Guide to Go Kart Wheel Sizes + Size Chart

Most go-kart wheel sizes are 4.50 x 10.0 – 5. Racing tires come in various sizes, and you can read the dimensions by looking at the numbers printed on the tire sidewall. There are pros and cons to using smaller or larger tires in kart racing, depending on the type of tire that best suits your driving style.

After identifying common sizes, let's make sure we know how to measure go-kart wheels accurately and understand the differences between smaller and larger tires in kart racing.

How are go-kart wheels measured?

The tire size printed on the sidewall may seem like a random set of numbers at first, but they are actually quite important. These numbers represent tire dimensions.

Here's how to read tire sizes on a go-kart. The first number, for example, 4.50, is the tire's height. The next number, for example, 10.0, is the tire's width, and the last number, for example, 5, is the wheel size. So, the complete equation looks like this: tire height x tire width - wheel size.

With this information, you can quickly and easily measure the size of any go-kart tire you encounter.

What size tires do go-karts use?

There's no secret that go-karts use small wheels; you can see that clearly just by looking at them. Generally, karting tires range in height from 4 to 6 inches. They are also wide, ranging from 8 to 11 inches.

The wheel size is usually around 5 inches on average, although some karts may use smaller or larger wheels, depending on the type of wheel fitted to the kart. These wheels are extremely small and light, and we'll address the reasons behind these smaller wheels later.

Which wheel size is best for racing?

Different kart tire sizes will provide you with different performance aspects. It's important to remember if you want to get the best performance out of your go-kart. However, there's no simple answer to which tire size is best when it comes to kart racing. It all depends on the track and your driving style!

Tire Height
Let's start with height. The larger the tire, the heavier it will be. Larger tires will mean you lose some straight-line speed and maximum speed at the end of the straight. These tires not only weigh more but also create more aerodynamic drag, which will further reduce your speed on the straight.

However, larger tires will help you grip the track better and accelerate better. This is why you always see racing cars with larger rear tires. If you're driving on a narrow and twisty track with short straights, larger tires will be better! However, you must remember that tire height makes a small difference in performance, so it's best to use shorter tires in this case to save weight.

Tire Width
The width of the tire will make the biggest difference, so this is the area you should focus on. Wider tires will help you grip the track better because they have a larger contact surface. This means there's more rubber in contact with the track, giving you better grip and traction. In Formula 1, they also use wider tires because they provide higher grip levels and allow the car to corner much faster. The same effect applies in kart racing.

However, wider tires will make you run slower on the straight. Rolling resistance will be much higher when you use wider tires. With more rubber in contact with the track, the engine will need more force and power to make the wheels move and keep them moving!

Wider tires will also help your kart brake better. The wider your rear tires, the better grip they will have, allowing you to decelerate faster and more efficiently. As we know, the later you brake, the faster you can go! Late braking also helps with overtaking, so this is an important factor to consider.

Wheel Diameter
Wheel diameter does not affect the performance of the kart. This is just to ensure that the tire fits the kart wheel. You need to remember your wheel size and make sure to purchase tires that match your kart's wheel diameter.

Why do go-karts have small wheels?

All go-karts have small wheels (except off-road karts). Off-road karts need larger tires to negotiate terrain. This allows them to cover bumps and dips in rough terrain.

However, for racing karts, smaller wheels are better. First, they bring the kart closer to the ground, reducing the kart's height. The lower the kart's ride height, the lower its center of gravity. This means better stability and grip, especially when cornering. It also aids the kart's aerodynamics, helping increase corner entry speed and straight-line speed.

Go-karts also have small wheels because the entire kart is small. Karts are designed only for one person and are extremely simple and inexpensive as the cheapest form of motor racing. Having smaller wheels helps racing karts achieve those goals.

Conclusion:
In general, racing karts have wheel sizes of around 5 inches in wheel diameter, 4.50 inches in tire height, and 10 inches in tire width. There are many different sizes of racing tires, and you can find the tire size printed on the sidewall. Larger tires provide better grip, acceleration, and braking, while smaller tires offer higher straight-line speed at the end of the straight.