Determining the Bolt Pattern of Your Wheel

What is the bolt pattern?

The bolt pattern of a wheel tells us the number of lugs (or bolt holes) and the diameter of the circle the lugs sit on. For example, a 5 on 4-1/2" bolt pattern lets us know we need a wheel with 5 lugs that are spaced out evenly on a circle that has a 4-1/2" diameter.

How do I figure out the bolt pattern?

There are two methods of determining the bolt pattern on a wheel.

1. Use the number of lugs and the bolt circle:

• If there is an EVEN number of lugs:
  • Measure center-to-center on lugs directly across from each other
• If there is an ODD number of lugs:
  • Measure from the center of one lug to a point halfway between the two lugs directly opposite on the bolt circle
  • With an odd number of lugs, there is not a lug directly opposite any hole, so finding the circle diameter can be challenging

2. Use the distance between the center of one bolt hole to the center of the bolt hole adjacent to it:

• If the distance is:
  • 2-5/8" - the bolt pattern is 5 on 4-1/2
  • 2-3/4" - the bolt pattern is 5 on 4-3/4
  • 3" - the bolt pattern is 5 on 5
  • 3-1/4" - the bolt pattern is 5 on 5-1/2