What is a bolt pattern? There are three or more holes surrounding the large hub bore located at the center of the wheel, also known as lug holes. Typically, five lug holes are the most common, sometimes four. A bolt pattern refers to the pattern required to bolt a wheel on to a vehicle. The lug holes are the points on the wheel that accept the lug nut or lug bolt to securely fasten the wheel to the vehicle.
The bolt pattern and lug holes on the wheels may be something people often overlook, but they perform an important task by making sure the wheels are properly and safely seated on the wheel hub and the vehicle. These lug holes are organized in a circular pattern called a bolt pattern, and this pattern helps determine which wheels can or cannot fit on the vehicle.
Keep in mind that the vehicle will only accept a wheel that shares the same bolt pattern as the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer), or ‘stock’ wheel. Bolt patterns are vehicle specific, so before purchasing aftermarket wheels, double check that the wheels will fit the vehicle.
Types of Bolt Patterns
At Wheel Suppliers, we typically sell 4-lug, 5-lug, and 6-lug bolt patterns, although there are 3-lug and 8-lug bolt patterns as well. Each of which are equipped on certain types of vehicles. As mentioned above, the most common is a 5-lug design on most modern vehicles.
It’s important to keep in mind that bolt patterns are measured in millimeters, although they can easily be converted to inches if you’re trying to measure the pattern of your wheels. For example, a 5×120 bolt pattern refers to 5 holes, with a circular diameter of 120mm.
4-Lug Bolt Patterns
5-Lug Bolt Patterns
4-lug bolt patterns are usually manufactured for compact and mid-size vehicles. They are one of the most commonly used bolt patterns, making it easier to find customer or aftermarket wheels. 4-lug patterns consist of the following: 4×98, 4×100, 4×108, 4×110 and 4×114.3.
5-lug bolt patterns are typically manufactured for mid-size, standard, full-size and luxury vehicles. It is by far the most commonly used pattern, making finding aftermarket wheels and lug nuts convenient. 5-lug patterns consist of the following: 5×98, 5×100, 5×108, 5×110, 5×112, 5×114.3, 5×115, 5×120, 5×120.7, 5×127, 5×130, 5×135, 5×139.7, 5×150, 5×155, 5×165.1 and 5×205.
6-Lug Bolt Patterns
8-Lug Bolt Patterns
6-lug bolt patterns are manufactured for mid-size SUVs, full-size SUVs and trucks. Because 6-lug bolt patterns are readily available, it makes finding aftermarket wheels for your SUV or truck easy. 6-lug bolt patterns consist of the following: 6×114.3, 6×115, 6×120, 6×127, 6×132, 6×135 and 6×139.7.
8-lug bolt patterns are usually manufactured for midsize, standard, full size and luxury vehicles. 8-lug patterns are one of the most commonly used bolt patterns making it easier to find custom or aftermarket wheels. This bolt pattern consists of the following patterns: 8×165.1, 8×170, 8×180, and 8×200.
How To Measure Bolt Patterns
Bolt patterns are classified using a two number system. The first number indicates how many bolt holes are in the wheel, and the second number describes the diameter of the imaginary circle they make. For example, a 5×100 bolt pattern means that the wheel has 5 lug holes equally spaced on a 100mm circle. The distance is measured across the center of the wheel. Usually, large vehicles have more bolts arranged in a larger bolt circle. Smaller vehicles typically have fewer bolts arranged in a small circle. The most accurate ways to measure bolt patterns are shown below.
4-bolt patterns are measured in a straight line from center to center of two bolt holes sitting directly across from each other.
5-bolt patterns tend to be more difficult to measure since the bolt holes are not adjacent. You can estimate the measurement by using a straight line from the backside of one hole to the center of the third lug hole. The accurate measurement is depicted in the image and can only be measured with a special tool called a bolt pattern gauge or by using a complex geometric equation.
6-bolt patterns are measured similarly to 4-bolt patterns, measuring in a straight line from center to center of two bolt holes sitting directly across from each other.
8-bolt patterns are measured like 4-bolt and 6-bolt patterns in a straight line from center to center of two bolt holes sitting adjacently.
What is a Dual-Drill Bolt Pattern?
In addition to the bolt patterns mentioned above, some manufacturers produce wheels with dual bolt patterns.
Dual-drill bolt patterns have an additional set of lug holes, enabling the wheel to be mounted on two separate bolt patterns. For example, a wheel with a 5×100/114.3 pattern has a total of ten holes. It can accommodate both 5×100 and 5×114.3 bolt patterns.
For more information or for help measuring your bolt pattern, don’t hesitate to contact us and we’ll get you taken care of!
Shop From a Wide Variety of PCD's
4-Lug Bolt Patterns
5-Lug Bolt Patterns
6-Lug Bolt Patterns
8-lug Bolt Patterns
