What the 5×120 Bolt Pattern Is Equal To in Wheels and Fitment

The 5×120 bolt pattern means a wheel with five lug holes arranged on a circle with a 120 mm pitch circle diameter (PCD), and it is roughly equivalent to 5×4.72 inches. It is not interchangeable with nearby patterns like 5×4.75″ (5×120.65) or 5×112 without adapters, even though measurements may seem similar.

Understanding the 5×120 Bolt Pattern

In wheel terminology, “5×120” is a standardized way of describing how a wheel mounts to a vehicle’s hub. The first number is the number of lug holes, and the second number is the diameter of the imaginary circle that passes through the center of those holes, measured in millimeters.

Breaking Down the Numbers

The 5×120 designation is precise, and small differences in measurement matter for safety and fitment. While inches are still widely used in North America, most modern wheel specifications are given in millimeters, especially for European and newer global platforms.

The main elements of the pattern can be understood as follows:

• “5” = The wheel has five lug holes (or studs on the hub).
• “120” = Those five holes sit on a 120 mm diameter circle (PCD).
• Equivalent in inches: 120 mm ≈ 4.72 inches.
• Type of spec: Used on many rear‑ and all‑wheel‑drive platforms, especially European brands.

This breakdown clarifies that 5×120 is a metric specification with a direct, though rarely used, inch equivalent of approximately 5×4.72″. The precise diameter is critical: even tiny differences can affect how the wheel sits on the hub and how the lugs clamp the wheel.

What 5×120 Is Equal To in Inch Terms

Converting from millimeters to inches helps compare 5×120 with traditional U.S. patterns, but it does not make them interchangeable unless the dimensions match very closely and are designed to be compatible.

Metric-to-Inch Conversion

To understand what 5×120 is “equal to,” it’s useful to do the conversion and compare it to common imperial patterns used in the aftermarket and in older vehicles.

The following points summarize how 5×120 relates to inch-based patterns:

• 120 mm PCD in inches: 120 ÷ 25.4 ≈ 4.72 inches.
• Common way to write it in inches: 5×4.72″.
• Nearby U.S. pattern: 5×4.75″ (also known as 5×120.65).
• Difference between 4.72″ and 4.75″: About 0.03″ (0.76 mm) in diameter—enough to matter for proper fitment.

This shows that while 5×120 is very close to 5×4.75″, it is not the same. That small difference is significant at the hub and lug level, where the wheel must seat perfectly concentric and flat for safe use.

5×120 vs. Similar Patterns: Not All “Close” Is Equal

One of the biggest sources of confusion is whether 5×120 can be treated as “the same as” other patterns that are close on paper. In practice, wheel bolt patterns are not something where “close enough” is acceptable.

5×120 vs. 5×120.65 (5×4.75″)

GM’s older rear‑drive platforms and many classic muscle cars use 5×4.75″ (5×120.65). This makes people wonder if BMW or other 5×120 wheels can be swapped onto these hubs—or vice versa—without issue.

The typical comparisons look like this:

• 5×120 (metric): 120.00 mm PCD (≈ 4.72″). Common on BMW, some Honda, some Tesla, some Chevy, Holden, and others.
• 5×4.75″ / 5×120.65: 120.65 mm PCD. Common on older GM RWD, classic muscle cars, some Corvettes and Camaros.
• Difference in PCD: 0.65 mm on the radius, 1.3 mm on the full diameter circle.
• Practical result: Lug holes and studs do not align perfectly, leading to off‑center mounting and stress on hardware.

Because the bolt circle mismatch forces the studs and lug nuts to “pull” the wheel into place, the wheel does not center correctly and can introduce vibration, uneven torque, and increased risk of failure. So while they are mathematically close, 5×120 is not truly equal to 5×4.75″/5×120.65 in safe usage.

5×120 vs. Other Common 5-Lug Patterns

Several other 5-lug patterns are frequently mentioned alongside 5×120, especially in cross‑brand wheel swaps and online fitment discussions.

Key points of comparison help highlight why 5×120 stands apart:

• 5×112: Common on many modern Mercedes, VW, Audi. Substantially smaller PCD; not compatible with 5×120.
• 5×114.3 (5×4.5″): Widespread on Japanese, Korean, and some U.S. vehicles. Very different from 120 mm; requires adapters to use 5×120 wheels.
• 5×115: Used on some GM and Chrysler vehicles. Close but still not equal; mixing with 5×120 is unsafe without proper adapters.
• 5×118, 5×127 (5×5″): Found on certain SUVs, trucks, and vans—well outside the 120 mm range.

