Bolt patterns consist of two important numbers: (1) number of bolts or bolt holes and (2) pitch circle diameter. For example, a bolt pattern of 4x100 would tell you that there were 4 bolts or bolt holes with a 100mm pitch circle diameter. The pitch circle diameter measurement can be shown in US Standard (in) or Metric (mm).
It's always best to get your bolt pattern direct from the manufacturer or measuring yourself by using a bolt pattern gauge. But just in case. Here's a quick guide to help you measure your bolt pattern using a ruler. Please refer to the diagram above for a visual reference.
The following table is a list of common bolt patterns found on passenger cars, light trucks, and SUVs. This will show you the US Standard measurement as well as the metric conversion.
Number of Bolts | US Standard (Inches) | Metric (Millimeters) |
4 | 4x3.86 | 4x98 |
4 | 4x3.94 | 4x100 |
4 | 4x4.24 | 4x108 |
4 | 4x4.33 | 4x110 |
4 | 4x4.5 | 4x114.3 |
5 | 5x3.86 | 5x98 |
5 | 5x3.94 | 5x100 |
5 | 5x4.25 | 5x108 |
5 | 5x4.33 | 5x110 |
5 | 5x4.41 | 5x112 |
5 | 5x4.5 | 5x114.3 |
5 | 5x4.52 | 5x115 |
5 | 5x4.72 | 5x120 |
5 | 5x4.75 | 5x120.7 |
5 | 5x5 | 5x127 |
5 | 5x5.12 | 5x130 |
5 | 5x5.3 | 5x135 |
5 | 5x5.5 | 5x139.7 |
5 | 5x5.91 | 5x150 |
5 | 5x6.1 | 5x155 |
5 | 5x6.5 | 5x165.1 |
5 | 5x8.07 | 5x205 |
6 | 6x4.5 | 6x114.3 |
6 | 6x4.52 | 6x115 |
6 | 6x5 | 6x127 |
6 | 6x5.2 | 6x132 |
6 | 6x5.3 | 6x135 |
6 | 6x5.5 | 6x139.7 |
8 | 8x6.5 | 8x165.1 |
8 | 8x6.69 | 8x170 |
8 | 8x7.87 | 8x200 |
8 | 8x8.27 | 8x210 |
The thickness of a wheel can differ from original equipment wheels to aftermarket wheels. For that reason, it’s critical to verify that the wheel nuts or lug nuts will properly engage the threads. Refer to the chart below to determine the number of turns, or the depth of engagement, typical for your stud or bolt size.
Bolt/Stud Size | Number of Turns |
M14x2.0 | 7 |
M14x1.5 | 9.5 |
M14x1.25 | 11 |
M12x1.75 | 7 |
M12x1.5 | 8 |
M12x1.25 | 9.5 |
1/2"-20 | 10 |
5/16"-18 | 6 |
7/16"-20 | 8.5 |
9/16"-18 | 10 |
Acorn lug nuts are named as such because they resemble the look of an acorn. The term acorn refers to the ball-type, rounded, or dome head design of the lug nut.
Bulge acorn lug nuts feature the same ball-type, rounded, or dome head design of the acorn lug nuts. However, bulge acorn lug nuts typically provide over 6% more seating surface area than a standard acorn lug nut.
Bulge Acorn XL Style and Bulge Acorn XXL Style
Bulge acorn XL lug nuts have the same features as a bulge acorn lug nut with a rounded dome head and increased seating area. However, the XL refers to a longer lug nut designed fit vehicles with longer wheel studs.
OEM style lug nuts feature a unique design built by different vehicle manufacturers such as Ford, Honda, Jaguar, Land Rover, Toyota, and more. These lug nuts are made to fit specific vehicle makes and models.
Spline, or tuner, lug nuts are specifically designed for installation on most aftermarket wheels and are not intended for use on factory wheels. These lug nuts feature a small diameter and require the use of a spline tool for installation and removal.
Spline, or tuner, duplex lug nuts have the same features as regular spline/tuner lug nuts and are specifically designed for installation on most aftermarket wheels only. However, the duplex refers to the larger thread size and thread pitch. Spline/tuner duplex lug nuts are designed for light trucks and are usually open-end.
Spline, or tuner, duplex XL lug nuts have the same features as regular spline/tuner lug nuts and are specifically designed for installation on most aftermarket wheels only. However, the duplex XL refers to a longer lug nut designed to fit vehicles with longer wheel studs. Spline/tuner duplex style lug nuts are designed for light trucks.
Spline, or tuner, ET lug nuts have the same features as regular spline/tuner lug nuts and are specifically designed for installation on most aftermarket wheels only. However, the ET refers to the extended thread. These lug nuts are intended for lug centric applications.
]]>There are three common types of lug nut seating styles determined by your type of wheels: (1) cone or tapered seat, (2) mag or shank seat, and (3) radius or ball seat.
Cone or tapered seat lug nuts feature a taper at the seating area. This taper is most commonly at a 60-degree angle, although some applications use a 45-degree or 90-degree angle. The angle indicates the degree of separation between the two walls of the lug nut and the wheel lug seat.
Mag or shank seat lug nuts feature a flat seating area. These nuts also feature a shank extension under the head which is used to center the wheel and provide extra thread engagement.
Radius or ball seat lug nuts feature a rounded seating area. This rounded area can be at a radius of r12, r13, or r14. Radius or ball seat lug nuts are most commonly used for Acura and Honda applications.
]]>The thread size is the measurement taken across the outside diameter of your wheel stud threads measured in either standard (1/2", 9/16", etc.) or metric (M12, M14, etc.) dimensions. The most common thread sizes are 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 7/16", 1/2", 9/16", 5/8". You can usually find your factory stud size in your vehicle owner's manual.
The thread pitch is the measurement of threads per inch for US standard wheel studs or the distance in millimeters between the threads for metric applications. US lugs specify threads per inch (TPI), commonly called thread count, so 20 would represent 20 threads per inch. While metric lugs specify a thread pitch which is the distance between the threads. Therefore, a 1.5 pitch would have 1.5 millimeters between each thread.
When searching for lugs you will see the thread size followed by something like -20 (1/2"-20) or x1.5 (M12x1.5). This is the pitch and it's just as important to get right as the thread size. If you get the wrong thread pitch the lugs will pinch when tightening and not fully engage.