Golf Cart Tire Sizes
Not all golf cart tires are created equal or standardized? Just like different types of automobiles require different tire sizes and types, golf carts also require different tire sizes depending on the type of cart your sporting around.
Stock Golf Cart Tires
Many stock golf cart tires clock in at 18 inches tall and 8.5 inches wide when full of air. This type of tire can be fitted on an 8-inch round hub. The two most common stock tire sizes are 8 inches wide.
However, these tires can come in other sizes as well, such as:
- 10-inch tires
- 12-inch tires
- 14-inch tires
There are even options to customize your tires depending on your needs or make/model.
If you know the basic information about your golf cart, you can eliminate the guesswork by using an application to find the correct tire size for your golf cart.
Information you will generally need includes the following:
What is the make of your golf cart?
What is the model of your golf cart?
What year your golf cart was manufactured?
Does the cart have a lift kit installed or not?
All of this can help you find out which tire is best suited to your golf cart. You can also keep an old tire to use as a reference. Even taking a picture of the tire may be helpful, as long as you get a close up of the tire to show any relevant information.
Lifted and Non-Lifted Carts
Another factor that will make a difference in your golf cart tire size is whether your cart is lifted or not. Lift kits are used to create more distance between the bottom of your cart and the ground. This is useful for all-terrain situations.
If you have a lifted cart, this will also affect your golf cart tire size. Lifted carts usually require larger tires or ones that are offset to make up for the height differential.
Wheel Offset
Some wheels have an offset that needs to be accounted for. Dealing with wheel offset might seem a bit frustrating at first. But let’s break down how to figure this out.
The first number in the offset is how much backspacing is being represented.
The second number is the distance from the mounting space (where the wheel touches the hub) to the front edge of the wheel itself.
You can tell your wheel is centered when there is an equal distance between the front and rear wheel edge from where the hub touches the wheel.
There are two profiles that golf cart tires are available in:
Low Profile
Low profile golf cart tires are thin and will fit on most carts that do not have a lift kit. Think of these as being similar to the sleek, stylish and performance-minded low profile tires you’d put on a sports car.
Off-Road
These golf cart tires (otherwise known as all-terrain) are thicker and intended to handle rough terrain with ease. If you don’t use your cart a lot of paved and flat/smooth surfaces, these tires might be the best option.
By knowing all the customization options on your golf cart, you can narrow down the appropriate tires for your cart. This will help make your selection less confusing, also.
Research Your Tires Before A Purchase
There is a lot of information to consider before purchasing new golf cart tires.
The size can depend on many different factors, including:
The make and model of your cart
Whether or not you installed a lift kit
If wheel offset needs to be considered
If the tire is high or low profile
What is a Low Profile Golf Cart Tire?
Low profile golf cart tires are generally thinner and made to fit any golf cart that IS NOT lifted (no lift kit is installed on the golf cart to make it higher off the ground). A low profile tire can be purchased in several different sizes (8”, 10”, 12” & 14”). Most Club Car, EZ-GO and Yamaha golf carts will accept 8, 10, 12, and 14 inch low-profile tires without a lift kit.
What is a High Profile Golf Cart Tire?
High profile tires, also known as all terrain tires, are generally thicker and made to fit any golf cart that IS lifted (again, no lift kit installed). A high profile tire can be bought in several different sizes as well (8”, 10”, 12” & 14”). All Club Car EZGO and Yamaha golf carts will accept an 8” high-profile golf cart tire without a lift kit.
What are All-Terrain Golf Cart Tires?
An all terrain golf cart tire is just another term for a high profile tire or off road tire. See above for more on high profile tires and click here for some big All Terrain Tires.
What are the most purchased Golf Cart Tire Sizes?
| 205/50-10 | 18″ Tall | 8″ Wide |
| 205/65-10 | 20.5″ Tall | 8″ Wide |
| 205/30-12 | 17″ Tall | 8″ Wide |
| 215/30-12 | 17.1″ Tall | 8.5″ Wide |
| 215/35-12 | 17.9″ Tall | 8.5″ Wide |
| 215/40-12 | 18.5″ Tall | 8.5″ Wide |
| 215/50-12 | 20.5″ Tall | 8.5″ Wide |
| 205/30-14 | 19″ Tall | 8″ Wide |
What Low Profile style tires/wheels can I put on Non-Lifted Golf Carts?
