Ultimate Wheel Bolt Pattern Guide

1 What Is Wheel Bolt Pattern?

The wheel bolt pattern is also known as ‘Bolt Circle’ or ‘Pitch Circle Diameter (PCD)’, which is the layout for the mounting holes on the vehicle wheel. The bolt pattern forms an imaginary diameter to a circle formed by the centers of the wheel lugs.

The wheel lugs help keep the wheels secured to the vehicle. These can range from 3 to 8 in number and spread evenly around the center hub or the wheel and axle. Thus, the wheel bolt pattern determines the type of wheel, its width, and proper fit, as per the required specifications.

2 Wheel Bolt Pattern Notations

While counting the number of wheel bolts looks easy, that alone is not going to be sufficient to determine the wheel bolt pattern. This is because, even if two wheels have the same bolt pattern, the size, shape and diameter can vary greatly, which can result in wheels that don’t fit. Therefore it becomes imperative to follow the manufacturer’s bolt pattern specifications.

Bolt Pattern is expressed by the combination of two numbers in its notation. The first one shows the number of lugs, and the second indicates the diameter of the imaginary circle formed by the center points of each lug.

For Example, 4 x 3.93 inches or 4 x 100 millimeters

• The number ’4’ indicates the number of lugs.
• Number ‘3.93 inches’ or ‘100 millimeters’ indicates the diameter.

The following are the measurements to equal bolt pattern sizes for a pattern with standard 4 and 5 lug wheels.

3 How To Measure Wheel Bolt Pattern?

One of the most important pieces of the puzzle when looking for a new set of wheels for your vehicle is knowing the bolt pattern. So, how do you know what size and pattern to select, and how to find the right set for your vehicle?

The first step as discussed earlier is the counting of the number of studs on which the wheel will get mounted. This is usually a number among 3, 4, 5, 6, or 8.

4 What Are Uni-Lug Wheels and Dual Bolt Pattern Wheels?

Uni-Lug Pattern Wheels

These are the type of wheels that can fit more than one bolt pattern. Such wheels use special ‘oval-shaped washers, having centered or offset holes, to accommodate the size of the bolt properly. This wheel requires a shank-style lug nut to hold the wheel on. The three most popular bolt patterns that can use Uni-Lug wheels are 5 x 4 1/2 in., 5 x 4 3/4 in., and 5 x 5 in.

• The offset washer, with the hole positioned inward, is used for a 4 1/2 in. bolt pattern.
• The centered washer is used for a 4 3/4 in. bolt pattern.
• The offset washer, with the hole positioned outward, is used for a 5 in. bolt pattern.

Dual Bolt Pattern Wheels

5 What Is Wheel Hub Center Bore?

The center hole of the wheel that aligns with the center of the wheel hub at the time of mounting relates to the wheel hub center bore. While ideally there should be a perfect fit between the wheel and the hub centers, many manufacturers make wheels having a larger center bore, to fit several types of vehicles. Since this practice is common, many wheels require hub rings to close the gap between the larger sized wheel bore and the smaller hub bore.

Hub Rings fit between the wheel and the vehicle and are made using hard plastic or metal. These rings ensure a secure fit between the hub and the wheel and avoid any run-out at the time of installation. In the absence of hub rings, the wheel may not get installed correctly and you might face some vibrations, even if the tire assembly seems perfectly balanced.

6 What Is Wheel Offset?

The Wheel Offset is basically the measurement of the distance between the centerline and the hub mounting surface of the wheel. This distance explains how much the wheel gets stuck out or sucked in from the wheel mounting surface of the hub. Traditionally, this measurement is also performed by using the difference between the centerline and the backspacing of the wheel.

The wheel offset is measured in inches or millimeters and explains the overall wheel dynamics. This is because different wheel offset results in different performances and security aspects. Thus, it is always important to research well and choose the correct wheel with the required offset, especially when you are looking for customizations and aftermarket purchases, ignoring the company-fitted standard wheel measurements along with the correct bolt pattern. Learn More About Wheel Offset here.

