Too long, I want to choose to read it.Hello car tuning enthusiasts! Today, the LENSO WHEELS team is sharing essential knowledge about wheel specifications. If you are looking to upgrade to a new set of alloy wheels, you have likely come across the term P.C.D. Let's dive into what this value means, why it matters, and how you can easily measure it yourself.
P.C.D. stands for Pitch Circle Diameter. It refers to the distance between the lug holes on a wheel. It is calculated by drawing an imaginary circle through the exact center of each lug hole and measuring the diameter of that circle. The unit of measurement is strictly in millimeters (mm).
Even-numbered lug holes (4 or 6 lugs): You can measure directly from the center of one lug hole to the center of the opposite one.
Odd-numbered lug holes (3 or 5 lugs): You must measure from the imaginary circle passing through the centers of the lug holes directly across the diameter.
Most modern passenger cars use 4 or 5-lug wheels, while pickup trucks generally use 5 or 6-lug configurations. Heavy-duty trucks use 8 or 10 lugs to support more weight and ensure a secure mount. Common P.C.D. sizes in the market include 98, 100, 108, 110, 112, 114.3, 120, and 130 mm.
Cars are manufactured across the globe—from Germany and the rest of Europe to the USA and Japan. Engineering designs vary depending on the manufacturer's standards. In the past, the imperial system (inches) was widely used. Later, many countries adopted the metric system, switching to millimeters. This historical shift is why we see a variety of P.C.D. measurements today, even though they all serve the exact same purpose.
You can easily measure your wheel's P.C.D. using a ruler or a measuring tape.
1. 4-Lug or 8-Lug Wheels Measure from the back of the wheel hub. Place your ruler from the center of one lug hole (Point A) directly across to the center of the opposite lug hole (Point B). If the measurement reads 100 mm, then the P.C.D. of your alloy wheel is 100.
2. 5-Lug or 10-Lug Wheels Measuring an odd number of lug holes requires a simple mathematical formula. First, determine the following variables:
A = Diameter of the Center Bore
B = Distance from the edge of the center bore to the inner edge of the lug hole
C = Diameter of the lug hole itself
The Formula:
(Alternatively, you can use the formula: )
Example Calculation: If your measurements are , , and Apply the formula: Result: The P.C.D. is 120 mm.
3. 6-Lug Wheels The method is similar to 4-lug wheels. Measure in a straight line from the inner edge of one lug hole, across the center bore, to the outer edge of the opposite lug hole. The value you read is your P.C.D.
We hope this information helps you make an informed decision when picking out the perfect set of wheels for your ride! For more details or to browse our premium alloy wheels, visit