Wheel Sizes: Diameter, Width, Bolt Pattern and Offset
Five measurements decide whether a wheel fits: diameter, width, bolt pattern, offset and center bore. Here is what each one means, the common values by make, and how to measure them on the car.
A wheel marked 17x7.5 ET45 5x114.3 is 17 in (432 mm) in diameter and 7.5 in (191 mm) wide at the bead seats, with a +45 mm offset and 5 lug holes on a 114.3 mm (4.5 in) circle. A replacement must match the bolt pattern and center bore exactly and stay within a few millimeters of the original offset.
- Diameter
- 17 in (432 mm)
- Width
- 7.5 in (191 mm)
- Bolt pattern
- 5 × 114.3 mm
- Backspacing
- 6.0 in (153 mm)
On this page
How to read a wheel size
Most of these figures are cast or stamped on the back of a spoke or inside the barrel. A full marking looks like 17x7.5J ET45 5x114.3 CB60.1.
| Marking | Example | What it measures |
|---|---|---|
| Diameter | 17 | Diameter at the bead seat, where the tire seals, in inches. Not the outside lip, which is about 1 in larger. |
| Width | 7.5 | Distance between the bead seats in inches. The outside of the rim flanges is about 1 in wider (8.5 in here). |
| Flange | J | Rim flange profile. J is standard for cars; JJ and K appear on some SUVs and trucks. |
| Offset | ET45 | Distance in mm from the wheel's centerline to the hub mounting face. Positive = face toward the outside. |
| Bolt pattern | 5x114.3 | Number of studs × diameter of the circle through their centers (PCD) in mm |
| Center bore | CB60.1 | Diameter of the center hole in mm, which should match the hub pilot |
The wheel diameter must match the last number of the tire size, so a 17x7.5 wheel takes a tire ending in R17. How diameter, width and aspect ratio combine into overall height is covered in the tire size guide.
Bolt pattern chart by make
Patterns are given in millimeters with the inch equivalent where the pattern was designed in inches. These are the patterns used on current and recent mainstream models; older generations and some trims differ, so confirm with your owner's manual or by measuring.
| Bolt pattern | Inches | Used on (examples) | Hub bore | Lug thread |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5x114.3 | 5x4.5 | Toyota and Honda cars and crossovers, Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Ford Mustang, Tesla Model 3 and Y | 60.1 (Toyota), 64.1 (Honda, Tesla), 66.1 (Nissan), 67.1 (Hyundai, Kia) | M12x1.5 (Nissan: M12x1.25; Tesla: M14x1.5) |
| 5x112 | n/a | Volkswagen, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, BMW (2019+ models) | 57.1 (VW, Audi), 66.6 (Mercedes) | M14x1.5 bolts |
| 5x120 | n/a | Older BMW models, Chevrolet Camaro (2016+), Tesla Model S and X | 72.6 (BMW) | M12x1.5 / M14x1.25 bolts (BMW) |
| 5x100 | n/a | Older Subaru and Volkswagen models, some older Toyota compacts | 56.1 (Subaru), 57.1 (VW) | M12x1.25 (Subaru) |
| 5x127 | 5x5 | Jeep Wrangler (JK, JL), Jeep Gladiator | 71.5 | M14x1.5 |
| 6x139.7 | 6x5.5 | Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500, Ram 1500 (2019+), Toyota Tacoma, 4Runner, Tundra (2022+), Nissan Frontier | 78.1 (GM), 77.8 (Ram), 106.1 (Tacoma) | M14x1.5 (GM, Ram), M12x1.5 (Tacoma) |
| 6x135 | n/a | Ford F-150 (2004+), Ford Expedition | 87.1 | M14x2.0 |
| 5x150 | n/a | Toyota Tundra (2007-2021), Land Cruiser 200 | 110.1 | M14x1.5 |
| 8x165.1 | 8x6.5 | Ram 2500/3500, older GM heavy-duty pickups | Check model | M14x1.5 |
| 8x170 | n/a | Ford Super Duty (2005+) | 124.9 | M14x2.0 |
| 8x180 | n/a | Chevrolet and GMC 2500/3500 HD (2011+) | 124.1 | M14x1.5 |
Trucks with large bolt circles carry heavier loads, which is also why trailer wheels use their own patterns (5x4.5 and 6x5.5 are both common on trailers, as explained in the trailer tire guide).