Bolt Pattern Torque Sequence / Specifications

It is advised to re-torque the wheels after every 100 Km to 150 Km (60 to 90 miles) of the drive.

7 Wheel Studs Versus Wheel Bolts

Working

• Wheel Studs: Studs are mounted to the hub, sticking out beyond the brake rotor hat. The wheel gets mounted on the studs using lugs that screw onto them. This type of application is easy as the studs hold all the components in place, all the time.
• Wheel Bolts: Bolts are majorly used on German-built cars, using a threaded stem attached to a head that matches the wheel insert. It works in reverse order than studs and goes through the rotor hat, into the hub, locking everything in place. Every time you dismount and mount, the rotor and hub have to also be realigned. This is because, without the bolts, the rotor revolves freely.

Application

• Wheel Studs: Offer easier alignment, along with faster mounting and dismounting. It also allows the use of different width spacers without changing stud length.
• Wheel Bolts: Poses a greater threat of cross-threading and the fix is much more difficult and expensive. Also, using spacers will require you to change the bolt lengths to account for the added width of the spacers.

Torque Consistency

• Wheel Studs: Studs have a more consistent torque when using nuts, as the interface between the nut and stud threads is always the same.
• Wheel Bolts: Bolts require more torque during installation to overcome the friction between the hub and the bolt. Thus, as more threads engage, more torque is required to insert the bolt. This causes inconsistent stretching and can cause fatigue and shearing of the bolt.

Cost

• Wheel Studs: The stud application contains three parts; the hub, stud, and nut. This may sound costly, but prove to be cheaper to repair and replace when installing new wheels.
• Wheel Bolts: The bolt application has two parts; the hub and the bolt. Although cheaper initially, they cost more when you want to change to new wheels, and sometimes finding the right bolts can become very difficult.

8 FAQs

How to measure lug pattern?

To measure the lug pattern of a wheel, you need to count the number of bolts on the wheel and measure the diameter of a circle that runs through the center of each bolt. Here are the steps to measure the bolt pattern:

1. Park the vehicle and turn off the engine. You don’t want your vehicle or trailer to move while you’re measuring the bolt pattern! Park it in a flat area and engage the emergency brake so it’s stable and won’t move.
2. Use a screwdriver to remove the hubcap from one of the tires. The wheels on your vehicle may have a cap over the hub that covers and protects the lug nuts. Take a flat-head screwdriver and wedge it in between the outer edge of the hubcap and the rim. Apply gentle pressure to pry off the hubcap.
3. Count all of the bolts in the pattern. In the center of the wheel, you’ll see a circle of large, rounded nuts covering heavy-duty bolts. These are the lug nuts and they keep the wheel attached to your vehicle. Count the total number of bolts with lug nuts that you see.
4. Measure the distance between two parallel lug nuts for wheels with an even number of bolts. If your wheel has an even number of bolts, then take a tape measure and measure from the center of one lug nut to the center of the lug nut directly across from it.

If you have a wheel with an odd number of bolts, you can use a bolt pattern gauge or a complicated geometric equation to measure the bolt pattern.

How to measure rim bolt pattern?

To measure the bolt pattern of a rim, you need to count the number of bolts on the rim and measure the distance between two parallel lug nuts. Here are the steps to measure the bolt pattern:

1. Remove the wheel from the vehicle and place it on a flat surface.
2. Count the number of bolts on the rim. Most rims have either 4, 5, 6, or 8 lug holes.
3. Measure the distance between two parallel lug nuts for wheels with an even number of bolts. If your wheel has an even number of bolts, then take a tape measure and measure from the center of one lug nut to the center of the lug nut directly across from it. If your wheel has an odd number of bolts, you can use a bolt pattern gauge or a complicated geometric equation to measure the bolt pattern.

