Forklift Tire Size Chart: How to Read Cushion (Press-On) Tire Numbers (With Examples)

If you’re buying cushion / press-on solid forklift tires, the fastest way to get the right fit is to read the size on your current tire’s sidewall and send a clear photo.

Most of the time, the size is printed on the sidewall as long as the tire isn’t worn past replacement.

Quick answer: what the numbers mean

Cushion/press-on tire sizes are commonly written like this:

• 21 x 7 x 15

In plain English, that usually means:

• 21 = overall tire diameter (outside diameter)
• 7 = tire width
• 15 = wheel/rim size the tire fits

Your best move is still to match what’s printed on your current tire, because problems usually only show up when:

• The previous tires were incorrect, or
• The forklift has wheel/hub/axle damage that affects fitment.

The easiest way to get the right size (what we use to quote)

To get a quote, we typically only need:

• A clear photo of your current tire sidewall (where the size is printed)

To confirm your current tires are correct (recommended), it helps to also send:

• A readable photo of the forklift data plate (make/model)
• The serial number (especially if you have more than one of the same model)

If the sidewall is too worn to read, we can still confirm fitment using:

• A photo of the forklift
• A readable data plate photo
• Or your make, model, and serial number (so we can find the year and the correct manual)

Examples: common cushion/press-on tire sizes

Here are some of the most popular cushion/press-on sizes we see:

Most Common Size	Notes
21 x 7 x 15	Very common size
21 x 8 x 15	Very common size
16 1/4 x 6 x 11 1/4	Common size
18 x 6 x 12 1/8	Common size
18 x 7 x 12 1/8	Common size
16 x 6 x 10 1/2	Common size

Non-marking vs traction: which one do you need?

Once you’ve confirmed the size, the next decision is usually the tire compound / tread option.

Non-marking tires

Non-marking tires are common when:

• Your industry requires them (often food and medical)
• You want to keep floors cleaner

Tradeoff to know up front:

• Non-marking tires are typically 25–35% more expensive on average.

Traction tires

Traction tires are often chosen when:

• Drivers want more grip
• You operate in freezers or slick environments
• You have oil/lubricant-heavy manufacturing floors
• You run on concrete yards with inclines and/or bad weather
• You use loading ramps, especially steel ramps

Southern California note (installs + support)

If you’re operating in Southern California, we can help you confirm fitment and get the right tire installed at your site.

FAQ

What if my tire size is missing or worn off?

Send a photo of the forklift and a readable photo of the data plate (or share make/model/serial number). We can confirm the correct fitment using the year and the manual.

What if the tire size on my forklift is wrong?

It happens. If the previous tires were incorrect, we’ll verify using the data plate and serial number so you don’t repeat the same mistake.

Do you need the serial number?

Not always for a quote, but it’s very helpful if you have multiple units of the same model.

Can’t find your tire size?

Can’t find your tires? Get in contact with us.

If you send:

• A clear sidewall photo (if readable)
• A readable data plate photo
• And the serial number (if available)

…we’ll confirm fitment and point you to the right cushion/press-on tire option (standard, non-marking, or traction).