DuelsLeaderboardGarageBlogCarsGlossaryBrowse

Bolt pattern

Car culture term

Bolt pattern
Photo: The original uploader was Rossog at English Wikipedia. / Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

What is Bolt pattern?

The number of lug bolts and the diameter of the circle on which they are arranged. Determines wheel-to-vehicle compatibility.

Bolt pattern (sometimes called pitch circle diameter or PCD) describes the number of lug bolts on a wheel and the diameter of the circle on which they are arranged. The format is typically given as "X x Y" where X is the number of bolts and Y is the circle diameter in millimeters or inches.

Common bolt patterns include 4x100 (used on early Volkswagen, Honda, and many compact cars), 5x100 (Subaru, older Volkswagen), 5x108 (Ford Focus, Volvo), 5x110 (Pontiac G8, some Saab), 5x112 (modern Volkswagen, Audi, Mercedes-Benz), 5x114.3 (Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Toyota, Nissan), 5x115 (Cadillac, Dodge), 5x120 (BMW, Ford, Land Rover), 6x114.3 (Nissan trucks, Toyota Tacoma), and 8x6.5 (heavy duty trucks).

Bolt pattern compatibility is essential for wheel installation. Wheels with the wrong bolt pattern cannot be safely installed. Some vehicles use rare bolt patterns (Chrysler 300C SRT-8 uses 5x115; Ford Mustang uses 5x114.3) that limit aftermarket wheel options. Bolt pattern adapters allow wheels with different bolt patterns to be fitted, but the adapters add weight and reduce reliability; they are not recommended for serious performance applications.

Related terms

Wheel offsetBeadlockOEM

Frequently asked questions

How do I find my car bolt pattern?
Owner manual, online specification databases, or measuring tools (calipers across the bolts). For 4-bolt wheels, measure across the diameter. For 5-bolt wheels, measure across two non-adjacent bolts and use a conversion. The most common bolt patterns are listed in any wheel sizing reference.
Can I use bolt pattern adapters?
Yes, with caveats. Adapters allow wheels with different bolt patterns to be fitted. They add weight to the wheel assembly, change effective offset, and add a potential failure point. For street driving, quality adapters are generally safe but should be inspected and torqued regularly. For track driving, adapters are not recommended.
Why are some bolt patterns more popular than others?
5x114.3 is one of the most common patterns globally because it is used by many Japanese manufacturers (Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Mitsubishi). Wheels in this bolt pattern are widely available and inexpensive. Less common patterns (5x115 on Chrysler, 5x110 on some GM) limit aftermarket choices.
What is multi-fit wheels?
Some aftermarket wheels are sold as "multi-fit" with multiple bolt holes for different patterns. The wheels are typically heavier than dedicated single-pattern wheels. They are useful for shops with mixed inventory but rarely used on enthusiast cars.
Are bolt pattern measurements always accurate?
Manufacturer specifications are accurate. Measuring on a wheel can be slightly off due to tolerances. For confidence, verify against the manufacturer specification rather than measurement alone, especially for unusual patterns.
Back to Glossary