How to Measure Wheel Bolt Pattern

When you’re ready to start shopping for new wheels, one of the most basic pieces of information you’ll need to know is the bolt pattern on your vehicle. How do you know what size and pattern you need? And how do you find the right one for your vehicle?

Let’s start with how wheels are listed and sold. A standard bolt pattern will start with the number of studs you’re mounting your wheels to – 4- 5- 6- or 8-lug. This part is easy to sort out. Just count the number of studs on your ride.

With that information, you’ve got the first part of your bolt pattern worked out. The number of studs should always be the preliminary step of researching the bolt pattern, which you’ll see on any product listing.

In this case, you know that you’ve got a 6-lug wheel, but what is that second number? That’s the diameter of the circle formed by the centers of the wheel lugs. It can appear in either inches or millimeters, so be sure you know which one you’re looking at.

Bolt patterns in 4- 6- and 8-lug can be measured by going from the center of a stud to the center of the stud directly across from it. A 5-lug bolt pattern is a little more difficult to measure, but you can easily do that by following the diagram below.

Measuring your bolt pattern isn’t difficult, but it is critically important to get it right when you are choosing new wheels. If you have any questions about the process, or you’d like some expert advice, we’re always here to help.

Feel free to call our team at (866) 961-8668, and we’ll get you on the road with your new wheels in no time.