How to Measure Bolt Pattern
Bolt pattern, or lug pattern, is the number of lugs and the diameter of the imaginary circle they create. Bolt pattern is usually expressed in millimeters and can be described using two numbers: the first number represents the number of lugs or lug holes, while the second number represents the diameter of the circle formed by the lugs. For example, 5x114.3 bolt pattern means that the wheel has 5 bolt holes and the diameter of the circle formed by the bolt holes is 114.3 millimeters. Bolt pattern is an important consideration when choosing wheels for your vehicle, as the bolt pattern must match the pattern on your vehicle's hub in order to fit properly.
Measuring bolt patterns is a simple process that can be done in a few easy steps. First, you need to count the number of lugs on your vehicle's wheel hub, or its lug bolt pattern. The number of lugs has to match the number of lug holes on your wheel. Most wheels have either four, five, six, or eight bolt holes. Less common are wheels with three and seven lug holes. Some wheels have a dual drill bolt pattern with two sets of bolt holes that can accept different bolt patterns to fit a wider range of vehicles.
Once you know the lug bolt pattern, the next step is to measure the diameter of the bolt circle, or Pitch Circle Diameter (PCD). The bolt circle is the imaginary circle that passes through the center of each bolt hole. Proper way to measure the diameter of the bolt circle depends on the number of lugs in a bolt pattern.
How to Measure 3-Lug Bolt Pattern
3-lug bolt pattern indicates that vehicle's hub has 3 lugs and wheel has 3 lug holes. To get the pitch circle diameter (PCD) on a 3-lug pattern, measure the distance between the center of one lug to the center of the next lug and multiply the distance by 1.154. For better accuracy, you can measure from inner edge of one lug or lug hole to the outer edge of the next one.
How to Measure 4-Lug Bolt Pattern
4-lug bolt pattern means that vehicle's hub has 4 lugs and wheel has 4 lug holes. To get the pitch circle diameter (PCD) on a 4-lug pattern, measure the distance between the center of one lug to the center of the lug directly across from it.
How to Measure 5-Lug Bolt Pattern
5-lug bolt pattern means that vehicle's hub has 5 lugs and wheel has 5 lug holes. To get the pitch circle diameter (PCD) on a 5-lug pattern, measure the distance from the back of a hole to the center of the second hole across from it.
How to Measure 6-Lug Bolt Pattern
6-lug bolt pattern means that vehicle's hub has 6 lugs and wheel has 6 lug holes. Measuring a 6-lug pattern is very similar to that of a 4-lug pattern. To get the pitch circle diameter (PCD) on a 6-lug pattern, measure the distance between the center of one lug to the center of the lug directly across from it.
How to Measure 7-Lug Bolt Pattern
7-lug bolt pattern means that vehicle's hub has 7 lugs and wheel has 7 lug holes. To get the pitch circle diameter (PCD) on a 7-lug pattern, measure from the center of one lug hole to the outer edge of the lug hole furthest from it.
How to Measure 8-Lug Bolt Pattern
8-lug bolt pattern means that vehicle's hub has 8 lugs and wheel has 8 lug holes. Measuring an 8-lug pattern is very similar to that of 4-lug and 6-lug patterns. To get the pitch circle diameter (PCD) on an 8-lug pattern, measure the distance between the center of one lug to the center of the lug directly across from it.
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