Caster Wheel by Tread Diameter
The size of your caster wheel diameter is an important measurement that impacts your equipment’s rolling resistance, safety, load capacity, and more. Shop light, medium, and heavy duty caster wheels with diameters of 2” and under and up to 12” large.
Wheel Diameter and Equipment Performance
Your caster wheel’s diameter is one of the most important measurements for you to know. But how does that measurement actually impact performance?
- Smaller diameter wheels help meet height restrictions
- Small casters perform best on narrow equipment that will move over smoother terrain. For rougher or uneven floors, the quietest rolling, and smoothest transport, choose larger casters.
- Wider equipment will work best with a larger caster wheel diameter.
- A bigger caster diameter doesn’t always mean the highest load capacity. Make sure to compare wheel load capacity ratings as well as the wheel’s diameter.
- Make sure you know the maximum weight of your equipment. For example: if your equipment is a rolling bookcase, add in the weight factor of the books. Generally, larger wheel diameters are easier to push, pull, and turn.
Information on Casters Sizes
| Caster Size | Information | Related Series |
| 2 Inch Casters | 2” diameter caster wheels and other small casters are built for slight, narrow equipment with tight height restrictions. They’re also the most common size for chairs and work best when rolling on smooth surfaces. | D4 Defender Stainless Steel Casters Performa Soft Tread Caster Wheels Series 2 Casters |
| 4 Inch Casters | 4” caster wheels can be used in both light and medium duty applications. Built tough and rigorously tested, Colson’s 4” and other small casters are great for frequent or on-demand use. | Defender D4 Stainless Steel Casters Encore 4 Series Corrosion Resistant Stainless Steel 4 Series 2” Wide Casters |
| 5 Inch Casters | 5” caster wheels can be used in both light and medium duty applications. Colson’s 5 inch diameter caster wheels can be purchased with our most popular corrosion resistant, wet surface wheel materials and rigs. | Encore 4 Series Corrosion Resistant Stainless Steel Maxim Water and Chemical Tolerant Wheels |
| 6 Inch Casters | 6” caster wheels are for medium duty applications. Built tough and rigorously tested, Colson’s 6” and other casters are great for frequent or on-demand use. | 6 Series Kingpinless Casters Transforma Caster Wheels |
| 8 Inch Casters | 8” caster wheels are most commonly used for medium duty applications. Colson’s 8” diameter caster wheels are most well known for pairing with corrosion resistant and chemical tolerant wheel materials needed on many automotive, aerospace, food service, and manufacturing floors. | Defender D4 Stainless Steel Casters Performa Soft Tread Wheels |
| 10 Inch Casters | 10” caster wheels are medium duty top plate casters available in both rigid and swivel varieties. | Phenolic Quiet Rolling Caster Wheels |
