Swivel Casters

These swivel casters steer carts, racks, and fixtures when the load must turn in place. Casters in this collection range from about 50 to 40,000 lb per caster. Wheels in this category range from about 1-7/16 up to 36 in diameter on extreme Ultra Maxi Duty builds. Wheel materials include polyurethane (poly or urethane), rubber, nylon, phenolic, iron, and forged steel. Soft polyurethane on aluminum (~85 Shore A) or TPR is the better pick when the floor has chips or debris. Mount with a top plate, threaded stem, grip-ring stem, or expanding rubber stem for round and square tubing. Add a brake or total lock when the cart needs to stay put. Read the listing for the exact wheel size, overall height, and mount shown. Confirm the load rating printed on the title before you place your order today. Capacities below are per caster unless a listing says set. Broader hub with rigid too: industrial casters. Soft tread aisle: polyurethane swivel casters.

Shop by wheel material

7 types

Rubber and polyurethane favor floor protection; phenolic and steel favor heavy capacity. Compare materials →

Swivel Casters: buying guide

Engineering Guides

Swivel or rigid

Four swivels let a cart move any direction but make it wander on long straight runs. Two swivel and two rigid casters steer like a shopping cart and track straight. For long carts, add rigid casters in the middle.

Brakes and locks

Option	What it locks
Side or top lock brake	The wheel only
Total lock brake	The wheel and the swivel
Face contact brake	Presses a pad on the wheel tread

Brake types from product fields [S1].

Mounts

Plate: most swivels here; match the plate and bolt pattern.
Threaded stem: screws into a tapped hole or insert.
Expanding stem: grips the inside of a tube leg.
Grip ring stem: pushes into a socket or hole.

Shimmy at speed

A swivel that flutters is usually worn, too loose, or has too little offset for the speed. Larger wheels and kingpinless swivels resist it better on towed carts.

Swivel locks: swivel locks. Heavy: heavy duty casters.

Swivel caster questions

What is a swivel caster?

A caster whose wheel turns a full circle so the cart can steer in any direction.

What is a total lock brake?

A brake that locks both the wheel and the swivel.

How much can a swivel caster carry?

The casters here range from 50 to 40,000 lb each, and about half are rated above 800 lb.

Jordan Wilson, CasterHQ · reviewed October 26, 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 26, 2026.

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

Plate Casters

Stem Casters

Stainless Casters

Ergonomic Casters

Leveling Casters