How to Measure for a Wheel Bolt Circle

Measuring the wheel bolt circle on your car or truck is the best and simplest way to be sure that a new or custom set of wheels will fit your vehicle. You can measure the bolt circle with a tape measure or ruler with the wheel off the vehicle. If the wheel is still on the vehicle, a tape measure is your best option to fit inside the wheel. There are two ways to measure the bolt circle, depending on the number of wheel studs your vehicle uses.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure

Measuring a Five-Lug Vehicle

  • Select one wheel stud as your starting point. The specific wheel stud is not important as long as you know which one you are going to use.

  • Locate the wheel stud two over from the starting point. You should have one wheel stud between the starting and ending studs.

  • Measure from the center of the starting stud to the back edge of the ending stud. This number is the bolt circle measurement for your vehicle.

Measuring Four-, Six-, and Eight-Lug Vehicles

  • Locate your starting wheel stud. The specific stud you use doesn't make a difference at this point.

  • Locate a second wheel stud directly across from the starting stud. On four-, six-, and eight-lug wheels, there will always be studs directly opposite each other.

  • Measure from the center of the first stud to the center of the opposite stud with a tape measure. This measurement is the bolt circle measurement for your four-, six-, or eight-lug vehicle.