These comparisons underline that 5×120 is its own specification. Even when a pattern looks “close enough” on paper, direct mounting is not recommended without engineering specifically meant to bridge the difference, typically in the form of hub‑centric adapters.

Vehicles and Brands That Commonly Use 5×120

Understanding what 5×120 is equal to in the real world also includes looking at the vehicle platforms that use it. The pattern has become a de facto standard for several manufacturers, especially in performance and rear‑wheel‑drive applications.

Major OEM Users

Automakers worldwide have adopted 5×120, particularly for mid‑ to large‑size vehicles with higher power outputs or premium positioning.

Among the most notable users of 5×120 are:

• BMW: Many 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, X models, M cars (though always verify by generation and trim).
• Honda/Acura (select models): Some Honda Odyssey, Pilot, Ridgeline and Acura MDX/other SUVs depending on model year and market.
• Chevrolet and GM (selected models): Certain Camaro, Corvette (modern gens use mixed patterns—must check by year), and some global-market vehicles.
• Tesla: Some Model X and select Model S configurations are 5×120 (others use 5×114.3; always verify by VIN or spec).
• Holden (Australia) and related GM derivatives: Various Commodore and performance variants.
• Other European brands: A handful of niche or regional models; exact usage varies by year and platform.

This concentration of usage makes 5×120 a very common pattern in the performance and premium market segments, especially for European and some North American vehicles. However, even within a single brand, bolt patterns can change between generations, so checking the exact spec for a given car is essential.

Interchangeability, Safety, and Adapters

Because 5×120 is close to several other patterns, owners are often tempted to mix and match wheels across different vehicles. In the wheel industry, however, bolt pattern precision is a hard safety line.

Can You Use 5×120 Wheels on a 5×4.75″ or 5×115 Car?

Technically, you can only do this safely with the right hardware. Simply forcing a wheel on or relying on the lug nuts to “pull” it into place is unsafe and widely discouraged by manufacturers and professional installers.

The main considerations for adapters and fitment include:

• Hub-centric adapters: Properly engineered adapters that bolt to the hub and provide the correct pattern and center bore for the new wheel.
• Thickness of adapters: Adapters add track width; you must account for fender clearance, suspension travel, and scrub radius.
• Stud and nut quality: Adapters introduce more hardware; high‑quality studs, nuts, and correct torque specs become even more critical.
• Legal and insurance aspects: In some jurisdictions, non‑OEM adapters can raise inspection or insurance issues.

With a properly designed hub-centric adapter, a 5×120 wheel can be used on a 5×4.75″ or 5×115 hub, or vice versa, but this is not a direct equivalence. It’s a bridge created by additional parts that must themselves be installed and maintained correctly.

How to Confirm Your Bolt Pattern

If you’re trying to determine whether your vehicle uses 5×120 or if a given wheel will fit, relying purely on visual inspection is risky. There are standard methods to verify the pattern accurately.

Measuring and Verifying a 5-Lug Pattern

For 5-lug wheels, the PCD is measured across the circle that runs through the center of all the lug holes, but because of the odd number of lugs, you can’t just measure straight across two opposite holes.

Common ways to verify the pattern include:

• Use manufacturer data: Check the owner’s manual, OEM specification sheets, or reliable online databases by make, model, and year.
• Measure with a PCD gauge: A dedicated tool that quickly shows whether a wheel is 5×120, 5×114.3, etc.
• Manual measuring for 5 lugs: Measure from the center of one lug hole to the outer edge of the hole two positions away and convert to PCD using a known chart or formula.
• Consult a reputable wheel shop: Professionals typically have both the tools and reference data to confirm patterns correctly.

Accurate measurement eliminates guesswork and prevents buying or mounting wheels that are “almost” the right pattern, which can lead to vibration, hardware stress, and, in extreme cases, wheel or stud failure.

So, What Is 5×120 “Equal To” in Practice?

From both a mathematical and practical standpoint, 5×120 is its own specification with a clear metric value and a straightforward inch equivalent, but it should not be conflated with nearby patterns.

Mathematical vs. Functional Equivalence

Looking at 5×120 in context, the notion of “equal to” breaks down into two distinct ideas: the numerical conversion and the real‑world interchangeability on vehicles.

The key takeaways are:

• Numerically: 5×120 is equal to a 5-lug pattern on a 120 mm PCD, which converts to about 5×4.72 inches.
• Not the same as 5×4.75″/5×120.65: Very close, but the 0.65 mm difference in PCD means they are not safely interchangeable without adapters.
• Not equal to 5×112, 5×114.3, 5×115, etc.: Those patterns differ too much to be compatible directly.
• Functional equivalence requires exact match or engineered adapters: Safe wheel fitment depends on PCD, center bore, offset, and hardware quality—not just “close” dimensions.

