Forklift Tire Size Calculator
Decode any press-on, pneumatic, or metric forklift tire size and compare dimensions side by side. Get full inches & mm output, metric ↔ imperial equivalents, wear thresholds, load index lookup, and brand-specific fitment data for Toyota, Hyster, Yale, Clark, Nissan, and more.
QUICK EXAMPLE
The world's most common forklift tire — the 21×7×15 press-on cushion — ships as standard fitment on virtually every 5,000–6,000 lb indoor counterbalance forklift, from a Toyota 8FGU25 to a Hyster H50 to a Yale GLP050. Its three-number code means: 21 inches outer diameter, 7 inches wide, 15-inch rim (band). The equivalent metric code is 533×178×381 mm. On the pneumatic side, 7.00-12 is the equivalent workhorse — a 7.00-inch-wide tire on a 12-inch rim with a computed OD of approximately 26 inches, used as the standard drive tire on outdoor IC forklifts in the same capacity class. Despite being listed in completely different formats in parts catalogues, both tires serve the same 5,000 lb application — one for smooth warehouse floors, one for rough outdoor surfaces. Use the decoder above to enter any size from your forklift's sidewall or data plate and get full dimensions instantly.
Decode any press-on, pneumatic, or metric size — get full dimensions in inches & mm, metric ↔ imperial equivalents, wear thresholds, and side-by-side comparison.
Accepted: OD×W×Rim press-on · W.WW-R pneumatic · OD×W-R low-profile · W/AR-R metric ISO · metric mm values
Common brand presets
Dimensions marked "approx." are computed from standard formulas; actual manufactured dimensions vary by brand, compound, and tread pattern. Always confirm against your forklift data plate and tire sidewall before purchasing. Forklift tire selection affects machine stability and load capacity — consult your manufacturer or a qualified technician before changing size.
Forklift Tire Size Guide
How to read, measure, and choose forklift tires — all formats explained, brand charts, and replacement rules.
How to Use This Calculator
- 1Decode Tab — Read a forklift tire sidewall: Enter any tire code from the sidewall or data plate. Accepted formats are press-on/cushion (21×7×15), metric mm (533×178×381), pneumatic imperial (7.00-12), low-profile solid resilient (28×9-15 or 18×7-8), or metric ISO (200/50-10). The decoder auto-detects the format, computes outer diameter, section width, rim diameter, sidewall height, circumference, and aspect ratio in both inches and mm, then displays the equivalent size in the other unit system plus wear replacement threshold and typical application.
- 2Compare Tab — Check a substitute tire side by side: Enter two sizes — one in each field. The tool builds individual result cards for each and produces a delta table showing the exact difference for every dimension. A clearance warning appears if outer diameters differ by more than 0.5 inches, since mismatched OD between drive and steer can affect stability and the machine's data-plate load rating.
- 3By Brand Tab — Find your forklift's size by make and model: Use the search field to filter by brand name (e.g. "Toyota" or "Hyster"). Click any size in the table to instantly load it into the Decode tab for full dimensions. Always cross-reference with your specific machine's data plate — sizes vary between capacity variants and year of manufacture.
- 4Reference Tab — Browse complete size charts: Four collapsible tables cover the full press-on size range (29 sizes), pneumatic imperial and low-profile sizes (21 sizes combined), load index (16 rows, 80–170), and load range/ply rating (11 rows, B–N). Use these to verify a size found in a catalogue, identify an alternate fitment, or check whether a proposed substitute has sufficient load capacity.