Non-lifted golf cars can fit low profile tire measuring at 8”, 10”, 12” or 14”. This includes all Club Car, EZ-GO and Yamaha golf carts. However, what really matters is the height of the tire from the ground to the top of the tire. All non-lifted golf carts can take 18.5″ tall tires, but some can take a little bigger, i.e., EZGO & Yamaha Drive can take 20″ without a lift.
What High Profile / All-Terrain style tires/wheels can I put on Lifted Golf Carts?
Lifted golf carts can fit ANY 8” tire, low profile OR high profile. In addition, lifted golf carts can fit any high profile tire measuring at 10”, 12” or 14”. Lifted carts will be able to take 20″, 22″, 23″ and in some cases 24″ all terrain tires.
How do I read a Golf Cart Tire Sizes?
Reading golf cart tire sizes can be confusing and cause problems for golf cart owners, but it’s actually not that bad. We’ll break it down here for you to review:
Example #1: Low Profile Tire – 205/65-10
205: This is the width of the golf cart tire across the treads (in millimeters). 205 millimeters is about 8 inches.
65: The ratio of the sidewall to the width (divide the first number, 205 by this number to get the ratio. The bigger the ratio, the bigger the tire).
10: The tire size to match wheel size (in inches)
Example #2: All Terrain Tire – 22×11-8 (much easier and no ratios!)
22: This is the height of the tire (in inches)
11: This is the width of the tire across the treads (in inches)
8: This is the wheel size the tire should be mounted on (in inches)
What actual size is a standard 8” tire (ground to top of tire)?
A standard 8” wheel will generally have an 18” tire, but this can vary a bit. Again, the wheel size is like the doughnut opening of the tire (8 inches), and the ground to top of the tire is how tall the tire is (18 inches).
What is the Max Tire Size on Non-Lifted Club Cars?
Stock Club Car golf carts without a lift can fit 18.5” tires.
What is the max tire size on a lifted Club Car?
3″ Lift – Up to 20″ Tire
4″ Lift – Up to 22″ Tire
5″ Lift – Up to 23″ Tire
6″ Lift – Up to 23″ Tire
What is the Max Tire Size on Non-Lifted Yamahas?
Stock Yamaha DRIVE / G29 golf carts that have not been lifted can fit up to 20” tires. Stock Yamaha G19-G22 golf carts that have not been lifted are able to fit at max 18.5” tires. Check out our large golf cart tire supply of Yamaha Tires for reference.
What is the max tire size on a lifted Yamaha?
3″ Lift – Up to 20″
4″ Lift – Up to 22″
5″ Lift – Up to 22″
6″ Lift – Up to 23″
Which golf carts can take 24” tires?
Club Car: 6” A-arm lift with extension plate.
Club Car: 8” Spindle lift (up to 27” tire), 7” z-bracket lift (up to 25” tire), and 9” z-bracket lift (up to 27” tire).
EZGO: 7” lift up to 25” tire.
Yamaha: Yamaha golf carts with a 3” – 7” lift cannot accept a 24” tire.
What low profile tires can you put on a golf cart with a 3” lift kit?
3” golf cart lift kits can allow for 8”, 10”, 12” and 14” low profile tires.
What low profile tires can you put on a golf cart with a 6” lift kit?
You can put ANY size low profile tire on a golf cart with a 6” lift. However, 8” wheels with 18” tires would look pretty silly on a super tall 6” lift kit. 12”-14” rims, with 22”-25” tires are generally what golf cart owners with 6” lifts prefer. It just looks better and helps to utilize the height and purpose for your 6” lift.
If I add big golf cart tires, how much faster can it drive?
Bigger golf cart tires (20” to 24”) can add an extra 2-4 MPH of speed depending on the tire size.
What tire sizes generally come with a new or used golf cart?
Quick answer, 8 inches. Golf cart tire size can vary with used golf carts, however, 8” is usually the standard, so that’s generally what you’ll find on stock new and used golf carts.
Which types of golf cart tires are DOT approved?
A DOT golf cart tire is a tire that is approved by the Department of Transportation for legal use on highways. DOT approved golf cart tires have street tread patterns. These golf cart tires come in several different sizes to fit 8”, 10”, 12”, and 14” golf cart wheels.
