What gear ratios for manual transmission?

There isn’t a single universal set of manual-transmission gear ratios. Most driving purposes rely on two common configurations—five- and six-speed manuals—with first gear typically in the 3.5–4.3 range and top gear around 0.7–1.0, all multiplied by the final-drive ratio to produce the actual road gearing. The exact numbers vary by engine, vehicle weight, tire size, and the manufacturer’s goals for acceleration vs. fuel economy.

How gear ratios shape performance

Gear ratios determine how engine torque is translated into vehicle motion across the RPM range. Shorter (lower) gear ratios give quicker off-the-line acceleration but higher engine speeds at any given road speed; taller (higher) ratios ease highway cruising with lower RPMs but can slow initial response. The final-drive ratio further amplifies or dampens these effects by multiplying every gear’s ratio.

Common configurations

To illustrate typical layouts used in modern manuals, the following ranges show how first through last gears are spaced, and how the final-drive choice interacts with each gear. These examples are representative rather than universal.

• 5-speed manual: first ~3.5–4.3; second ~2.0–2.9; third ~1.3–1.9; fourth ~1.0–1.4; fifth ~0.8–1.0. Final-drive ratios commonly fall in the 3.5–4.1 range, which multiplies the gearing for each gear.


• 6-speed manual: first ~3.5–4.2; second ~2.0–2.6; third ~1.4–2.0; fourth ~1.0–1.5; fifth ~0.8–1.0; sixth ~0.7–0.95. Final-drive ratios often sit in the 3.2–3.8 range, affecting all gears.

In practice, the exact figures vary by model and market. The important takeaway is how the product of each gear ratio and the final-drive ratio determines the overall gearing, which governs engine RPM at cruising speed and the speed-stretch of each gear during acceleration.

Practical implications for drivers and builders

Carmakers tailor gear spacing to the intended use of the vehicle. A performance-oriented car might use a close-ratio set (smaller gaps between gears) to keep the engine in its power band, while an economy-focused car may opt for a taller final drive and wider gaps to reduce engine speed on the highway. For builders or buyers, consider your typical driving: stop-and-go city use, highway cruising, or track days, and multiply the gear ratios by the final-drive ratio to estimate engine RPM at your preferred speeds.

Choosing the right gearing for your vehicle

When selecting a manual transmission or tuning gear ratios, evaluate the engine’s torque curve, redline, tire diameter, and the final-drive ratio. A calculator that multiplies gear ratios by the final drive can help you compare how different configurations affect acceleration, engine RPM at highway speeds, and fuel economy. If you want brisk city acceleration, prioritize shorter first and second gears; if long-range cruising is key, lean toward a taller top gear and a reasonable final drive.

Summary

Manual transmission gear ratios are not one-size-fits-all. They are chosen to balance acceleration, drivability, and fuel economy in the context of engine torque, tire size, and final-drive gearing. Across 5- and 6-speed layouts, the core principle remains: each gear’s ratio, when multiplied by the final-drive ratio, defines the overall gearing that determines how the engine behaves at different speeds. For precise numbers, consult the specifications for the specific vehicle or transmission you’re interested in.

What is a 4.10 gear ratio good for?

A 4.10 gear ratio is good for applications that need more torque for quicker acceleration, heavy towing, or off-roading, such as performance cars and trucks. This higher numerical ratio means the engine spins faster, providing more power at lower speeds but potentially resulting in lower fuel economy and less top-end speed compared to a numerically lower ratio like 3.73. 
Good for:

• Quicker acceleration: The 4.10 ratio gives the vehicle more low-end torque, resulting in faster acceleration from a standstill. 
• Towing and heavy loads: The increased torque makes it easier to get a heavy trailer moving and pull loads up hills. 
• Off-roading: A 4.10 ratio is beneficial for off-road use as it provides more torque to handle rough terrain and larger tires. 
• Performance driving: It's a popular choice for enthusiasts looking for a more aggressive, tire-burning driving feel. 

Potential downsides:

• Lower fuel economy: The engine will run at higher RPMs at cruising speeds, which can lead to decreased gas mileage.
• Reduced top speed: A 4.10 ratio sacrifices top-end speed for low-end acceleration.
• Higher engine noise and heat: Higher engine speeds at highway speeds can increase noise and potentially engine temperatures, especially without an overdrive gear. 

When to use gear 1 and 2 in manual?

You use first gear every time you start the car from a stop. You use second gear after first gear when you want to go a bit faster. You might shift down into second gear and then into first gear as you are slowing, but don't want to come to a complete stop.

What is a 3.73 gear ratio good for?

For a truck, it is great for heavier loads where factory gear ratios that are 3.55 or 3.31. In a sports car, 3.73 gears will offer better acceleration while retaining top speed when compared to 3.55 gears that come factory on many sports cars.

What is the gear ratio for a manual transmission?

Manual transmission gear ratios determine the torque and speed transferred from the engine to the wheels, with a common pattern where first gear has the highest ratio (most torque, lowest speed) for starting, and higher gears have progressively lower ratios for increased speed and fuel efficiency. Gear ratios are a fixed number (e.g., 3.846∶13.846 colon 13.846∶1) that represent the relationship between the input and output shaft speeds, and are a key factor in a vehicle's performance and fuel economy. 
This video explains the relationship between gear ratios, engine speed, and torque: 1:06Engineering MindsetInstagram · Sep 29, 2025
General gear ratio patterns

• First Gear: Highest ratio (e.g., 3.5−4.5∶13.5 minus 4.5 colon 13.5−4.5∶1), providing maximum torque for starting from a standstill or climbing hills. 
• Second Gear: Lower ratio than first (e.g., 2.0−2.5∶12.0 minus 2.5 colon 12.0−2.5∶1), balancing torque and speed for moderate acceleration. 
• Third Gear: A middle-range ratio (e.g., 1.5−1.8∶11.5 minus 1.8 colon 11.5−1.8∶1) suitable for city driving at moderate speeds. 
• Fourth Gear: Lower than third (e.g., 1.0−1.3∶11.0 minus 1.3 colon 11.0−1.3∶1), often a "direct drive" (1∶11 colon 11∶1) ratio, where the input and output shafts spin at the same speed. 
• Fifth/Sixth Gear: Lowest ratios, also called "overdrive" (e.g., 0.8∶10.8 colon 10.8∶1 or lower), designed for highway cruising to improve fuel efficiency by allowing the engine to run at lower RPMs. 

How gear ratios are determined

• Calculation: The gear ratio is calculated by dividing the number of teeth on the driven gear by the number of teeth on the drive gear.
• Example: If the drive gear has 10 teeth and the driven gear has 20 teeth, the ratio is 20÷10=2.020 divided by 10 equals 2.020÷10=2.0, or 2.0∶12.0 colon 12.0∶1. 

This video demonstrates how to calculate gear ratios based on the number of teeth on the gears: 54sDillon SelphYouTube · May 25, 2017
Key takeaways

• High ratio: A higher number (e.g., 4.0∶14.0 colon 14.0∶1) means more torque and is used for lower speeds. 
• Low ratio: A lower number (e.g., 0.7∶10.7 colon 10.7∶1) means less torque but more speed, used for higher gears and efficiency. 
• Final Drive Ratio: Many vehicles also have a final drive ratio (also called a differential ratio), which is a separate ratio that further modifies the overall final ratio.