How to Measure Wheel Bolt Pattern: A Simple Guide

There are many essential wheel specifications you need to consider when changing wheels. And one of the most important ones is the bolt pattern. To get a perfect fit, you need to measure the wheel bolt pattern on both your old and new wheels and make sure they match.

Thankfully, measuring a bolt pattern is pretty simple. With the help of a ruler or a special gauge, you can accurately measure it. But there are slightly different methods depending on the number of bolts in your wheel. Don't worry, we will give instructions for both odd-numbered and even-numbered patterns.

Most Common Bolt Patterns & Their Applications

A bolt pattern is a measurement that you can take if you draw an imaginary circle through each hole, meant for lug bolts or studs. The tricky part is that these bolt patterns are not universal. They differ from one car to another.

You cannot stumble blindly into choosing new wheels. The bolt pattern has to match exactly because, otherwise, it will be unable to fulfill its purpose. Lug nuts (or studs depending on the car make and model) are meant to secure the wheel in place. Whenever your car moves or just stands idly, these bolts carry the weight of the entire vehicle.

What Tools Are Used to Measure Bolt Patterns?

Measuring your bolt pattern is no rocket science, and actually, you can just use whatever measuring tool you have. But the past and the most accurate is a so-called bolt pattern gauge.

They can be made of plastic or lightweight metal. They are not expensive and cost around $10, frequently less than that. And I personally recommend buying this tool to make your life easier and your measurements precise.

What Size Is My Bolt Pattern?

If you need to know the bolt pattern size of your wheels, there are two options. You can look it up in the manual or measure them. Each car model has a specific bolt pattern assigned to it, and you can find this information inside your owner's manual.

But if, for instance, you have some modifications, for just unsure, you can measure the pattern on your wheels using a special gauge. The most common method is to measure the distance from the middle of one lug hole to the middle of the hole across from it.

You must know the exact size of your wheels' bolt pattern because otherwise, the new wheels will not fit. It's important to avoid any vibration and fitment issues. The tremendous strain that you're wheels are constantly going through, combined with poor fitment, will get you in trouble. That is, if you manage to put the wheels on.

How to Measure a 4-lug Bolt Pattern?

A 4-lug bolt pattern is pretty easy to measure. All you need to do is get your trusty bolt pattern gauge and carefully measure the distance from center to center of two opposite lugs.

It is common for the even-numbered bolt patterns to have lug holes directly across each other. This configuration makes it much easier to measure the size.

To get a PCD or pitch center diameter of your wheel bolt pattern, you need to know the distance between the centers of two opposite lug holes and the number of lugs in the pattern. So, if you have a 4-lug pattern and the opposite lugs are 100mm apart from each other, your PCD is 4x100.

See? Very simple.

How to Measure a 5-lug Bolt Pattern?

It's not like measuring an odd-numbered bolt pattern is somehow more difficult. It just takes a little different approach.

An even-numbered pattern has lug holes directly across each other. But it doesn't work like that in an odd-numbered pattern at all.

To get a 5-lug bolt pattern size, you need to start measuring from the back side of one look bolt down to the center of the third lug.

You know, like when you have to tighten the lock nuts in a star shape, the same way you measure the distance between almost opposite lugs. The star shape should help you pick the right lug nut pair for measurement.

How to Measure a 6-lug Bolt Pattern?

A 6-lug bolt pattern can be measured in a similar way as a 4-lug bolt pattern. It is also an even-numbered pattern. And all you need to do is choose a pair of opposite lug holes and measure the distance between their centers.

This boat pattern is extremely common in Chevy vehicles. You can find it across many model years. It can be considered a standard. And the diameter of this circle is usually 5.5 inches.

How to Measure an 8-lug Bolt Pattern?

Yes, you guessed it. Measuring an 8-lug bolt pattern is no different from the previous even-numbered lug patterns.

All it takes is measuring the distance between the centers of the opposite luck holes. Usually, this bolt pattern has a bolt circle measurement of 6.5 inches. It's pretty common for many vehicles, actually, mostly large trucks by Ford, GMC, Dodge, and Chevrolet.

Are All Bolt Patterns the Same?

The bolt pattern depends on the make, model year and even trim level. It's not impossible for the same vehicle to have different bold patterns in different trims. It's a rare occasion but it happens, so keep it in mind.

Although there are no universal bulb patterns, most vehicles have standard bolt parent sizes. But some options are still possible.

The distance between the opposite lug nuts tends to be standardized across the industry for utility reasons. Standard products are easier to manufacture and sell. It's a great opportunity to make interchangeable wheels between mono's with the same make and so on.