Press-On / Cushion Forklift Tire Size Chart
| Imperial Size | Metric (mm) | OD (in) | Width (in) | Rim (in) | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10×4×6.5 | 254×102×165 | 10″ | 4″ | 6.5″ | Small pallet jacks, walkies |
| 12×5×8 | 305×127×203 | 12″ | 5″ | 8″ | Compact warehouse lifts |
| 15×5×11.25 | 381×127×286 | 15″ | 5″ | 11.25″ | Reach trucks |
| 16.25×6×11.25 | 413×152×286 | 16.25″ | 6″ | 11.25″ | Turret trucks, order pickers |
| 18×7×12.125 | 457×178×308 | 18″ | 7″ | 12.125″ | Electric forklifts, small IC cushion |
| 18×8×12.125 | 457×203×308 | 18″ | 8″ | 12.125″ | Larger electric forklifts |
| 21×7×15 | 533×178×381 | 21″ | 7″ | 15″ | ⭐ Most common — 5,000–6,000 lb (Toyota, Hyster, Yale) |
| 21×8×15 | 533×203×381 | 21″ | 8″ | 15″ | Higher-capacity cushion (Clark, Cat) |
| 22×9×16 | 559×229×406 | 22″ | 9″ | 16″ | Heavy electric or large cushion |
| 23×9×17 | 584×229×432 | 23″ | 9″ | 17″ | 10,000–12,000 lb (Yale GDP100, Hyster H100-H120) |
| 25×9×19 | 635×229×483 | 25″ | 9″ | 19″ | Extra-heavy cushion applications |
| 28×12×22 | 711×305×559 | 28″ | 12″ | 22″ | 15,000–20,000 lb large IC counterbalance |
Imperial sizes in OD×Width×Rim format (inches). Metric equivalents rounded to nearest mm. ⭐ marks the most common size for each capacity class. Source: forklifttire.com, Camso/Solideal published specs, manufacturer data sheets.
Pneumatic Forklift Tire Size Chart
| Imperial Size | Metric Equiv. | OD (approx.) | Width (in) | Rim (in) | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.00-9 | 150/75-9 | 21″ | 6″ | 9″ | Light steer tire, up to 3,000 lb |
| 6.50-10 | 165/70-10 | 23.4″ | 6.5″ | 10″ | Warehouse and dock forklifts |
| 7.00-12 | 175/80-12 | 26″ | 7″ | 12″ | ⭐ Most common drive — 4,000–5,000 lb (Toyota, Clark, Hyster) |
| 7.50-15 | 190/85-15 | 29.5″ | 7.5″ | 15″ | 5,000–6,000 lb drive (Hyster H50-H60) |
| 8.25-15 | 210/80-15 | 32″ | 8.25″ | 15″ | 6,000–8,000 lb drive (Toyota, Hyster, Yale) |
| 8.25-20 | 210/85-20 | 36.8″ | 8.25″ | 20″ | 8,000–10,000 lb large outdoor forklifts |
| 9.00-20 | 225/85-20 | 37.8″ | 9″ | 20″ | Large IC forklifts, heavy outdoor use |
| 10.00-20 | 250/85-20 | 41.5″ | 10″ | 20″ | 15,000–25,000 lb heavy-duty outdoor |
| 28×9-15 | 225/75-15 | 28″ | 9″ | 15″ | Low-profile solid resilient — Toyota/Hyster/Yale |
OD values for standard imperial pneumatic format (W.WW-R) are computed from the formula OD ≈ 2×(W×0.92)+R and verified against published specs. Low-profile solid sizes (OD×W-R format, e.g. 28×9-15) show nominal OD directly. ⭐ marks most common size per class.
Forklift Tire Sizes by Brand & Model
| Brand | Model | Capacity | Cushion Size | Pneumatic Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota | 8FGU15–8FGU18 | 3,000–3,500 lb | 18×7×12⅛ | 6.50-10 (drive), 6.00-9 (steer) | Verify 12.125 vs 12.25 band variant |
| Toyota | 8FGU25–8FGU30 | 5,000–6,000 lb | 21×7×15 | 7.00-12 (drive), 6.00-9 (steer) | Most common Toyota IC forklift platform |
| Hyster | H40–H60 (XT series) | 4,000–6,000 lb | 21×7×15 | 7.50-15 (drive), 6.00-9 (steer) | Confirm cushion vs pneumatic model variant |
| Hyster | H100–H120 (XT series) | 10,000–12,000 lb | 23×9×17 | 8.25-20 (drive) | High-capacity — always confirm data plate |
| Yale | GLP/GDP030–050 | 3,000–5,000 lb | 18×7×12⅛ to 21×7×15 | 7.00-12 | Yale and Hyster share many platforms |
| Yale | GDP100–120 | 10,000–12,000 lb | 23×9×17 | 8.25-20 | Heavy-capacity — verify rim width |
| Clark | C500 / GPS series | 4,000–6,000 lb | 21×8×15 | 7.00-12 to 8.25-15 | Clark C500 commonly uses wider 21×8×15 |
| Nissan | Nissan 50 (5,000 lb) | 5,000 lb | 21×7×15 (drive), 16×6×10.5 (steer) | 7.00-12 (drive), 6.00-9 (steer) | Steer tire smaller than drive |
| Crown | FC4500 / SC series | 3,000–6,000 lb | 18×6×12⅛ (reach), 21×7×15 (CB) | N/A — primarily electric indoor | Reach trucks use narrow-aisle sizes |
| Caterpillar | GP/GC/DP series | 4,000–8,000 lb | 21×8×15 typical | 7.50-15 to 8.25-15 | Cat and Mitsubishi share most platforms |
Always verify against your specific machine's data plate before ordering — sizes vary between serial number ranges and regional specifications. Blue = cushion/press-on; Green = pneumatic.
