Tire Balance Beads Chart (Complete Guide 2026)
If you are trying to solve a vibration problem, reduce uneven tire wear, or find a simple balancing method for a truck, trailer, SUV, motorcycle, or off-road vehicle, a tire balance beads chart can save a lot of guesswork. The best charts do more than list numbers. They help you match the right bead amount to the tire size, vehicle type, and actual driving use. That matters because manufacturers do not recommend the same amount for every tire. Counteract says the right amount depends on factors like tire size, tread, vehicle, suspension, and speed, while ESCO explains that balancing beads work by shifting to the light spot inside the tire as it rotates.
This guide is meant to be a practical starting point, not a blind substitute for the manufacturer chart for your exact tire. It brings together the most useful parts of the ESCO, Counteract, and Wurth application charts so readers can find a fast answer and understand the reasoning behind it.
Tire Balance Beads Chart
Passenger, SUV, and Light Truck Tire Balance Beads Chart
| Tire size | Bead Amount (oz) | Best use / note |
| 205/70R14 | 3 oz | Common light passenger fitment |
| 215/70R14 | 3 oz | Common light passenger fitment |
| 215/75R14 | 3–4 oz | Slightly heavier than the sizes above |
| 700R15 | 4 oz | Typical light truck / older pickup size |
| 7.50R15 | 6 oz | Light truck / work truck size |
| 8.25R15 | 6 oz | Light truck / work truck size |
| 9R15 | 8 oz | Heavier 15-inch truck tire |
| 215/75R15 | 3–4 oz | Common half-ton pickup / SUV size |
| 235/75R15 | 4 oz | Common light truck fitment |
| 245/75R15 | 3–4 oz | Light truck / SUV fitment |
| 265/75R15 | 3–4 oz | Light truck / SUV fitment |
| 235/70R16 | 3–4 oz | Very common SUV / light truck size |
| 245/75R16 | 3–4 oz | Very common SUV / light truck size |
| 265/75R16 | 4–6 oz | Heavier-duty light truck size |
| 285/75R16 | 4–6 oz | Heavier-duty light truck size |
| 315/75R16 | 4–6 oz | Large LT tire; start lower, adjust by use |
| 225/65R17 | 3–4 oz | Crossover / SUV fitment |
| 245/65R17 | 3–4 oz | Crossover / SUV fitment |
| 255/65R17 | 3–5 oz | Common SUV / half-ton size |
| 265/65R17 | 4–6 oz | Common half-ton truck size |
| 275/65R18 | 4–6 oz | Common SUV / light truck size |
| 285/60R18 | 4–6 oz | Common SUV / light truck size |
| 255/55R18 | 3–4 oz | Lower-profile street SUV fitment |
Off-Road / Mud-Terrain Tire Balance Beads Chart
| Tire size | Bead Amount (oz) | Best use / note |
| 27/8.50R14 | 4–6 oz | Smaller off-road tire |
| 29/9.50R15 | 6 oz | Small off-road / trail tire |
| 30/9.50R15 | 6–8 oz | Off-road tire, slightly heavier |
| 33/12.50R15 | 8–10 oz | Popular mud-terrain size |
| 35/12.50R15 | 8–10 oz | Popular mud-terrain size |
| 37/12.50R15 | 10–12 oz | Larger MT tire |
| 33/12.50R17 | 8 oz | Off-road 17-inch size |
| 35/12.50R17 | 8 oz | Off-road 17-inch size |
| 37/13.50R17 | 12 oz | Larger off-road tire |
| 35/12.50R18 | 8 oz | Off-road 18-inch size |
| 37/12.50R18 | 10 oz | Off-road 18-inch size |
| 40/17B16.5 | 12 oz | Large off-road / beadlock-style fitment |
| 44/18.50B16.5 | 13–14 oz | Very large off-road tire |
Medium / Heavy-Duty Truck Tire Balance Beads Chart
| Tire size | Bead Amount (oz) | Best use / note |
| 8R17.5 | 6 oz | Medium-duty truck tire |
| 9R17.5 | 6–8 oz | Medium-duty truck tire |
| 10R17.5 | 8 oz | Medium-duty truck tire |
| 11R17.5 | 8 oz | Medium-duty truck tire |
| 225/80R17.5 | 8 oz | Medium-duty truck tire |
| 245/70R19.5 | 6–8 oz | Medium-duty truck tire |
| 265/70R19.5 | 8 oz | Medium-duty truck tire |
| 8R19.5 | 6–8 oz | Commercial truck tire |
| 9R22.5 | 8–10 oz | Highway truck tire |
| 10R22.5 | 8–10 oz | Highway truck tire |
| 11R22.5 | 10–12 oz | Common commercial truck size |
| 12R22.5 | 12–14 oz | Heavier commercial truck size |
| 11R24.5 | 10–12 oz | Heavy truck fitment |
| 275/80R24.5 | 10–12 oz | Heavy truck fitment |
| 295/80R24.5 | 10–12 oz | Heavy truck fitment |
Trailer Tire Balance Beads Chart
| Tire Size | Bead Amount (oz) | Typical Use |
