Wheel spacers can be one of the simplest ways to fine-tune wheel fitment, create additional clearance, or give a car or truck a wider, more aggressive stance. But choosing the right spacer is not as simple as deciding how far you want your wheels to stick out.
The correct wheel spacer size depends on your vehicle, wheel width, wheel offset, bolt pattern, centre bore, tire size, suspension setup, and the amount of clearance available.
If you are shopping for wheel spacers in Canada, this guide explains how 5mm, 10mm, 15mm, 20mm and larger spacers affect fitment, how spacers change effective wheel offset, when hub-centric designs matter, and what you should measure before ordering.
If you already know your vehicle and wheel specifications, you can shop aftermarket wheel spacers at Too Fast Auto Parts.
What Do Wheel Spacers Do?
A wheel spacer installs between the vehicle's hub and wheel, moving the wheel farther outward from its original mounting position.
Depending on the vehicle and wheel setup, wheel spacers may be used to:
- Create additional clearance between the wheel and suspension components
- Help provide clearance for larger brake components in certain applications
- Fine-tune the position of aftermarket wheels
- Reduce excessive wheel tuck
- Create a wider or more flush stance
- Adjust fitment after changing wheel width or offset
Because the wheel moves outward, installing a spacer also changes the wheel's effective offset. Spacer thickness should therefore be considered as part of the complete wheel and tire setup.
What Size Wheel Spacers Do You Need?
There is no universal spacer size that works for every vehicle. The best thickness depends on what you are trying to correct and how much room your current setup has available.
Here is a general comparison of common wheel spacer sizes:
| Spacer Size | Approx. Wheel Movement | Common Use | What to Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5mm | 5mm outward | Minor clearance corrections or subtle stance changes | Stud engagement and hub contact |
| 10mm | 10mm outward | Moderate clearance or more flush fitment | Hub engagement, stud length and fender clearance |
| 15mm | 15mm outward | Noticeable performance fitment or stance changes | Suspension travel and tire-to-fender clearance |
| 20mm | 20mm outward | Significant clearance or stance adjustment | Full steering lock, hardware and outer clearance |
| 25mm+ | 25mm+ outward | Application-specific truck, SUV or aggressive fitment setups | Bolt pattern, centre bore, studs and overall compatibility |
The goal is usually to use the smallest appropriate spacer that provides the clearance or wheel position you need. A thicker spacer is not automatically better.
5mm Wheel Spacers
A 5mm wheel spacer is typically used for small fitment adjustments. It can be useful when a wheel sits very close to a suspension component or when only a subtle outward adjustment is required.
A 5mm spacer may make sense when:
- You need only a few millimetres of additional inner clearance
- Your aftermarket wheel sits slightly farther inward than desired
- You want a subtle stance adjustment
- You are correcting a minor wheel or suspension clearance issue
Even with a thin spacer, make sure the wheel fastening hardware maintains the engagement required by the vehicle and spacer manufacturer.
10mm Wheel Spacers
A 10mm spacer produces a more noticeable fitment change. It moves the wheel approximately 10mm farther outward and can be useful when a very thin spacer does not provide enough clearance.
Ten millimetres can make a significant difference on cars with tight suspension-to-wheel tolerances, especially vehicles using coilovers or wider aftermarket wheels.
At this thickness, check hub engagement, stud or bolt length, wheel design, and outer fender clearance carefully.
15mm Wheel Spacers
A 15mm spacer creates a substantial visual and functional change compared with a 5mm spacer.
This thickness is often considered when an owner wants a more flush wheel position or when aftermarket components require additional inner clearance.
Before moving a wheel 15mm outward, verify that the tire will still clear the fender, liner and surrounding bodywork as the suspension compresses and the steering moves through its full range.
20mm Wheel Spacers
A 20mm wheel spacer moves the wheel approximately 20mm outward. On many vehicles, that is enough to produce a major difference in stance.
It may be useful in certain truck, SUV and performance applications, but the additional movement makes proper measurements increasingly important.
Do not evaluate the setup only while the vehicle is parked. Check clearance during:
- Full steering lock in both directions
- Suspension compression
- Normal ride height
- Loaded driving conditions
- Uneven terrain when relevant to the vehicle
25mm and Larger Wheel Spacers
Wheel spacers of approximately 25mm or more create a major fitment change and are commonly available in vehicle-specific bolt-on configurations.
At these sizes, confirming the correct bolt pattern, centre bore, wheel clearance, hardware and vehicle compatibility becomes especially important.