Which golf cart tires are turf approved?
A traditional golf cart owner will drive on the golf course, paved golf cart paths or roads, and also do some on-street driving. Golf courses have strict rules for which types of tires you have on your golf cart. In order for your cart to be allowed to drive on most courses, you will need a less aggressive tire tread, so you don’t end up leaving trails and destroying the fairway. The most suitable tires for golf course applications are “turf” approved tires. The tread design for Turf approved tires is meant to funnel water out allowing for more grip on the ground, and when driving on grass the cart won’t slip or slide around or tear up the grass. If you are looking for tires to be used on the golf course stick with turf approved golf cart tires.
What is a ply on a golf cart tire?
The ply is how thick the tire is. This tells you the durability and how well the tire will hold up over time. For example, if you plan on using your golf cart for lots of off-roading, or plan on driving your golf cart on rough, rigid terrain, you’ll want to opt for 4 ply or 6 ply (6 ply being for the off-road enthusiast!). For smoother surfaces or some light off-roading, you’ll want to go for 2 ply or 4 ply.
What kinds of tread can you get on a golf cart tire?
There are 5 different tread options for golf cart tires. The five options are (1) sand tires; (2) knobby tires; (3) all terrain tires; (4) standard street tires & (5) smooth tires.
- Sand Tires: These are very different from most standard golf cart tire treads. In general, golf cart sand tires look like they have lateral ‘paddles’. Because sand usually has a tendency to slide and move around, the paddles are designed to provide maximum traction so you don’t slip and slide around.
- Knobby Tires: Golf cart knobby tires come in hundreds of different tire tread patterns. Most of these tires only have a slight difference in the shape of each knob. The slight difference in the knob shapes are to help each different knobby tread perform more effectively under different terrain.
- All Terrain Tires: Typically, all terrain tires have the most adequate tread to accommodate mild off-road use, but not as aggressive sand tires or knob tires. Basically, if you plan on doing some mild off-roading, all terrain tires your best bet.
- Standard Street Tires: Standard street tires generally come with a very mild tread called “turf” or “green”. These tires are the most popular golf cart tire as they have enough tread to be used on-street, but can also be used on the golf course.
- Smooth Tires: Smooth golf cart tires do not have any tread at all. Smooth tires come with a tread called Straight Rib, even though there isn’t really much tread at all. These tires are most popular among people who mow golf greens.
Can golf cart tires develop leaks?
Yes. Just like car tires, golf cart tires can develop leaks.
If my golf cart tire develops a leak, what should I do?
Some folks have luck trying at-home remedies such as Fix-A-Flat or some other Aerosol tire inflators for a temporary fix, however, those at-home remedies do not generally last super long so, we recommend replacing your flat golf cart tire all together.
If I spring a leak in my golf cart tire and need to replace it, do I need to replace ALL my tires?
Unless all 4 tires are completely worn, you do not need to replace all 4 golf cart tires. Replacing just the bad tire is ok.
What is golf cart tire PSI?
The PSI is the pressure inside your tires. PSI stands for “Pounds Per Square Inch.”
How do I figure out the PSI on my golf cart tires?
The recommended tire pressure/PSI can be found on the golf cart tire’s sidewall. You’ll be able to read it.
Is golf cart tire PSI the same for all manufacturers of golf cart tires?
No. Golf cart tire pressure/PSI varies between manufacturer and tire style. Some are higher, some are lower.
What is the average tire pressure or PSI for most golf cart tires?
Generally, golf cart tire pressure is between 15 to 25 PSI, the average is about 20-22 PSI.
What is the right golf cart tire pressure?
It’s actually very easy to figure out the correct golf cart tire pressure. The actual tires will help you out a great deal here. The sidewall of the tire tells the tale. On the sidewall of the golf cart tire, you will find the tire pressure (or PSI) that is recommended for your particular tire. Generally, it’s between 15-25 PSI.
Can you over-inflate a golf cart tire?
Yes. Even more common than under-inflation is over-inflation. Tires that are overinflated do not spread the weight of your golf cart evenly and will leave you with a super rough and uncomfortable ride and also gives you less traction, which can be dangerous. In some cases, although rate, over-inflated golf cart tires can explode or pop. This is very dangerous for anyone riding on the cart, or anyone nearby. You’ll need to do more than repair the tire if it explodes.
