Where can I find my rim pattern?

The rim pattern (also called the bolt or lug pattern) is typically listed where wheel specifications are provided and can also be verified by measuring the wheel or consulting a professional. You can usually find it in your vehicle’s documentation, on labels near the door, or by checking the wheel itself.

Understanding your rim pattern is essential for selecting compatible wheels, tires, and accessories. It’s the arrangement and spacing of the lug holes on the wheel, commonly expressed as a number of bolts and a bolt circle diameter (for example, 5x114.3). This guide explains where to look and how to confirm the pattern accurately.

Where to Look for the Rim Pattern

These sources are the most reliable places to verify your rim pattern before buying replacements or upgrades.

• Owner’s manual or the vehicle’s service manual, which often includes wheel specs and bolt pattern information.


• Driver’s-side door jamb sticker or the glove box insert, which can list wheel size and related specifications (check for notes about bolt pattern or lug nuts).


• On the wheel itself or the hub area: some rims have the bolt pattern printed or stamped on the backside or near the hub.


• Manufacturer’s website or your vehicle’s official dealer portal: search your exact make/model for wheel fitment data.


• Reliable wheel retailers or automotive shops: they can confirm the correct lug pattern for your vehicle.

Using these sources helps ensure you identify the correct rim pattern and avoid mismatches that affect safety and performance.

How to Confirm the Rim Pattern by Measuring

If documentation isn’t available or you want to double-check, you can measure the bolt pattern and hub bore yourself.

1. Determine the number of lug holes: count how many bolts pass through the wheel at the lug locations (4, 5, or 6 are common for passenger cars).


2. Measure the bolt circle diameter (BCD): measure center-to-center distance between two opposite lug holes to get the bolt pattern diameter (e.g., 114.3 mm).


3. Check the hub bore size: measure the diameter of the hole in the center of the wheel that fits over the hub; this matters for centering and may require rings if the bore doesn’t match.


4. Cross-check with a reliable fitment chart or database to translate your measurements into a standard pattern (for example, 5x114.3).


5. If possible, perform a test fit with a wheel that matches the pattern or consult a professional to confirm compatibility.

Accurate measurement minimizes the risk of ordering wheels that don’t fit your vehicle’s studs or hub.

Common patterns to watch for

• 4x100, 4x108


• 5x100, 5x112, 5x114.3


• 5x120


• 6x114.3

Recognizing these patterns can speed up the process, but always verify against official specifications for your exact vehicle and wheel model.

Summary

To locate your rim pattern, start with official documentation (owner’s manual, door labels, or dealer resources) and check the wheel or hub for markings. If documentation isn’t available, measure the lug pattern and hub bore, then cross-check with trustworthy fitment charts or a professional. Getting this right ensures safe installation and proper wheel performance.

Where can I find the lug pattern on a rim?

One way to find your bolt pattern is to physically measure the distance between the lug holes on your wheel. First, measure the distance between the center of one lug hole to the center of the lug hole directly across from it. This measurement should be in millimeters.

How can I find out what rims I have?

To identify a wheel rim, check the markings stamped on its inner or outer face for specifications like diameter, width, and offset, and look for a vehicle manufacturer's logo for original equipment (OE) identification. The vehicle's owner's manual or driver's side door jamb can also provide crucial rim size information through the tire size code, like the last number in "P215/65 R15" which indicates the rim's diameter in inches.
 
By markings on the rim

• Size: A marking like "17x7.5J" indicates the rim's diameter (17 inches) and width (7.5 inches). 
• Offset (ET): The "ET" or "+" or "-" prefix followed by a number, such as "ET35" or "+35", specifies the offset in millimeters. A positive offset moves the wheel inward, while a negative offset moves it outward. 
• Rim flange profile: A letter, such as "J", indicates the rim's flange profile, which is the shape of the rim's edge where the tire mounts. 
• Hump design: Letters like "H2" indicate the rim's hump design, which adds stiffness and helps keep the tire bead in place. 
• Manufacturer information: You may find the manufacturer's brand, a unique part number, and the date of manufacture or casting. 

This video explains how to read rim markings: 1mManiZillaYouTube · Mar 21, 2019
By vehicle-specific identifiers 

• OE vs. aftermarket: Check for the vehicle manufacturer's logo on the back of the rim or on the center cap. Many aftermarket wheels will not have this logo.
• Part number: Original Equipment (OE) wheels often have a part number stamped on the back, sometimes including the manufacturer's logo. 

By using vehicle information

• Owner's manual or door jamb: The tire size code found in these locations often includes the rim diameter. For example, in the code "P215/65 R15," the number "15" is the rim diameter in inches. 
• Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR): Check your owner's manual for the GAWR to ensure any replacement wheel can handle the load, especially the load index which is usually in pounds. 

How to find 5 lug bolt pattern?

To measure a 5-lug bolt pattern, measure from the center of one lug hole to the outside edge of the lug hole that is two away from it. This is a different method than for even-lug wheels, as there is no lug directly opposite a 5-lug hole. Using a specialized bolt pattern gauge or a ruler and a tape measure will get you an accurate result. 
This video demonstrates how to measure a 5-lug bolt pattern: 53sR3 Viddy ProductionsYouTube · Sep 24, 2012
Step-by-step guide

1. Find a 5-lug pattern template or ruler: A specialized bolt pattern gauge is the most accurate tool, but a ruler or tape measure can also be used. 
2. Place the end of the ruler: Place the zero end of your measuring tool on the center of one lug hole. 
3. Measure to the opposite edge: Measure across the wheel to the outermost edge of the lug hole that is two holes away from your starting point. 
4. Record the measurement: This measurement is the diameter of the bolt pattern circle. For example, a measurement of 4.54.54.5 inches is a 5×4.55 cross 4.55×4.5 bolt pattern. 
5. Convert to metric (if necessary): Multiply the inch measurement by 25.425.425.4 to convert to millimeters, or simply find a bolt pattern converter chart online. 

Where can I find the rim stud pattern?

For uneven stud holes such as 5 stud patterns, measure from the centre of one stud, to the furthest edge of the most opposite stud. For even stud holes such as 4 or 6 stud patterns, simply measure from the centre of one stud, to the centre of the opposite stud.