Large spacers should not simply be used to compensate for an incorrectly selected wheel without evaluating the complete wheel, tire and suspension setup.
How Wheel Spacers Affect Wheel Offset
Understanding wheel offset makes choosing spacer thickness much easier.
Wheel offset describes the position of the wheel mounting surface in relation to the centreline of the wheel. Installing a spacer moves the entire wheel outward, which effectively reduces positive offset.
For example, consider a wheel with a +40mm offset:
| Original Wheel Offset | Spacer Thickness | Approx. Effective Offset |
|---|---|---|
| +40mm | 5mm | +35mm |
| +40mm | 10mm | +30mm |
| +40mm | 15mm | +25mm |
| +40mm | 20mm | +20mm |
| +40mm | 25mm | +15mm |
The basic relationship is:
Effective Offset = Original Wheel Offset - Spacer Thickness
A +40mm wheel with a 15mm spacer therefore sits approximately where a +25mm wheel of the same width would sit.
This is why wheel spacer thickness cannot be evaluated independently from wheel width and offset.
If you need help determining your current wheel specifications, read our guide on how to measure wheel offset before you buy.
How to Measure the Wheel Spacer Size You Need
Before ordering spacers, determine both how much additional inner clearance you need and how much farther outward the wheel can safely move.
1. Check the Current Wheel Position
Park the vehicle on level ground with the wheels pointing straight ahead.
Look at where the tire and wheel sit relative to the outer fender. If your goal is a more flush appearance, measure the horizontal distance between the wheel or tire and the fender edge.
For example, if you measure approximately 15mm of space between the tire and the desired outer position, that gives you a starting point. It does not automatically mean that a 15mm spacer will fit because the tire still needs clearance during suspension travel and steering.
2. Check Inner Wheel Clearance
If you are considering a wheel spacer because something is touching on the inside, identify the exact interference point.
Check clearance around:
- Struts
- Coilovers
- Upper and lower control arms
- Brake calipers
- Tie rods
- Suspension hardware
Measure how much additional room is actually needed rather than automatically selecting a large spacer.
3. Turn the Wheels to Full Lock
Turn the steering fully in both directions and inspect clearance again.
A wheel and tire combination that clears perfectly when pointing straight ahead may contact the liner, bumper or suspension when turning.
4. Consider Suspension Travel
The tire moves as the suspension compresses. Lowered cars, vehicles with wide tires, and trucks using larger tire sizes may have particularly tight clearance.
Make sure there is enough room for the wheel and tire to move through the suspension's operating range.
What to Check Before Buying Wheel Spacers
Spacer thickness is only one part of wheel spacer fitment. Before ordering, verify the specifications of your vehicle, wheel and tire setup.
| Specification | Why It Matters | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Bolt Pattern | The spacer must match the vehicle's wheel mounting pattern | 5x100, 5x114.3, 5x120, 6x139.7 |
| Vehicle Hub Bore | Determines compatibility with hub-centric spacer designs | 60.1mm, 66.1mm, 67.1mm |
| Wheel Centre Bore | Determines how the wheel fits over the hub or hub-centric ring | 73.1mm |
| Wheel Offset | Determines the wheel's existing inward or outward position | +35mm |
| Spacer Thickness | Determines approximately how far the wheel moves outward | 5mm, 10mm, 15mm, 20mm |
| Tire Size | Affects suspension, fender and liner clearance | 255/40R18 |
| Stud or Bolt Engagement | Determines whether the wheel can be secured as specified by the manufacturer | Vehicle-specific |
If any of these specifications are unknown, confirm them before ordering instead of selecting a spacer based only on vehicle model or appearance.
Hub-Centric vs Lug-Centric Wheel Spacers
Another important consideration is how the spacer and wheel are centred relative to the vehicle hub.
| Feature | Hub-Centric Spacer | Lug-Centric Spacer |
|---|---|---|
| How It Centres | Designed around the vehicle hub dimensions | Relies primarily on wheel studs or bolts for centring |
| Application | Usually designed for specific hub dimensions | May fit a broader range of compatible applications |
| Fitment | Helps maintain precise wheel centring when correctly matched | Requires particularly careful centring during installation |
| Key Specifications | Bolt pattern, hub bore, wheel bore and thickness | Bolt pattern, hardware, stud engagement and thickness |
What Is a Hub-Centric Wheel Spacer?
A hub-centric wheel spacer is designed to fit closely around the vehicle's hub and provide an appropriate mounting interface for a compatible wheel.
Vehicle-specific hub-centric spacers are commonly used in performance applications because maintaining proper centring can help reduce the chance of vibration caused by an off-centre installation.
