What is the difference between Wheel Diameter and Overall Diameter?

TB Sync · catalog-import · Last updated August 18, 2026 · Version 1

This process works in apps: TB Sync, TB Books, TB WMS, TB POS

This article will teach you how to tell rim size (Wheel Diameter) apart from outer / shipping size (Overall Diameter) on a product and on catalog import.

Tire Base stores two different diameter specs. Wheel Diameter is the rim the tire mounts on — the last number in a tire size such as 205/55R16 (16), or 20 on a 20×9 wheel. Overall Diameter is how tall the tire or wheel is from the ground (outer / shipping diameter). A 205/55R16 tire’s overall diameter is typically around 24–25 inches, not 16. Mixing them up is a common import mistake: putting the rim size in Overall Diameter does not make the product searchable by rim, and website / widget diameter filters can look empty or wrong.

Steps

• On a product, open the spec list and find two separate fields: Wheel Diameter and Overall Diameter (same labels appear under Sizing & Dimensions on catalog import).
• Treat Wheel Diameter as rim size. For tires, it is the R-number in the size (16 in 205/55R16). For wheels, it is the rim (20 on a 20×9). Columns named Rim Diameter, Rim Size, Diameter, or Wheel Diameter should map to Wheel Diameter.
• Treat Overall Diameter as outer / shipping height. Map columns named Overall Diameter or OD here — never use this field for the rim size of a wheel.
• If you are importing, go to Settings → Data Migration → Product Catalog, upload the file, and on Map Catalog Fields confirm Wheel Diameter and Overall Diameter point at different source columns.
• Finish Confirm & Import (or save the product), then search by rim size (for example 20 for a 20" wheel, or 2055516 for a tire) and open the product to verify both specs.
• If an older file put rim size only in Overall Diameter, re-import with that column mapped to Wheel Diameter, or edit the product and move the rim value into Wheel Diameter. Leave a true outer-diameter value in Overall Diameter when you have one.

Conclusion & best practices

Wheel Diameter = rim. Overall Diameter = how tall the product is. Do not map a 20" wheel’s rim into Overall Diameter. After a mapping change, re-search in Inventory or the widget — rim filters use Wheel Diameter. Related: How to import a catalog in Sync?.