In other words, 5×120 is numerically equivalent to 5×4.72″ but functionally stands alone as a distinct bolt pattern standard, used heavily by BMW and other manufacturers, that should be matched exactly when choosing wheels without adapters.

Summary

The 5×120 bolt pattern describes a five-lug wheel whose mounting holes lie on a 120 mm pitch circle, converting to roughly 5×4.72 inches. While it is close to patterns like 5×4.75″ (5×120.65), those are not truly equal and should not be mixed without proper hub-centric adapters. 5×120 is widely used by brands such as BMW, some Honda/Acura models, certain GM vehicles, and some Teslas. For safe, vibration‑free driving, wheels should match the vehicle’s bolt pattern exactly, with any cross‑pattern use relying on carefully engineered adapters rather than assumptions based on “almost the same” measurements.

Is 5×120 the same as 5×4 75?

No, a 5×4.75 bolt pattern is not exactly the same as 5×120, but they are very close and some people use them together, especially with adapters. The 5×4.75 pattern is actually 5×120.65mm, so the difference is a mere 0.65mm (about the thickness of a few sheets of paper). 
This video explains the difference between 5×120 and 5×4.75 bolt patterns: 49s89imp03YouTube · Dec 22, 2021
Differences and potential issues

• Accuracy: 5×120.65mm is not identical to 5x120mm, meaning the wheel holes won’t align perfectly with the vehicle’s studs.
• Safety and stress: This slight mismatch can create stress on the wheel studs and lug nuts, which can be a safety concern.
• Wheel selection: Some sources suggest there may be a better selection of wheels available for the 5×4.75 pattern.
• Offset and hub bore: In addition to the bolt pattern, check for correct wheel offset and hub bore to ensure proper fitment. 

How to fit them together

• Use adapters: The most recommended and safest method is to use a wheel adapter, which converts the 5×120 pattern to 5×4.75. 
• Use wobble nuts: Another option for street cars is to use wobble nuts, which have a floating acorn that can accommodate the slight difference. 
• Drill the holes (not recommended): Some people suggest drilling the holes on the 5×120 wheels to make them fit, but this is risky and can cause stress and failure of the studs. 
• Check wheel compatibility: Some 5×120 wheels have a smaller center bore than what is needed for a 5×4.75 hub, so you’ll need to check the specifications of your wheels. 

What does a 5×120 bolt pattern convert to?

5-Lug Bolt Patterns

Common Reference	Millimeters	Inches
Five on One Twenty	5×120	5×4.72
Five on Four and Three Quarter	5×120.7	5×4.75 or 5×4 3/4
Five on Five — or — Five on One Twenty Seven	5×127	5×5
Five on One Twenty Eight	5×128	5×5.04

Can I fit 5×120 on 5×112?

No, you cannot directly fit 5×120 wheels on a 5×112 vehicle due to the difference in bolt patterns. Adapters are available, but using them can affect the car’s handling and safety.

Can you fit 5×120 on 5×114 3?

No, a 5×120 wheel will not fit a 5×114.3 bolt pattern without modification, because the bolt patterns are different. However, you can use a wheel adapter to convert a 5×120 vehicle to fit 5×114.3 wheels, or a 5×114.3 vehicle to fit 5×120 wheels. 
You can watch this video to learn how to convert a 5×120 hub to a 5×114.3 bolt pattern: 59sJosh GresswellYouTube · Nov 4, 2022
Using a wheel adapter

• A wheel adapter is a two-sided component that bolts to your vehicle’s hub and provides a new bolt pattern for the wheel to mount to. 
• You will need a 5×120 to 5×114.3 adapter to put 5×114.3 wheels on a 5×120 car. 
• These adapters are designed to fix fitment issues, including changes in bolt pattern and offset. 
• The adapter installs on your car’s hub, and then your wheel is secured to the adapter using your car’s original lug nuts. 
• It’s important to ensure the adapter is compatible with your vehicle’s center bore and that the wheel’s lug holes are large enough for the adapter’s studs, as shown in this Amazon product. 

Redrilling the wheel

• In some cases, it may be possible to have the wheel redrilled to accept the new bolt pattern.
• This is a more permanent modification and may be more involved, potentially requiring professional assistance.
• This method eliminates the need for an adapter but may have cosmetic drawbacks, such as extra visible holes in the wheel hub.