What Are Hub-Centric Rings?
Hub-centric rings serve a different purpose from wheel spacers.
Many aftermarket wheels use a centre bore larger than the vehicle hub so one wheel design can be compatible with multiple vehicle applications. A hub-centric ring fills the difference between the vehicle hub diameter and the larger wheel centre bore.
If your aftermarket wheel has a larger centre bore than your vehicle hub, browse hub-centric rings at Too Fast Auto Parts.
A hub-centric ring does not move the wheel outward, and a wheel spacer does not automatically solve a centre-bore mismatch. They address different fitment requirements.
Wheel Spacer Bolt Pattern Matters
Do not choose a wheel spacer based only on thickness.
The spacer must also match the vehicle's bolt pattern. Common patterns include:
- 5x100
- 5x108
- 5x112
- 5x114.3
- 5x120
- 6x135
- 6x139.7
The first number represents the number of mounting points. The second number describes the diameter of the bolt circle in millimetres.
For example, Too Fast Auto Parts carries vehicle-specific 5x114.3 hub-centric wheel spacers in multiple thicknesses for compatible applications.
Always confirm the exact specifications required for your vehicle before purchasing.
Do You Need Longer Wheel Studs?
Whether longer wheel studs or different hardware are required depends on the type and thickness of the spacer.
Thin slip-on spacers reduce the amount of factory stud available for the wheel and lug nut. Some applications therefore require extended studs.
Other spacers use a bolt-on configuration with their own studs and mounting hardware.
Follow the spacer manufacturer's installation requirements and make sure the fastening system provides the specified engagement before driving the vehicle.
Can Wheel Spacers Help With Brake Clearance?
In some applications, yes.
Aftermarket brake calipers or certain wheel spoke designs can create clearance issues between the back of the wheel and brake components. Moving the wheel outward may provide additional clearance.
However, wheel diameter and offset alone do not determine brake clearance. Spoke shape, caliper size, wheel barrel dimensions and mounting-pad design also matter.
Measure the specific setup rather than assuming a particular spacer thickness will solve the problem.
Can Wheel Spacers Stop Tire Rubbing?
It depends entirely on where the tire is rubbing.
| Fitment Problem | Could a Spacer Help? | What to Check First |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel sits too far inside the fender | Possibly | Available outer clearance and current offset |
| Wheel or tire contacts an inner suspension component | Possibly | Exact interference point and required additional clearance |
| Wheel spokes contact the brake caliper | Sometimes | Spoke-to-caliper clearance and wheel design |
| Tire rubs the outer fender | Usually not | Moving the wheel outward can make the problem worse |
| You want a wider stance | Yes, if clearance permits | Fender clearance, wheel offset and tire width |
| Aftermarket wheel has a larger centre bore | Not necessarily | You may need hub-centric rings instead |
If rubbing occurs on the inside near a suspension component, moving the wheel outward may help. If the tire already contacts the outer fender or liner, adding a spacer can make the interference worse.
Always find the exact contact point before changing wheel position.
Wheel Spacers for Trucks
Truck owners often consider wheel spacers after installing larger tires, aftermarket wheels, suspension modifications, upgraded brake components, or when trying to create a wider stance.
Truck fitment should be evaluated under real operating conditions, not only while parked.
Check:
- Tire-to-control-arm clearance
- Fender and liner clearance
- Clearance at full steering lock
- Suspension travel
- Wheel width and offset
- Tire width and overall diameter
- Vehicle-specific hub and bolt-pattern specifications
Keep in mind that installing a lift kit does not automatically guarantee clearance for a larger tire or wider wheel setup. Offset and spacer thickness still affect where the tire travels during steering and suspension movement.
Wheel Spacers for Cars
On cars, wheel spacers are frequently considered after installing aftermarket wheels, coilovers, performance brakes, or wider tires.
Lowered and performance-oriented vehicles can have particularly tight tolerances between the inside of the wheel and the suspension and between the outside of the tire and the fender.
A difference of only 5mm or 10mm can therefore have a noticeable impact on fitment.
This makes accurate measurement especially important before choosing spacer thickness.
Are Wheel Spacers Safe?
Wheel spacer safety depends on using compatible components, appropriate hardware and correct installation.
Before installing wheel spacers, confirm:
- The bolt pattern matches the vehicle
- The centre bore is appropriate for the application
- The selected spacer thickness provides adequate clearance
- The wheel studs or bolts provide the engagement required by the manufacturer
- The mounting surfaces are clean and flat
- The correct hardware is used
- Fasteners are tightened to the specified torque
- Hardware is rechecked when recommended by the manufacturer
If you are uncertain about fitment or installation, have the setup inspected or installed by a qualified automotive professional.