How to measure a bolt pattern
- Count the studs. The first number of the pattern is the stud count.
- 4, 6 or 8 studs: measure center to center between two studs directly opposite each other.
- 5 studs: no stud sits directly opposite another. Measure from the center of one stud to the outer edge of the farthest stud across from it. This approximates the circle diameter to within about 1 mm.
- Compare with the chart. 114.3 and 112 are only 2.3 mm apart, and 5x120 and 5x4.75 (120.65 mm) are under 1 mm apart, so a tape measure cannot separate them reliably. Use a bolt-pattern gauge or the vehicle spec.
Offset and backspacing
Offset decides where the wheel sits in the wheel well. Higher positive offset tucks the wheel inward; lower or negative offset pushes it out toward the fender.
- Positive offset (ET35 to ET55): nearly all front-wheel-drive cars and crossovers.
- Low offset (ET0 to ET25): common on body-on-frame trucks and SUVs.
- Negative offset (ET-12 to ET-44): aftermarket off-road wheels designed to poke out past the fenders.
Backspacing is the distance from the mounting face to the inner edge of the rim, measured in inches. It tells you directly how much room the wheel takes up toward the suspension. To convert:
- Find the overall width. Rim width + 1 in. A 7.5 in wheel is about 8.5 in across the flanges.
- Halve it. 8.5 ÷ 2 = 4.25 in to the centerline.
- Add the offset in inches. 45 mm ÷ 25.4 = 1.77 in. Backspacing = 4.25 + 1.77 = 6.02 in (153 mm).
| Wheel width | ET-12 | ET0 | ET20 | ET35 | ET45 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 in | 3.53 | 4.00 | 4.79 | 5.38 | 5.77 |
| 7.5 in | 3.78 | 4.25 | 5.04 | 5.63 | 6.02 |
| 8 in | 4.03 | 4.50 | 5.29 | 5.88 | 6.27 |
| 8.5 in | 4.28 | 4.75 | 5.54 | 6.13 | 6.52 |
| 9 in | 4.53 | 5.00 | 5.79 | 6.38 | 6.77 |
When you change width and offset together, compare the inner edges (backspacing) and outer edges separately. Going from 7.5 in ET45 to 8.5 in ET35, the inner edge moves 0.11 in inward (6.02 to 6.13 in) and the outer edge moves 0.89 in outward. The new wheel needs fender room, not suspension room.
Wheel width and the tires it accepts
Each tire size has an approved rim-width range set by the TRA and ETRTO. A tire on a rim at the narrow end bulges more; at the wide end it stretches flatter. Approximate ranges for 45-70 series tires:
| Tire width | Rim width range | Measuring rim |
|---|---|---|
| 195 mm | 5.5-7.0 in | 6.0 in |
| 205 mm | 5.5-7.5 in | 6.5 in |
| 215 mm | 6.0-7.5 in | 6.5-7.0 in |
| 225 mm | 6.0-8.0 in | 7.0 in |
| 235 mm | 6.5-8.5 in | 7.0-7.5 in |
| 245 mm | 7.0-8.5 in | 7.5 in |
| 265 mm | 7.5-9.5 in | 8.0 in |
| 285 mm | 8.0-10.0 in | 8.5-9.0 in |
Ranges shift slightly with aspect ratio, so check the exact size in the tire maker's spec table before buying a wheel at either end.