Please note that the wheel bolt pattern and rim bolt pattern are not the same thing. The wheel bolt pattern is the measured diameter of an imaginary circle formed by the centers of the wheel studs or bolt holes. On the other hand, the rim bolt pattern is the distance between the bolt holes on the rim. The bolt pattern of the wheel and the bolt pattern of the rim must match in order to fit properly.

What bolt pattern is my car?

To determine the bolt pattern of your car, you can use a bolt pattern tool to find bolt patterns for any vehicle. Select a year, make, model, and option from the drop-downs to find the bolt patterns for your vehicle. You can also measure the bolt pattern yourself by counting the number of bolts on the wheel and measuring the diameter of a circle that runs through the center of each bolt. Here are the steps to measure the bolt pattern:

1. Park the vehicle and turn off the engine. You don’t want your vehicle or trailer to move while you’re measuring the bolt pattern! Park it in a flat area and engage the emergency brake so it’s stable and won’t move.
2. Use a screwdriver to remove the hubcap from one of the tires. The wheels on your vehicle may have a cap over the hub that covers and protects the lug nuts. Take a flat-head screwdriver and wedge it in between the outer edge of the hubcap and the rim. Apply gentle pressure to pry off the hubcap.
3. Count all of the bolts in the pattern. In the center of the wheel, you’ll see a circle of large, rounded nuts covering heavy-duty bolts. These are the lug nuts and they keep the wheel attached to your vehicle. Count the total number of bolts with lug nuts that you see.
4. Measure the distance between two parallel lug nuts for wheels with an even number of bolts. If your wheel has an even number of bolts, then take a tape measure and measure from the center of one lug nut to the center of the lug nut directly across from it.

If you have a wheel with an odd number of bolts, you can use a bolt pattern gauge or a complicated geometric equation to measure the bolt pattern.

How to measure lug nut size?

To measure the size of a lug nut, you can use a ruler or caliper to measure the width of the threads on the lug bolt. Alternatively, you can bring the nut to a hardware store and compare it to loose bolts with marked sizes. The most common lug nut sizes in use today are 10mm x 1.25, 12mm x 1.5, and 14mm x 1.5. You can also refer to your vehicle owner’s manual for thread dimensions.

How to measure car rims?

To measure the size of a car rim, you need to measure the diameter and width of the rim, the bolt pattern, and the offset and backspacing. Here are the steps to measure the rim:

1. Remove the tire from the rim and place the rim on a flat surface.
2. Measure the diameter of the rim. Place the hook of a measuring tape on the outside of the rim’s lip and pull the tape across the rim to the opposite side. Look at the measuring tape at the edge of the lip to find your rim’s outer diameter.
3. Measure the width of the rim. Place the hook of the measuring tape on the inside of the rim’s lip and pull the tape across the rim to the opposite side. Look at the measuring tape at the edge of the lip to find your rim’s width.
4. Measure the bolt pattern of the rim. Count the number of bolts on the rim and measure the distance between two parallel lug nuts. If your wheel has an even number of bolts, then take a tape measure and measure from the center of one lug nut to the center of the lug nut directly across from it. If your wheel has an odd number of bolts, you can use a bolt pattern gauge or a complicated geometric equation to measure the bolt pattern.
5. Measure the offset of the rim. The offset is the distance between the centerline of the rim and the mounting surface of the hub. Place the rim on a flat surface and measure the distance from the hub mounting surface to the centerline of the rim.
6. Measure the backspacing of the rim. The backspacing is the distance between the hub mounting surface and the inside edge of the rim. Place the rim on a flat surface and measure the distance from the hub mounting surface to the inside edge of the rim.

How to measure lug spacing?

