll See On Listings And In Manuals

Mirror names get slippery when sellers stack features into the label. These terms help you decode what you’re seeing.

Day/Night Mirror

A day/night rearview mirror uses a manual lever to change reflectivity and cut glare from headlights behind you. If you see a listing that says “prismatic,” it’s often referring to this style of manual anti-glare construction.

Auto-Dimming Mirror

An auto-dimming rearview mirror darkens when it detects bright light behind you. Some cars also offer auto-dimming side mirrors. If your mirror has wiring and a small sensor window, it may be this type.

Convex And Aspheric Glass

Convex glass curves outward, giving a wider field of view. Aspheric glass uses two zones: a main zone that looks more “normal,” plus a wider-angle strip near the outer edge. That strip can shrink blind spots without making the whole mirror feel distorted.

Digital Rearview Mirror

Some vehicles replace the traditional reflective view with a camera feed displayed in the mirror housing. Listings may call it a “camera mirror” or “digital mirror.” These can help when cargo, passengers, or a tall rear headrest blocks the rear window.

How To Tell Which Small Mirror You Mean In Seconds

If you’re describing the mirror to a mechanic, a parts counter, or a friend, these quick checks keep you from mixing up terms.

• Is it attached to the windshield area? That’s the rearview mirror.
• Does it fold out of a sun visor? That’s the vanity mirror.
• Is it on the outside of the door? That’s a side mirror (outside rearview mirror).
• Is it a tiny add-on stuck to a side mirror? That’s a blind spot mirror.
• Is it aimed at the back seats? That’s a rear seat observation or conversation mirror.

When you’re ordering parts, use the location language too: “interior rearview mirror,” “driver-side outside rearview mirror,” or “passenger visor with vanity mirror.” That combo is hard to misread.

Common Car Mirrors And What They’re Called

The table below is the cheat sheet parts stores wish everyone carried in their pocket. Match the location first, then use the common name when you search.

Where It Sits	Common Name	What It’s Meant To Show
Top center of windshield area	Rearview mirror (interior)	Traffic behind you through the rear window
Behind the driver sun visor	Vanity mirror	Your face at close range
Behind the passenger sun visor	Vanity mirror	Your face at close range for the front passenger
Outside, driver door	Side mirror (outside rearview)	Left lane, shoulder, and the side of your car
Outside, passenger door	Side mirror (outside rearview)	Right lane, shoulder, and the side of your car
Stuck onto a corner of a side mirror	Blind spot mirror	Wider-angle view beside the car
Clipped over the interior rearview mirror	Wide-angle rearview mirror	Broader cabin-and-rear view, often for parking
Overhead, aimed at rear seats	Rear seat observation mirror	Kids or passengers in the back rows
Interior mirror housing with a screen	Digital rearview mirror	Camera view behind the vehicle

What The Rules Care About

Mirror names are one thing. Requirements are another. Safety rules generally focus on what you can see behind the vehicle and how the mirror (or camera system) performs, not the casual label people use.

In the United States, rear visibility rules for passenger vehicles are tied to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 111, which covers rear visibility systems and related requirements. If you want the official wording and scope, FMVSS No. 111 (Rear Visibility) lays out the standard and the kinds of systems it applies to.

If you’re adding a small blind spot mirror or swapping a visor with a vanity mirror, you’re usually changing convenience, not the core safety system. Still, replacements should fit securely and keep the driver’s view clear. A loose interior mirror that vibrates or droops is more than annoying; it steals attention at the wrong moments.

Picking The Right Replacement Without Guesswork

Shopping for a “small mirror” gets messy because sellers bundle features into one long product title. A mirror can look similar in photos, then show up with the wrong mount, the wrong connector, or a missing function you relied on.

Start With The Mount And Shape

Interior rearview mirrors usually attach in one of three ways: a button glued to the windshield, a stem that bolts to the roof area, or an integrated mount that works with a sensor/camera housing. Even within the same brand, the mounting style can change across model years.

Check For Wiring Before You Order

If your interior mirror has any of these features, it likely has a connector:

• Auto-dimming
• Integrated garage buttons
• Compass or temperature display
• Frameless mirror with sensors
• Camera-based display

Vanity mirrors can also involve wiring when there are vanity lights. A visor replacement that ignores that detail can leave you with dangling wires or dead lights.

Match The Glass Type On Side Mirrors

Side mirrors can be flat, convex, or split-zone. Heated glass, blind spot warning icons, and turn-signal indicators also change the correct part. If your passenger mirror has text printed on it, note that too. That printing often signals a specific glass curvature.

Common Fit Checks And Upgrade Options

This table helps you line up what you have with what you’re buying. It’s also handy when you’re deciding if an upgrade is worth it.

Mirror Type	What To Match	Upgrade Options People Choose
Interior rearview mirror	Mount style, wiring plug, mirror size	Auto-dimming, compass display, digital camera mirror
Day/night interior mirror	Manual flip tab and mounting stem/button	Swap to auto-dimming if wiring is available
Driver-side outside mirror	Housing shape, power adjust, heating	Power fold, puddle light, blind spot indicator
Passenger-side outside mirror	Glass curvature, text printing, heating	Aspheric glass, wider-angle glass insert
Blind spot mirror	Size, adhesive type, swivel range	Frameless low-profile styles, rectangular wide-angle
Vanity mirror in visor	Visor shape, clip style, light wiring	Lighted cover, dual mirrors (driver and passenger)
Rear seat observation mirror	Mount location, angle, vibration resistance	Wider dome view, clip-on designs for headrests

Getting Better Views With The Mirrors You Already Have

Even perfect mirrors don’t help if they’re aimed badly. A few small tweaks can clean up blind spots and cut stress during lane changes and merges.

Set The Interior Rearview Mirror First

Adjust the rearview mirror so you can see as much of the rear window as possible. Keep your head in your normal driving position. If you set it while leaning forward or slouching, you’ll chase the angle every time you sit down.

Aim Side Mirrors Wider Than Most People Think

Many drivers angle side mirrors so they can see a big slice of their own car. That feels safe, yet it wastes mirror real estate. Try nudging the mirrors outward until the side of your car is barely visible at the inner edge. You’ll still have a reference point, and you’ll gain more coverage of adjacent lanes.

If you want a trusted how-to from a safety group, AAA shares a clear breakdown of mirror positioning and blind spot reduction on its site. Their mirror adjustment tips for reducing blind spots walk through a practical setup that many drivers find easier to stick with.

Use Blind Spot Mirrors As A Helper, Not A Crutch

A blind spot mirror can be a nice add-on, especially on cars with thick rear pillars. Place it in the outer upper corner of the side mirror for a wide sweep of the next lane, then fine-tune the angle so it catches the zone your main mirror misses.

Still do a quick shoulder check. Tiny convex mirrors shrink objects, so it’s smart to treat them as an extra set of eyes, not the only set.

Plain-Language Answers People Use In Real Life

When someone asks, “Small mirror in a car—what is it called?” they’re often asking in casual terms, not catalog terms. Here are the everyday answers that usually land well:

• “The one in the middle?” Rearview mirror.
• “The one in the sun visor?” Vanity mirror.
• “The one on the door?” Side mirror.
• “The tiny one stuck on the corner?” Blind spot mirror.
• “The one to see the kids?” Rear seat observation mirror.

If you’re writing a listing, filing an insurance note, or ordering parts, use the longer form: “interior rearview mirror,” “passenger-side outside rearview mirror,” or “sun visor with vanity mirror.” It saves time and cuts mix-ups.