How to Measure Your Bike Tire Size

Bicycle wheels come in sets of standardized sizes. It is important to know these sizes so that you can purchase correctly sized tubes, tires and other wheel parts. Determining the size of your wheel only takes a few moments and a tape measure. In some cases, you won't even need that.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Tape measure

Step 1

Check the sidewall on any tire that may still be mounted on your bike wheel. If there is still a tire on the wheel, you can save a lot of time this way, because in almost every case the size of the tire (and therefore the wheel) is stamped onto the sidewall. The size code will have two numbers, with an "x" in between--for example, 700x23. The first number is the diameter of the wheel, from rim to rim, and the second is the width of the wheel. The measurements are listed in either inches or millimeters.

Step 2

If there is no tire to check, stretch a measuring tape from one edge of the wheel to the other and record the distance in both inches and millimeters. Be certain that the tape crosses directly over the hub of the wheel and is pulled taut to get an accurate measurement.

Step 3

Now measure from one edge of the rim across the width of the wheel to the other with your measuring tape. Record this distance in both inches and millimeters. The resulting two numbers are the wheel size. For example, 700 mm by 28 mm is a 700x28 wheel. Purchase tires and other wheel parts accordingly.

Article Written By Nichole Liandi

Based in Virginia, Nichole Liandi has been a freelance writer since 2005. Her articles have appeared on various print and online publications. Liandi has traveled extensively in Europe and East Asia and incorporates her experiences into her articles. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in history from West Virginia University.

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