Quick Answer
- A press-on (cushion) size is outer diameter x width x rim in inches: 21x7x15 is 21 in tall, 7 in wide on a 15 in band, or 533x178x381 mm. The rubber height per side is (21 - 15) / 2 = 3 in (calculated).
- A pneumatic size such as 7.00-12 is section width and rim diameter in inches. Carlisle lists its 7.00-12 Industrial Deep Traction (12 ply) at 27.4 in mounted diameter, 5,995 lb capacity at up to 125 psi.
- To measure a tire, measure the outer diameter and the tread width, and read the rim or band diameter. Use the size on your forklift data plate.
Decode a press-on, OD × width - rim or metric size into dimensions in inches & mm (calculated), look up Carlisle's published pneumatic sizes, and compare two sizes side by side.
Accepted: OD×W×Rim press-on · W.WW-R pneumatic · OD×W-R low-profile · W/AR-R metric ISO · metric mm values
Dimensions not marked as published are calculated from the size entered; actual manufactured dimensions vary by brand 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 forklift tire sizes and what we have sourced from manufacturers.
How to Use This Calculator
- 1Decode Tab: Read a size: Enter a press-on size (21×7×15 or 533×178×381), an OD × width - rim size (28×9-15 or 18×7-8), a metric size (200/50-10) or a Carlisle published pneumatic size (7.00-12, 8.25-15). The decoder computes outer diameter, width, rim diameter, sidewall height, circumference and aspect ratio; for Carlisle sizes the diameter and width are the published values.
- 2Compare Tab: Compare two sizes: Enter one size in each field to see the difference in every dimension. A note appears if the outer diameters differ by more than 0.5 inches; confirm any alternate size with your forklift manufacturer.
- 3Reference Tab: Carlisle published sizes: Open the table of Carlisle pneumatic sizes with published mounted diameter, width, rim width, ply rating, capacity and maximum pressure.
Press-On / Cushion Forklift Tire Size Conversions
| Imperial Size | Metric (mm) | OD (in) | Width (in) | Rim (in) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16×6×10.5 | 406×152×267 | 16″ | 6″ | 10.5″ | Calculated |
| 18×7×12.125 | 457×178×308 | 18″ | 7″ | 12.125″ | Calculated |
| 21×7×15 | 533×178×381 | 21″ | 7″ | 15″ | Calculated |
| 21×8×15 | 533×203×381 | 21″ | 8″ | 15″ | Calculated |
| 23×9×17 | 584×229×432 | 23″ | 9″ | 17″ | Calculated |
Examples of the OD×Width×Rim format with metric equivalents (inches × 25.4, rounded to the nearest mm). We have no official table of press-on sizes or of which machines use them.
Pneumatic Forklift Tire Sizes (Carlisle Published)
| Line | Size | Ply | Mounted dia. (in) | Mounted width (in) | Rim width | Max capacity @ 10 mph (lb) | Max psi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial Deep Traction | 5.70/5.00-8 | 8 | 18.2″ | 5.5″ | 4.5/3.0 | 1,830 | 115 |
| Industrial Deep Traction | 6.90/6.00-9 | 10 | 21.9″ | 6.9″ | 5.5/4.0 | 3,715 | 125 |
| Industrial Deep Traction | 6.50-10 | 10 | 23.4″ | 7.4″ | 5.00 | 4,225 | 115 |
| Industrial Deep Traction | 7.00-12 | 12 | 27.4″ | 7.8″ | 5.00 | 5,995 | 125 |
| Industrial Deep Traction | 8.25-15 | 12 | 33.6″ | 9.8″ | 6.50 | 8,680 | 105 |
| Industrial Deep Traction | 29x8.00-15 | 12 | 29.2″ | 7.5″ | 5.50 | 6,870 | 125 |
| Industrial All Purpose | 7.50-10 | E | 25.3″ | 7.6″ | 5.50 | 1,975 | 90 |
| Premium Wide Trac | 28x9.00-15 | 12 | 27.3″ | 8.8″ | 7.00 | 6,880 | 120 |
| Premium Wide Trac | 28x12.00-15 | 20 | 28.1″ | 11.5″ | 9.75 | 10,800 | 150 |
| Premium Wide Trac | 7.50-16.00 | 12 | 32.3″ | 8.5″ | 6.00 | 8,000 | 115 |
Source: Carlisle Brand Specialty Tire and Wheel Catalog (2019). Tube-type non-highway-service (NHS) tires with flap. Capacity is for the load wheel of a counterbalanced lift truck at 10 mph; Carlisle says limits are lower on continuous-service industrial vehicles.
Forklift Tire Sizes by Brand & Model
Sizes published in manufacturer spec sheets for the models below. We found no tire size in Clark's spec sheet and have no manufacturer source for other models, so check the data plate and operator manual for your machine.