| ST175/80R13 | 2–3 oz | Small utility trailer |
| ST205/75R14 | 3 oz | Small / medium trailer |
| ST225/75R15 | 4 oz | Medium trailer |
| ST235/80R16 | 4 oz | Larger cargo / RV trailer |
| ST245/75R16 | 4–5 oz | Heavy-duty trailer |
| ST265/75R16 | 5 oz | Large RV or utility trailer |
Motorcycle Tire Balance Beads Chart
| Tire Size | Bead Amount (oz) | Typical Use |
| 90/90-21 | 1 oz | Off-road / dual-sport front |
| 120/70-17 | 1 oz | Sportbike front |
| 130/70-17 | 1–2 oz | Sportbike rear |
| 150/70-17 | 2 oz | Cruiser / larger rear tire |
| 160/60-17 | 2 oz | Sport / touring rear |
| 180/55-17 | 2 oz | Larger sportbike rear |
How to Use the Tire Balance Beads Chart
Using a tire balance beads chart is simpler than it might seem, even if you’ve never done it before. Start by finding your tire size on the chart. The number listed tells you roughly how many ounces of beads to add. This is a starting point, not an exact prescription, because small differences in tire brand, load, or wheel type can change the amount you actually need.
If your exact tire size isn’t on the chart, pick the closest match in terms of diameter and width. You can also use a general rule of about 1 ounce of beads for every 13 pounds of tire and rim weight. That gives a reasonable estimate until you can check the manufacturer’s exact recommendation.
When pouring the beads into the tire, do it carefully. Beads need to sit inside the tire cavity, not on the rim edge or valve area. Once installed, drive the vehicle normally for a short distance. The beads move as the wheel rotates, gradually balancing the tire. You may notice vibrations improve over a few miles, rather than instantly.
Beads work well for most passenger cars, trucks, trailers, and motorcycles, but they’re not perfect for every situation. Extremely worn tires, bent rims, or serious suspension issues can limit their effectiveness. Treat the chart as a practical guide, and always check for the correct fit if your tires are unusual or carry heavy loads.
FAQs
How much tire balance bead do I need?
The most common starting point is 1 ounce per 13 pounds of tire-and-rim weight. Then check the chart for your exact tire family, because manufacturers adjust recommendations by size and use.
Do tire balance beads work in all tires?
They are used in many categories, including trucks, trailers, motorcycles, off-road vehicles, ATV/UTV setups, and classic cars. Counteract does not endorse use in aircraft tires or racing applications.
Can I use beads and wheel weights together?
Some shops and installers do, but the better choice depends on the vehicle and the balancing problem you are trying to solve. Since beads balance internally and wheel weights are fixed externally, many users pick one method and stay consistent with it. The manufacturer charts are the best place to start.
Do balance beads wear out?
ESCO says the beads maintain their size and quantity inside the tire and can balance for the life of the tire. That is one of the main reasons they are used in long-life truck and off-road applications.
Why do trailer and truck tires need different amounts?
Because they carry different loads and often use different tire constructions. Counteract’s separate charts for light trucks, heavy trucks, trailers, motorcycles, ATV/UTV, off-road, and classic cars show that one universal number does not fit every use case.
Conclusion
A good tire balance beads chart should do two jobs at once: give readers a fast answer and help them understand why that answer makes sense. The best approach is to start with the manufacturer chart, use the 1 ounce per 13 pounds rule as a backup, and adjust only when the vehicle type or tire construction clearly calls for it.
If you are writing this for your blog, the strongest version is not just a chart page. It is a practical guide that helps readers choose the right bead amount, avoid installation mistakes, and understand when beads are a better fit than wheel weights. That is the kind of article people trust, save, and come back to later.