To measure the lug spacing of a wheel, you can measure the diameter of an imaginary circle that runs through the center of each bolt. Here are the steps to measure the lug spacing:

1. Park the vehicle and turn off the engine. You don’t want your vehicle or trailer to move while you’re measuring the lug spacing! Park it in a flat area and engage the emergency brake so it’s stable and won’t move.
2. Use a screwdriver to remove the hubcap from one of the tires. The wheels on your vehicle may have a cap over the hub that covers and protects the lug nuts. Take a flat-head screwdriver and wedge it in between the outer edge of the hubcap and the rim. Apply gentle pressure to pry off the hubcap.
3. Count all of the bolts in the pattern. In the center of the wheel, you’ll see a circle of large, rounded nuts covering heavy-duty bolts. These are the lug nuts and they keep the wheel attached to your vehicle. Count the total number of bolts with lug nuts that you see.
4. Measure the distance between two parallel lug nuts for wheels with an even number of bolts. If your wheel has an even number of bolts, then take a tape measure and measure from the center of one lug nut to the center of the lug nut directly across from it. If your wheel has an odd number of bolts, you can use a bolt pattern gauge or a complicated geometric equation to measure the bolt pattern.

Please note that the bolt pattern and lug pattern are not the same thing. The bolt pattern is the diameter of an imaginary circle formed by the centers of the wheel studs or bolt holes. On the other hand, the lug pattern refers to the arrangement of the lug nuts on the wheel. The bolt pattern of the wheel and the bolt pattern of the rim must match in order to fit properly.

How to measure wheel hub size?

To measure the size of a wheel hub, you need to measure the diameter of the hub. Here are the steps to measure the hub:

1. Place a tape measure across the face of the exposed wheel hub, which protrudes out from the center of the drum brake assembly.
2. Take the measurement across the front of the hub, which is the diameter of the hub.
3. Make sure your tape measure intersects the center of the hub.

Please note that the wheel bolt pattern and rim bolt pattern are not the same thing. The wheel bolt pattern is the measured diameter of an imaginary circle formed by the centers of the wheel studs or bolt holes. On the other hand, the rim bolt pattern is the distance between the bolt holes on the rim. The bolt pattern of the wheel and the bolt pattern of the rim must match in order to fit properly.

How are lug nuts measured?

Lug nuts are measured by their thread size and pitch. The thread size is the outer diameter of the lug nut stud that holds the wheel and is connected to the hub. The pitch is the number of threads per length. Lug nut thread sizes are available in standard dimensions for easy fitment. Examples of standard thread sizes are: 10 mm, 12 mm and 14 mm (metric measurement) and 7/16″, 1/2″ and 5/8″ (Imperial thread measurement). The length of the lug nut is also important as it should complete specific thread engagements for the wheel to tighten.

How to measure center bore?

To measure the center bore of a wheel, you need to measure the diameter of the hole in the center of the wheel that fits over the hub of your car. Here are the steps to measure the center bore:

1. Remove the wheel from the vehicle and place it on a flat surface.
2. Measure the diameter of the center bore using a caliper or measuring tape.
3. Make sure your measurement is accurate and precise to ensure the wheel fits properly on your car.

How to measure PCD?

To measure the Pitch Circle Diameter (PCD) of a wheel, you need to measure the diameter of the circle that passes through the center of all the studs, wheel bolts or wheel rim holes. Here are the steps to measure the PCD:

1. Identify the size of the rim or tire size. This helps to narrow down the likely PCD sizes.
2. Measure the distance ‘S’ between two adjacent studs from the center of each hole.
3. Using the calculator, enter the number of studs/holes & ‘S’ and press ‘calculate’.
4. Using the relevant diagram depending on the number of studs you have, you should be able to identify the correct PCD.

The PCD can also be calculated by using some simple formulas depending on how many studs, wheel bolts or bolt holes there are. If ‘S’ is the distance between two adjacent studs/bolts or holes (measured in millimeters) then the PCD would be:

• 4 studs/bolts or Holes = S ÷ 0.7071
• 5 studs/bolts or Holes = S ÷ 0.5878
• 6 studs/bolts or Holes = S ÷ 0.5

Please note that PCD measurements vary depending on the application. For European caravans and trailers, the popular pitch circle diameters are:

• Imperial = 4″, 5½” and 6½”
• Metric = 100mm, 112mm, 115mm, 130mm, 140mm, and 205mm