Forklift Tire Load Index Chart
| Load Index | Max Load (lbs) | Max Load (kg) | Typical Size / Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90 | 1,323 | 600 | 4.00-8 — small pallet equipment |
| 100 | 1,764 | 800 | 5.00-8 — small electric forklifts |
| 110 | 2,337 | 1,060 | 18×7-8 — electric stand-up trucks |
| 115 | 2,679 | 1,215 | 6.00-9 — light IC steer tires |
| 120 | 3,086 | 1,400 | 6.50-10 — warehouse dock forklifts |
| 125 | 3,638 | 1,650 | 7.00-12 — 4,000–5,000 lb drive tire |
| 130 | 4,189 | 1,900 | 28×9-15 — solid resilient |
| 135 | 4,806 | 2,180 | 8.25-15 — 6,000–8,000 lb drive |
| 140 | 5,512 | 2,500 | 250-15 — heavy-duty forklift |
| 145 | 6,393 | 2,900 | 300-15 — high-capacity |
| 150 | 7,385 | 3,350 | 9.00-20 — large outdoor IC |
| 155 | 8,543 | 3,875 | 10.00-20 — very high capacity |
| 160 | 9,921 | 4,500 | 12.00-20 — industrial outdoor |
Load index values per ETRTO / TRA industrial tire standards. Values represent single-tire maximum load at rated speed. For a four-tire forklift: total tire capacity = 4 × single tire capacity. Never mix load indexes — always match or exceed the OEM specification.
Forklift Tire Size Formulas
Press-On / Cushion Tire (e.g. 21×7×15)
══════════════════════════════════════
Format: OD × Width × Rim (all in inches, or all in mm)
Sidewall = (OD − Rim) ÷ 2 = (21 − 15) ÷ 2 = 3.00"
Circumference = π × OD = 3.14159 × 21 = 65.97"
Wear OD = Rim + ⅓(OD−Rim) = 15 + ⅓×6 = 17.00" (replace at this point)
Metric conversion: multiply each dimension × 25.4
21 × 25.4 = 533.4 mm | 7 × 25.4 = 177.8 mm | 15 × 25.4 = 381.0 mm
Pneumatic Imperial (e.g. 7.00-12)
══════════════════════════════════
Format: Width - Rim (width in inches, rim in inches)
OD approx = 2 × (Width × 0.92) + Rim
= 2 × (7.00 × 0.92) + 12 = 2 × 6.44 + 12 = 24.88" (published: ~26")
Note: Actual OD is manufacturer-dependent; use published spec sheet for precision.
Low-Profile Solid Resilient (e.g. 28×9-15)
═══════════════════════════════════════════
Format: OD × Width - Rim (all in inches)
Sidewall = (OD − Rim) ÷ 2 = (28 − 15) ÷ 2 = 6.50"
Aspect = Sidewall ÷ Width × 100 = 6.50 ÷ 9 × 100 = 72%
Metric ISO Industrial (e.g. 200/50-10)
═══════════════════════════════════════
Format: Width(mm) / AspectRatio - Rim(in)
Sidewall (mm) = Width × (Aspect ÷ 100) = 200 × 0.50 = 100 mm = 3.937"
OD (in) = Rim + 2 × Sidewall(in) = 10 + 2 × 3.937 = 17.87"
Important: Forklift Tire Safety
Always verify against the data plate.Every forklift has a data plate (capacity nameplate) that specifies the OEM tire size. Changing tire size can affect the machine's rated load capacity, stability triangle, and speedometer calibration. The data plate rating is specific to the specified tire size and counterweight — changing either requires a re-evaluation by a qualified engineer.