Common Wheel Spacer Mistakes to Avoid
Choosing Spacer Size Based Only on Appearance
A wider stance may look good while the vehicle is parked, but the tire still needs enough room to turn and move through the suspension's range of travel.
Ignoring Wheel Offset
A 20mm spacer on a high-positive-offset factory wheel will produce a different final position than the same spacer installed behind an aggressive low-offset aftermarket wheel.
Always calculate effective offset.
Not Checking the Centre Bore
A matching bolt pattern does not guarantee full compatibility. Hub and wheel centre-bore dimensions also need to be checked.
Using More Spacer Than Necessary
The goal should be to correct the fitment issue with an appropriate spacer thickness—not simply use the thickest spacer available.
Forgetting About Tire Size
Wheel fitment cannot be evaluated without the tire. A wider or taller tire can contact components even when the wheel itself appears to have sufficient clearance.
Checking Clearance Only While Parked
Always account for steering angle and suspension travel. Static clearance does not guarantee clearance while driving.
5mm vs 10mm vs 15mm vs 20mm Wheel Spacers: Quick Comparison
| Spacer | Fitment Change | Typical Goal | Best Starting Point For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5mm | Small | Minor clearance | Small fitment corrections |
| 10mm | Moderate | Clearance + stance | Wheels that sit slightly too far inward |
| 15mm | Noticeable | Flush fitment | Modified cars and performance setups |
| 20mm | Significant | Major stance adjustment | Application-specific car and truck setups |
| 25mm+ | Major | Large positioning change | Specific vehicle and wheel combinations |
This comparison is a starting point only. Always measure your specific vehicle before choosing a spacer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wheel Spacers
What size wheel spacer should I use?
Use the smallest appropriate spacer that provides the clearance or wheel position your setup requires. Measure the vehicle and check wheel offset, tire size, bolt pattern, centre bore and available suspension and fender clearance before choosing a thickness.
Do wheel spacers change offset?
Yes. A wheel spacer effectively reduces positive offset because it moves the wheel farther outward. For example, a +40mm wheel with a 10mm spacer has an approximate effective offset of +30mm.
Are 5mm wheel spacers enough?
A 5mm spacer can be enough for a minor clearance problem or subtle wheel-position adjustment. Whether it is sufficient depends on the actual amount of clearance required.
Are 20mm wheel spacers too big?
Not necessarily. Some vehicle-specific applications are designed around 20mm or larger spacers. However, moving the wheel 20mm outward is a significant fitment change, so fender, tire, suspension and steering clearance should be checked carefully.
Do I need hub-centric wheel spacers?
Hub-centric spacers are designed around specific hub dimensions and are commonly preferred for compatible vehicle-specific applications. The correct choice depends on your vehicle hub, wheel centre bore and spacer design.
Do wheel spacers require longer studs?
Some do. Thin slip-on spacers may reduce available stud engagement and can require extended studs, while certain bolt-on spacers incorporate their own mounting hardware. Follow the manufacturer's requirements for your specific spacer.
Can wheel spacers fix wheel rubbing?
They may help when rubbing occurs on the inside near suspension components. If the tire already rubs the outer fender, moving it farther outward could make the problem worse.
Can I use wheel spacers on a truck?
Wheel spacers are available for many truck applications. Confirm the bolt pattern, hub dimensions, wheel offset, tire size, steering clearance and suspension travel before installation.
What is the difference between wheel spacers and hub-centric rings?
A wheel spacer moves the wheel farther outward. A hub-centric ring fills the gap between a vehicle hub and an aftermarket wheel with a larger centre bore. They solve different fitment problems.
Where can I buy wheel spacers in Canada?
Too Fast Auto Parts carries aftermarket wheel spacers in Canada for a range of vehicle and wheel applications. Always verify the required specifications before ordering.
Shop Wheel Spacers in Canada
The right wheel spacer can help fine-tune clearance and stance, but correct fitment should always come first.
Before ordering, confirm your vehicle's bolt pattern, hub bore, wheel centre bore, wheel width, offset, tire size and available clearance. Then determine the minimum spacer thickness required to achieve your goal.
Shop wheel spacers at Too Fast Auto Parts or browse our hub-centric rings if your aftermarket wheel requires a centre-bore adapter.
Still working out your wheel fitment? Read How to Measure Wheel Offset Before You Buy before choosing your final spacer size.