Can I put car wheels/tires on my golf cart?
No. You cannot put full size automobile wheels/tires on your golf cart. You’ll need golf cart wheels/tires made specifically for golf carts.
How long does a brand new golf cart tire last?
Generally, golf cart tires last 2-3 years. Here are a few things that will help to prolong the life of your golf cart tires:
- Proper Ply/Tread – Make sure that you’re selecting the proper ply/tread for the terrain where you’ll be driving. For example, you won’t want to buy 2 ply tires if you’re going offroading.
- Rotate Tires Regularly – Uneven weight differences between the front and rear of the golf cart can cause wear and tear. Keeping your tires rotated periodically keeps them as even as can be, thus cutting down on the wear and tear. This is best for golf cart tires.
What are some of the best golf cart tire brands?
There are a lot of great golf cart tire brands to choose from, but here are a few really popular brands: RHOX (Red Hawk), Duro, Kenda, Achieva, Innova and Carlisle. All get good reviews.
Can I use tires from a Club Car and put them on a Yamaha, EZGO or other golf cart?
Yes! No problem. Golf cart tires are universal when it comes to make/model of your golf cart. You can put any golf cart tire on ANY Club Car, EZGO, Yamaha, Taylor-Dunn, Columbia Par Car, Harley-Davidson, Cushman, Melex, Hyundai, etc. It is most important that you choose the correct wheel/tire size and profile (high or low) depending on whether or not you have a lift.
What makes great golf cart tires?
The best golf cart tires are created by a quality manufacturer, and quality rubber and steel belts within the tire.
Do you sell used or refurbished golf cart tires?
No. We only sell brand new golf cart tires and wheels. You may be able to find used tires/wheels on Amazon or Ebay but we do not recommend buying used golf cart tires. You can buy golf cart wheels and tires, or if you prefer to buy local, you can buy new tires from Walmart, Costco or Sam’s Club.
What’s the difference between Golf Cart Tires, Golf Cart Wheels and Golf Cart Rims?
A golf cart tire is what you’d expect, it’s the big black rubber tire. A golf cart wheel is the metal circular part that goes inside the tire. Lastly, a golf cart rim is just another word for a golf cart wheel.
What are the most popular Golf Cart Wheels or Rims finishes?
Most customers buy golf cart wheels/rims in chrome, machined and polished finishes.
What sizes are golf cart wheels/rims?
Golf cart wheels are one of four sizes, 8”, 10”, 12” and 14”.
How do you mount a golf cart tire on a wheel?
The first thing you’ll want to do check the box or manual to see which way the tire tread should face. Most golf cart tires are designed with tread that perform best when moving in a particular direction. Prior to installing the tire over the rim, clean the rim with an automotive degreaser agent or strong cleaner. Once clean, you’ll want to wash both the golf cart rim and tire in soap and water. When you’re done degreasing and making the wheel squeaky clean, you simply place the rim through the tire and then using a tire iron, tuck the tire lip under the edge of the rim and that’s it. Simple as that!
Do golf cart tires come pre-mounted on wheels?
Yes they can. All of the golf cart tires and wheels that Golf Cart Garage sells can come pre-mounted for easy installation. We call these golf cart wheel and tire combos. You can also purchase golf cart tires without the pre-assembled wheels.
When golf cart wheels and tires come pre-mounted, how do I do the installation?
The first thing you’ll want to do is slide a small floor jack under the chassis of the golf cart to raise it up slightly. Next, remove the lug nuts using the proper socket size and pull the wheel off of the lug studs. From there, you’ll need to use a valve stem tool to remove the valve from the tire stem. At this point, you should have the wheel/tire off of the golf cart completely. Once done, put your pre-mounted wheel/tire combo onto our golf cart, tighten the lug nuts really well, lower the jack and remove it from under the cart and voila! You’re all set!
What is an offset wheel? (golf cart wheel offset explained)
An offset wheel means the hub mounting surface is not centered. On a golf cart with wheels that are offset, the tire/wheel assembly will be either close together or farther apart compared to wheels that are centered, depending on whether the wheels have a positive or negative offset.
Can I put an 18” tire on an 8” wheel?
Yes.