Do not mix tire types on the same axle. Running a pneumatic on one side and a solid on the other creates severe load imbalance and is prohibited by OSHA 1910.178(e). Replace tires in matched pairs (both drive or both steer) from the same batch where possible.
Inspect every 250 operating hours.Check OD wear to the safety line on press-on tires. Check tread depth on pneumatics — replace when tread depth reaches 2/32" or when the wear indicator is flush. Damaged tires (chunking, cracking, delamination) should be replaced immediately regardless of wear depth.
How to Read a Forklift Tire Size
Forklift tires use three distinct sizing systems that coexist in parts catalogues, equipment data plates, and warehouse management systems — and the systems do not look alike. A press-on (cushion) tire uses a three-number format where all dimensions are explicit: OD × Width × Rim in inches (e.g. 21×7×15) or the exact same three numbers in millimetres (533×178×381). A pneumatic tire uses a two-number imperial format — Width-Rim — where the outer diameter is not stated and must be computed or looked up (7.00-12 means 7-inch-wide tire on a 12-inch rim). A metric ISO industrial tire uses the European automotive format — Width/AspectRatio-Rim — where width is in millimetres, aspect ratio is a percentage, and rim is in inches (200/50-10). All three formats represent real physical dimensions of rubber; the decoder on this page handles all three simultaneously.
Press-On vs. Pneumatic: When to Use Each
The choice between press-on and pneumatic tires is determined entirely by the operating surface, not by the forklift's capacity class. Press-on (cushion) tires are mandatory on smooth, hard concrete — the absence of tread prevents the rubber compound from tearing on abrasive surfaces, and the smaller footprint is safer on dry, clean warehouse floors with tight turning radii. Pneumatic tires are required any time the forklift operates on loose material, rough asphalt, outdoor dock plates, gravel, or uneven terrain — the tread pattern provides the traction that smooth press-on rubber cannot. Running a press-on forklift outdoors on any surface other than clean, sealed concrete will destroy the tires in a fraction of the normal service life and risks the steel band damaging the floor on return to the building.
Understanding Forklift Tire Wear and Replacement Intervals
Press-on tires have a moulded safety line — a horizontal groove or colour indicator — that marks the mandatory replacement point, typically at one-third of the original rubber height remaining above the steel band. For the ubiquitous 21×7×15, the original rubber height is (21 − 15) = 6 inches; one-third = 2 inches; the replacement OD is therefore 17 inches. Operating below this threshold causes the steel band to flex, risks band separation, and transfers harsh floor-surface impacts directly into the mast and frame. Pneumatic forklift tires follow the same principles as heavy-truck tires: replace when tread depth reaches 2/32 inches, or immediately if chunking, sidewall cracking, cord separation, or bead damage is visible. Most fleet operators on high-throughput three-shift operations inspect tire condition weekly and typically achieve 6–12 months of service life on press-on tires, depending on floor condition and operating hours.
Forklift Tire Sizes Across Major Brands
The major global forklift manufacturers — Toyota, Hyster, Yale, Clark, Nissan, Crown, Caterpillar, and Jungheinrich — converged on a small set of common tire sizes in the 3,000–8,000 lb capacity class, which is why the 21×7×15 press-on and the 7.00-12 pneumatic are universal. Above 10,000 lb, sizes diverge more significantly between brands. Yale's GDP100 and Hyster's H100 typically share the 23×9×17 cushion size because the two companies share platform engineering. Clark's C500 series uses a slightly wider 21×8×15 on the drive axle compared to Toyota's 21×7×15 for the same capacity. European manufacturers like Jungheinrich and Linde often specify their press-on tires in metric format, so the same physical tire is called 533×178×381 in their parts books and 21×7×15 in a North American Toyota catalogue — the sizes are identical.