What’s the difference between metric and standard bolt patterns?
Metric and standard bolt patterns often represent the same measurement, just expressed in millimeters or inches.
When shopping for wheels, you may notice that some bolt patterns are listed in millimeters (metric) while others are shown in inches (standard). The good news? In many cases, they’re actually the same measurement, just expressed in different units.
Most modern bolt patterns are measured in millimeters, but you’ll still see some commonly labeled in inches. For example:
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6x139.7 is the same as 6x5.5
(139.7 millimeters equals 5.5 inches)
Here are a few other common equivalents:
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5x4.5 = 5x114.3
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5x5 = 5x127
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5x5.5 = 5x139.7
The first number always represents the number of lugs, and the second number is simply the distance between studs measured in either millimeters or inches.
Understanding this conversion can help prevent confusion when comparing wheels or confirming fitment. If you’re ever unsure whether two bolt patterns are equivalent, our team is happy to help verify it before you order.