| Brand | Models | Type | Front (drive) | Rear (steer) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota | 40/50-8FGU15, 8FGU18 | Pneumatic | 6.50-10-10PR | 5.00-8-8PR | Toyota Core IC Pneumatic spec sheet (2023) |
| Toyota | 40/50-8FGU20, 8FGU25 | Pneumatic | 7.00-12-12PR | 6.00-9-10PR | Toyota Core IC Pneumatic spec sheet (2023) |
| Toyota | 40/50-8FGU30, 8FGU32 | Pneumatic | 28 x 9-15 (12PR; 14PR on 8FGU32) | 6.50-10-10PR | Toyota Core IC Pneumatic spec sheet (2023) |
| Hyster | H40XT, H50XT | Pneumatic | 7.00 x 12 - 12 | 6.00 x 9 | Hyster H40-60XT technical guide |
| Hyster | H60XT | Pneumatic | 28 x 9 - 15 | 6.50 x 10 | Hyster H40-60XT technical guide |
| Yale | GP40N, GP50N (also GDP40N, GDP50N) | Pneumatic | 7.00-12 | 6.00x9 | Yale Series N spec sheet |
| Yale | GP60N, GP70N (also GDP60N, GDP70N) | Pneumatic | 28x9-15 | 6.50x10 | Yale Series N spec sheet |
| Crown | FC 5215, FC 5225, FC 5245 (2.0-2.5 t) | Cushion | 533 x 178 x 381 mm (21×7×15 in) | 406 x 152 x 267 mm (16×6×10.5 in) | Crown FC 5200 specifications |
| Crown | FC 5225, FC 5245 (3.0 t) | Cushion | 533 x 203 x 381 mm (21×8×15 in) | 406 x 152 x 267 mm (16×6×10.5 in) | Crown FC 5200 specifications |
| Nissan | PF30, PF35 (Platinum II) | Pneumatic | 6.50-10-10PR | 5.00-8-8PR | Nissan Platinum II spec sheet PF30-PF70 |
| Nissan | PF40, PFU40, PFD40, PF50, PFU50, PFD50 | Pneumatic | 7.00-12-12PR | 6.00-9-10PR | Nissan Platinum II spec sheet PF30-PF70 |
| Nissan | PF55, PF60, PFD60 | Pneumatic | 28 x 9-15-12PR | 6.50-10-10PR | Nissan Platinum II spec sheet PF30-PF70 |
| Nissan | PF70, PFD70 | Pneumatic | 250-15-16PR | 6.50-10-12PR | Nissan Platinum II spec sheet PF30-PF70 |
| Cat Lift Trucks | DP20NM, DP25NM (preliminary sheet) | Pneumatic | 7.00-12-12PR | 6.00-9-8PR (DP20NM), 6.00-9-10PR (DP25NM) | Cat GP15NM-GP35NM / DP20NM-DP35NM preliminary specifications |
| Cat Lift Trucks | DP30NM (preliminary sheet) | Pneumatic | 28x9-15-12PR | 6.50-10-10PR | Cat GP15NM-GP35NM / DP20NM-DP35NM preliminary specifications |
| Jungheinrich | EFG 213, EFG 216k, EFG 216 (3-wheel) | Solid pneumatic | 18x7-8 | 140/55-9 | Jungheinrich EFG 213-320 spec sheet |
| Jungheinrich | EFG 316k, EFG 316 (4-wheel) | Solid pneumatic | 18x7-8 | 16x6-8 | Jungheinrich EFG 213-320 spec sheet |
| Jungheinrich | EFG 318k (4-wheel) | Solid pneumatic | 200/50-10 | 16x6-8 | Jungheinrich EFG 213-320 spec sheet |
| Moffett | M5 20.3 NX, M5 20.4 NX, M5 25.3 NX, M5 25.4 NX | Truck-mounted | 280×60-15.5 (standard) | one standard size listed | Moffett M5 NX product brochure (Hiab) |
| Manitou | MT 1840 (telehandler) | Telehandler | 440/80-24 | one size listed | Manitou MT 1840 technical data sheet |
| JCB | 535-95 (telehandler) | Telehandler | 15.5 R24 | one size listed | JCB Loadall 535-95 specification sheet |
Forklift Tire Capacity and Load Index
We have no official forklift load-index chart. The table above gives the maximum capacity Carlisle publishes for each tire listed. Use the tire maker's data for your exact tire and the forklift manufacturer's data plate for the machine.
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" 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) ══════════════════════════════════ The overall diameter is not part of the size code. We use the mounted diameter published by Carlisle where a size is listed (7.00-12 Industrial Deep Traction: 27.4"). We have no official formula for other sizes. OD × Width - Rim (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 (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
Use the size the manufacturer specifies. The forklift data plate and operator manual give the tire size for your machine. We have no official source for the effect of changing tire size on rated capacity or stability, so confirm any alternate size with the forklift manufacturer.
Capacity depends on the tire and use. Carlisle says the capacities it publishes are for the load wheel of a counterbalanced lift truck and are lower on continuous-service industrial vehicles.
How to Read a Forklift Tire Size
A press-on (cushion) tire is marked OD × Width × Rim in inches (for example 21×7×15), or the same dimensions in millimetres. A pneumatic tire is marked in formats such as 7.00-12 (section width and rim in inches) or OD × Width - Rim (28×9-15). Metric sizes use width in mm, aspect ratio and rim in inches (200/50-10). Overall diameter is only explicit in the press-on and OD × Width - Rim formats; for pneumatic sizes use the tire maker's published diameter, as in the Carlisle table above.
Press-On vs. Pneumatic: What We Can and Cannot Say
We have no official source that says which tire type to use for which surface or capacity class, so we make no recommendation. Follow your forklift manufacturer's specification. Carlisle lists its pneumatic forklift tires as tube-type non-highway-service tires with flaps.
Forklift Tire Wear and Replacement
Pneumatic tire pressures are published in PSI or kPa; the PSI to kPa converter converts between them, and the tire age and DOT code decoder reads a tire's manufacture date where one is marked.
We have no official source for a general replacement threshold or inspection interval for forklift tires, so we give none. Follow the forklift manufacturer's and tire maker's instructions. Carlisle publishes new-tire tread depth in 32nds for its pneumatic lines, for example 21/32 for the 7.00-12 Industrial Deep Traction.