KNOWLEDGE BASE
Wheel Fitment Explained:
PCD, Center Bore, Offset (ET)
The four numbers every wheel buyer checks — and the mistakes that cause returns. Written for importers and shop owners; copy it for your own customers if useful.
Quick Spec Summary: Wheel fitment is decided by five numbers: bolt pattern (PCD), center bore (CB), offset (ET), width (J) and load rating. Match PCD and bore exactly to the hub, stay within ±5 mm of OEM ET unless brake clearance is verified, and keep load rating at or above the vehicle requirement (690 kg for sedans/EVs, 900-1,250 kg for SUVs and trucks). Use the calculator below to check poke and inner clearance before ordering.
| Parameter | What it means | Safe rule |
|---|
| PCD | bolt count × circle diameter (e.g. 5×112) | must match hub exactly — never adapt |
| Center Bore (CB) | hub hole diameter, mm | machined exact per application; rings only as fallback |
| Offset (ET) | hub-face to centerline, mm | stay within ±5 mm OEM unless verified |
| Width (J) | rim width in inches | wider = more poke AND more inner need |
| Load rating | max kg per wheel | ≥ vehicle requirement (690-1,250 kg typical) |
1. Diameter — start here
18″ is the global volume size for sedans and crossovers: enough tyre choice, affordable freight, fits most taxi, fleet and retail programs. Our stock program concentrates on 18″ because it turns fastest on three continents; 15–26″ are available on production orders.
2. PCD — the bolt pattern
PCD (pitch circle diameter) is the count and spacing of bolt holes: 5×112 means 5 holes on a 112 mm circle. Quick reference for what we stock:
| PCD | Typical vehicles | Common center bores |
|---|
| 5×112 | Mercedes-Benz, Audi, VW, Skoda | 57.1 · 66.5 · 66.56 |
| 5×114.3 | Toyota, Lexus, Kia, Honda, Nissan | 60.1 · 64.1 · 67.1 |
| 5×120 | BMW, some Land Rover | 72.56 · 74.1 |
| 6×139.7 | Land Cruiser, Prado, Hilux, Fortuner | 106.1 · 106.2 |
| 5×108 | Volvo, Ford, Land Rover (Evoque) | 63.4 · 63.45 |
| 5×150 | Tundra, Sequoia, LC200 | 110.1 |
3. Center bore (CB) — hub-centric vs spacer rings
The bore must match the hub for vibration-free running. A wheel with a larger bore can use hub-centric rings (we supply them free with sample sets); a smaller bore simply will not fit. Our fitment table lists the machined bore per SKU.
4. Offset (ET) — the silent killer
ET is the distance from the wheel’s centerline to the hub-mounting face, in millimetres. Too high and the wheel rubs the suspension; too low and it sticks past the fender. Rule of thumb for our stock: stay within ±5 mm of the OEM offset, and confirm brakes clearance for anything lower than ET35 on 8.5J+ widths.
5. Load rating and certifications
Fleet and Gulf-market buyers should check the load rating stamped on the barrel. Our cast wheels carry ISO/TS-quality program documentation; flow-formed and forged lines come with radial fatigue and salt-spray reports, and JWL/VIA/DOT/SASO documentation is available per mold for regulated markets.
Not sure about a fitment? Send your car list — we check every SKU against it before quoting. Ask the fitment desk →
How Alloy Wheels Are Made: Cast vs Flow-Formed vs Forged
Cast (gravity or low-pressure). Molten aluminum alloy is poured into a mold shaped like the wheel. Cooling speed and alloy purity control strength. Casting is the lowest-cost route and the reason we can keep 815 SKU variants in stock – most wholesale programs for sedans, crossovers and pickup wheels in the 15-20 inch range are cast.
Flow-formed. A cast pre-form is spun and heated while rollers compress the barrel. The barrel grains elongate, giving tensile strength and impact resistance closer to a forged wheel at a mid-range price. Best value for fleet and taxi programs that overload vehicles.
Forged. A solid aluminum billet is pressed under thousands of tons into the wheel shape. Maximum strength-to-weight, minimum porosity, highest price – the choice for performance and premium off-road programs. We supply all three processes from more than 4,600 molds; tell us the target market and price band and we will quote the right process per SKU.
Popular Fitments by Real Buyer Requests (2026)
Compiled from live purchase inquiries this quarter — the exact combinations buyers ask us to quote:
- forged wheels for BMW X5 5×120 20 inch
- concave forged wheels Audi A4 A5 5×112
- deep dish wheels Land Cruiser Hilux 5×114.3
- staggered forged wheels Mercedes C Class E Class
- monoblock forged wheels 21 22 24 inch custom
- flow formed wheels vs forged wheels
- 20 inch concave wheels for sale
- forged wheels manufacturer wholesale OEM
Ask for these fitments by name — our engineering team quotes within one business day.
Latest guide: PU Wheels: Extensive Stock, Variety in Sizes and PCD
Try it live — offset & clearance calculator
Platform-specific fitment guides
Wholesale lanes