But then again, different bolt patterns serve their unique purposes. Wheels are engineered specifically for certain tasks. Some patterns are better at securing the wheel under stress. Others are just elegant in their simplicity and function.

Does the Bolt Pattern Have to Be Exact?

Of course, the bolt pattern on your new wheels has to be an exact match to your original wheels. It's necessary for your safety and the vehicle's performance. You must understand that the wheel both pattern size has to perfectly match the drilled holes on the hub. If there are any discrepancies, mounting the wheel can damage the hub.

Poor wheel fitment leads to safety concerns. Once there is a mismatched wheel, there will be vibration and instability that can lead to bad handling and control. Not to mention that you can lose your wheel.

Another important concern is braking. When your vehicle brakes, the force that stops the wheel from spinning can rip the lug holes apart when the bolt pattern sizes don't match.

Even a small difference in size can lead to irreparable damage. When you forcibly install wheels with the wrong bolt pattern, you put too much stress on the hub and the wheel, prompting deterioration and other problems.

But the hub is not the only thing that can get damaged in the process. In fact, your wheel bearings and suspension are at risk too. They will experience faster wear.

And let's not forget about the legal issues. The people who grant warranties hate modifications and DIY projects. They see them in their nightmares.

If you want to install wheels with the wrong bolt pattern, you can affect your warranty. And not a good way. If you put incompatible parts in your car that can avoid certain conditions of the warranty.

Will Different Bolt Patterns Fit On?

Normally, wheels are meant for one and only bolt pattern and size. But that would be boring for the aftermarket wheels, wouldn't it?

A good set of wheels must be compatible with the car's specifications, like the number of lugs in a pattern and the size. But some aftermarket we will manufacturers managed to create universal wheels. These unique wheels can fit different bolt patterns. And so, they can fit multiple different vehicles.

These wheels are usually called dual-drilled bolt pattern wheels. As the name suggests, they have two different bolt patterns drilled into them. They do not fit just any car model. But as long as one of the drilled patterns matches the hub, you can install these wheels.

But I must warn you if you want to buy dual-drilled wheels, choose only from reputable manufacturers with warranty and history. Such wheels will be reliable and safe.

Moreover, you can drill new holes into your existing wheels to match the bolt better. But that can only be done by a seasoned professional was special equipment and expertise. It's not a great idea to do it on your own. This modification can easily compromise the integrity of your wheel and undermine your safety on the road.

Are Bolt Patterns Written Only in Millimeters?

No, bolt patterns can be expressed in both millimeters (mm) and inches (in). The format used depends on the country of origin and the manufacturer's preference. In most cases, bolt patterns are written in both millimeters and inches to provide clarity for a wider audience.

For example, the bolt pattern "5x114.3" indicates that there are 5 bolt holes arranged in a circle with a diameter of 114.3 millimeters, and it's also equivalent to a 5-bolt pattern with a 4.5-inch diameter circle.

Similarly, "6x139.7 (6x5.5)" indicates a 6-bolt pattern with a diameter of 139.7 millimeters, and it's also equivalent to a 6-bolt pattern with a 5.5-inch diameter circle.

When dealing with bolt patterns, it's essential to be familiar with both millimeters and inches, as various wheel manufacturers and vehicle models may use either measurement system.

How Do I Know What Bolt Pattern I Need?

It's pretty simple to tell, actually. The easiest way to do this is to look and your OEM wheels. That's where you can get the number of lug bolts and the size.

You can also look it up in your owner's manual. This is crucial information, so you can always find it in wheel specs. It's there to make sure that you can pick the right replacement parts if something ever happens with your stock wheels.

Alternatively, you can use an online database like Autofiles.com and Wheelssize.com. Just find a trustworthy source of information for reference. But don't forget to filter by make, model, year and trim level. All these factors can affect the correct bolt pattern specifications.

Can You Change a Wheel Bolt Pattern?

It is not recommended to change your bolt patterns for safety reasons. First of all your warranty will likely not be fond of your decision. And secondly, any wheel modifications come with certain risks. Just remember that will fitment is not just a cosmetic issue, it's more of a safety feature than anything else.

Changing bolt patterns usually requires drilling new holes into the wheel or, God forbid, your hub. That is a serious structural change that can undermine structural integrity and cause accidents.

If you don't want to drill anything there's another option, wheel adapters. They will have you fit wheels with a different bolt pattern without any new holes. But still, some car mechanics don't like adapters at all.

The main concern with them is durability. They are often made of less-than-perfect materials and can cause major safety concerns. Especially when your car is on the larger side of the spectrum and deals with heavy loads or wrapped terrains.