Center bore, hub-centric rings and lug nuts
- Hub-centric wheels have a center bore that matches the hub pilot exactly, so the hub carries the load and centers the wheel. Factory wheels are made this way.
- Lug-centric aftermarket wheels have an oversized bore (often 72.6 or 73.1 mm) to fit many cars. A plastic or aluminum hub-centric ring fills the gap, for example 73.1 to 60.1 mm for a Toyota. A wheel bore smaller than the hub will not mount at all.
- Lug seat: nuts and bolts come with a 60° conical seat (most aftermarket wheels), a ball/radius seat (Honda, VW, Audi factory wheels) or a flat seat with washer (Toyota factory alloys). The wrong seat contacts the wheel on a thin ring and can loosen.
- Torque: most cars and crossovers specify 76-100 lb-ft (103-136 N·m); half-ton and heavy-duty pickups commonly specify 130-165 lb-ft (176-224 N·m). Use the figure in your manual and re-torque after the first 50-100 miles on new wheels.
Wheel diameter: what changes when you go bigger
Factory wheel sizes have grown steadily. Base compact cars now start at 15-16 in, most crossovers ride on 17-19 in, and many pickups and large SUVs on 18-22 in. Fitting a larger wheel at the same overall tire diameter shortens the sidewall:
| Wheel | Tire | Sidewall height | Overall diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 in | 225/65R17 | 5.8 in (146 mm) | 28.5 in (724 mm) |
| 18 in | 225/60R18 | 5.3 in (135 mm) | 28.6 in (727 mm) |
| 19 in | 225/55R19 | 4.9 in (124 mm) | 28.7 in (730 mm) |
The shorter sidewall sharpens steering response, but it also passes more road impact to the rim and suspension, and pothole damage to the wheel becomes more likely. Larger wheels are also usually heavier, which adds unsprung weight. A larger brake package may require a minimum wheel size, so a car with big brakes cannot always go down a size for a winter set.
What to check before buying wheels
Must match exactly
- Bolt pattern (stud count and circle)
- Center bore, or use the right hub-centric ring
- Lug seat type and thread
- Load rating at least equal to the axle load ÷ 2
Can vary within limits
- Offset: within about ±5 mm of stock for no visible change
- Width: within the tire's approved rim range
- Diameter: if the tire keeps overall height within 3%
- Brake caliper clearance: check spoke shape on large brakes
For how wheel and tire size affect the vehicle's overall size and ground clearance, see the car dimensions guide. Off-road and powersports wheels follow different conventions, covered in the ATV tire guide and the motorcycle tire guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is 5x114.3 the same as 5x4.5?
Yes. 114.3 mm is exactly 4.5 in, so 5x114.3 and 5x4.5 are two names for the same bolt pattern. The same goes for 6x139.7 and 6x5.5, and 5x127 and 5x5.
Will 5x112 wheels fit a 5x114.3 car?
Not safely without adapters. The 2.3 mm difference in circle diameter means the studs cannot center in the holes, so the wheel is clamped off-center and the lug nuts can loosen. Wobble bolts and adapters exist, but the correct fix is a wheel with the right pattern.
What does ET mean on a wheel?
ET is the German abbreviation for Einpresstiefe and gives the offset in millimeters. ET45 means the mounting face sits 45 mm outboard of the wheel's centerline. ET0 is zero offset and ET-12 is a negative offset that pushes the wheel 12 mm further out.
What is the most common wheel size?
Most new cars and crossovers leave the factory on 16 to 19 inch wheels, while pickups and large SUVs mostly use 17 to 22 inch. For bolt patterns, 5x114.3 is the one shared by the largest number of brands, covering most Japanese and Korean models plus several American ones.
Can I put wider wheels on my car?
Usually one size wider (about 0.5 to 1 in) works if the tire is within its approved rim range and the offset is adjusted to keep the inner clearance. A wheel 1 in wider at the same offset moves the inner and outer edges 0.5 in each way.