What is the difference between Wheel Diameter and Overall Diameter?

TB Sync · catalog-import · Last updated October 13, 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 under Select Your Header Row click the row that contains the column names (marked HEADERS). 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?.