Rubber Wheels

Diameter: 2 to 12 inTread: 7/8 to 5 inCapacity: up to 2,100 lb

Rubber wheels have a resilient tread that grips the floor, soaks up bumps and runs quieter than hard plastic or metal. We carry soft and hard solid rubber from 2 x 7/8 in at 90 lb, gray thermo rubber on polyolefin from 150 to 600 lb, and rubber molded on steel or glass-filled nylon up to 2,100 lb at 12 x 5 in. Most are rated -40 to 160°F. Under heavy loads rubber takes more effort to push than polyurethane.

Shop by caster type

6 types

Capacity shown is per caster (per wheel for wheels).

The rubber families on this page

"Rubber wheel" covers four different builds here, and the build sets the load more than the size does [S1].

Build	Sizes	Rated load	Temperature
Soft solid rubber	2 x 7/8 to 5 x 1-1/4 in	90 to 250 lb	-40 to 160°F
Hard solid rubber	2 x 7/8 to 5 x 1-1/4 in	100 to 325 lb	-40 to 160°F
Gray thermo rubber (TPR) on polyolefin	2-1/2 x 1-1/4 to 8 x 2 in	150 to 600 lb	See listing
Elastic rubber	4 x 1-1/4 to 8 x 2 in	300 to 600 lb	-40 to 160°F
Rubber on glass-filled nylon	4 x 2 to 12 x 2-1/2 in	400 to 1,200 lb	Up to 180°F
Rubber on steel	4 x 2 to 12 x 5 in	400 to 2,100 lb	-40 to 160°F

Ranges from product fields [S1].

Soft rubber is about 70 Shore A and hard rubber about 95A [S2]. Soft gives the quietest ride and the best grip; hard carries a little more and rolls a little easier. At 3 x 1-1/4 in, for example, our soft rubber wheel is rated 175 lb and the hard one 275 lb [S1].

Why buyers pick rubber

Floor protection and quiet. Colson describes rubber as floor protective, shock absorbing and quiet [S3]. That suits hospitals, offices, stores and finished wood or tile.
Grip. A soft tread is less likely to skid on smooth or damp floors and helps a parked cart stay put.
Rough floors. Rubber rides over cracks, thresholds and expansion joints with less shock to the load than a hard wheel.

Where rubber falls short

Heavy loads on smooth floors. Rubber flattens more under load, so it is harder to start and push than polyurethane. Our 6 x 2 in rubber on steel is rated 550 lb, while a 6 x 2 in polyurethane on iron wheel is rated 1,200 lb [S1].
Heat and oil. Most of these list 160°F as the top limit. For hotter work, use phenolic or high-temperature wheels.
Marking. Black rubber can leave marks on light floors. The gray thermo rubber and gray solid rubber wheels are the safer pick there.

Rubber against other treads

Tread	Ride	Rolling effort under load	Best floor
Rubber	Softest solid tread	Highest	Finished, tile, rough or outdoor
Polyurethane	Firm with some give	Low	Smooth concrete, epoxy
Nylon	Hard, no cushion	Very low	Smooth, wet or washdown
Steel and iron	Hard, loud	Lowest	Rough industrial concrete, steel plate

How to choose

Set the load per wheel and pick the family that covers it: solid rubber to 325 lb, thermo rubber to 600 lb, rubber on steel or nylon above that.
Check the floor. Light, finished floors call for gray non-marking treads.
Match bore and hub length to the axle in the fork you already have.
Need flat-free outdoor tires instead? See solid eco-rubber tires.

Rubber wheel questions

Is soft rubber or hard rubber better?

Soft rubber is quieter and grips better. Hard rubber carries more and rolls a bit easier. At 3 x 1-1/4 in our soft rubber wheel is rated 175 lb and the hard rubber wheel 275 lb.

Do rubber wheels mark floors?

Black rubber can mark light floors. Gray rubber and gray thermo rubber treads are the better choice on light vinyl, tile and wood.

What temperature can rubber wheels handle?

Most rubber wheels on this page are rated -40 to 160°F. The rubber on glass-filled nylon wheels list up to 180°F.

What is the strongest rubber wheel you carry?

The 12 x 5 in rubber on steel wheel, rated 2,100 lb.

Jordan Wilson, CasterHQ · reviewed October 20, 2026 · 844-439-4335 · info@casterhq.com

Sources

[S1] CasterHQ product fields (rated load, diameter, width, wheel and core material, temperature range, mount) and product descriptions for the items on this page, pulled October 20, 2026.
[S2] OneMonroe caster wheel selection guide (monroeengineering.com): soft rubber about 70 Shore A, hard rubber about 95A, mold-on rubber about 70A at -30 to 160°F; cast iron and forged steel -45 to 800°F.
[S3] Colson D4 Defender stainless datasheet (colsoncaster.com): rubber is floor protective, shock absorbing and quiet; nylon handles temperature and moisture; phenolic is not recommended where moisture is present.

BHP: 1-3/4″ × 2-7/8″, slotted to 3″

BHP: 1-3/4″ × 2-15/16″ slotted to 2-3/8″ × 3-3/8″

BHP: 2-5/8” X 3-5/8” (Slotted to 3” x 3”)

BHP: 2-7/16" x 4-15/16" slotted to 3-3/8" x 5-1/4"

(3″ Wide Casters), Industry-Standard

BHP: 3-3/8" x 5-1/4" slotted to 4-1/8" x 6-1/8"

BHP: 4-1/8" x 6" slotted to 4-1/2" x 6-1/8"

View All • 21 Plate Sizes

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