In this guide, you will learn how to measure wheel bolt patterns properly.
If you are looking to buy a new set of wheels for your vehicle, or perhaps replace a damaged wheel, knowing which bolt pattern your vehicle takes is crucial to ensure the proper fit.
If you are a car enthusiast or mechanic, you need to know how to measure wheel bolt patterns as they are not all the same and can vary between vehicles.
Knowing how to measure bolt patterns on a vehicle is easy to do once you know the proper method.
What does bolt pattern mean?
Every wheel on a car has a bolt pattern. It is also called the “lug pattern” or “bolt circle” and as mentioned not all vehicles are the same.
The bolt pattern is a 2-number system that refers to the number of bolts or lugs on a wheel and the distance between them.
If you measure the diameter of a circle drawn between two bolt holes on a wheel, it refers to one part of the bolt pattern. This number is measured in millimeters.
The second number refers to the number of bolts used.
For example, a 5 x 114.3 bolt pattern indicates that there are 5 lug bolts used and the diameter of the circle made through the center of the bolts is 114.3 mm.
How to measure bolt pattern
Measuring the bolt pattern of a wheel is quite simple. It’s common for bolt patterns to either have 4,5,6, or 8 lugs.
Lugs that have an even number like 4,6,8, can be measured by measuring the distance in millimeters from the center of one hole to the center of another hole that is directly across from it.
If the lug is an odd number like 5, then you need to measure the distance in millimeters from the back of one hole to the center of another hole that is directly across from it.
The following image shows how to measure a wheel with a 5 x 120 bolt pattern.
The following image shows how to measure a wheel with a 6 x 120 bolt pattern.
Bolt patterns can also be measured in inches. The following video shows how to measure a 5 lug bolt pattern in inches.
Cars that have a 5 x 114.3 bolt pattern
There are many vehicles that use a 5 x 114.3 bolt pattern. The following is not a complete list but includes some of the most common vehicles with a 5 x 114.3 bolt pattern.
- Chrysler 200 (2010-2014)
- Dodge Caravan (1987-2007)
- Ford Mustang (1994-2022)
- Honda Civic (2004-2022)
- Hyundai Sonata (2004-2022)
- Kia Forte (2008-2022)
- Lexus ES (1992-2022)
- Mazda 3 (2003-2022)
- Nissan Rogue (2008-2022)
- Toyota Corolla (2007-2022)
You can see more vehicles with a 5 x 114.3 bolt pattern here.
Cars that have a 5 x 100 bolt pattern
The following is a list of vehicles that use a 5 x 100 bolt pattern. It’s not a complete list but I have included many of the most common vehicles.
- Audi A3 (1996-2003)
- Chrysler Sebring (1995-2006)
- Dodge Grand Caravan (1996-2000)
- Pontiac Grand Am (1985-1998)
- Subaru Outback (1995-2014)
- Toyota Matrix (2003-2014)
- Volkswagen Golf (1992-2006)
- Volkswagen Jetta (1993-2005)
You can see more vehicles with a 5 x 100 bolt pattern here.
Cars that have a 5 x 120 bolt pattern
The following is a list of vehicles that use a 5 x 120 bolt pattern. Again, it’s not a complete list but included are some of the more common vehicles.
- BMW 1 Series (2014-2020)
- BMW 8 Series (1990-1999)
- Buick Regal (2011-2017)
- Cadillac CTS (2007-2019)
- Chevrolet Equinox (2010-2017)
- Honda Odyssey (2005-2021)
- Land Rover Range Rover (1994-2021)
- Volkswagon Touareg (2003-2010)
You can see more vehicles with a 5 x 120 bolt pattern here.