Caster Wheels

Wheels by material

Tread / core	Sizes	Rated load per wheel	Notes
Polyurethane on steel	4 to 10 in, 1-1/2 to 3 in wide	450 to 2,250 lb	The largest group on this page
Polyurethane on polyolefin	3 to 8 in, 1-1/4 and 2 in wide	250 to 1,800 lb	-45 to 180°F on most listings
Polyurethane on iron	4 to 12 in, 2 to 4 in wide	800 to 8,000 lb	Red poly on cast iron, -40 to 180°F
Polyurethane on aluminum	4 to 8 x 2 in	410 to 1,500 lb	Lighter core than iron
Solid polymer, super high capacity	4 to 12 in, 2 to 4 in wide	2,200 lb on 2 in widths, 7,200 lb on 6, 10 and 12 x 3 in, 8,000 lb on 10 and 12 x 4 in	-20 to 250°F
Blue solid polyurethane	3 to 8 in	300 to 1,000 lb	No separate core
Cast iron	3 to 9-1/4 in	350 to 4,500 lb	CasterHQ and Hamilton
Ductile iron	4 to 10 in	600 to 7,000 lb	Rated to 800°F on most listings
Semi-steel and forged steel	4 to 12 in	300 to 2,500 lb	Semi-steel -45 to 600°F
Phenolic	3 to 12 in	400 to 3,500 lb	-50 to 250°F; hi-temp phenolic 4 to 8 in to 475°F
Nylon	3 to 8 in	300 to 1,200 lb	Some rated to 425 or 550°F
Gray TPR	2-1/2 to 10 in	150 to 600 lb	Non-marking, quiet
Rubber on iron	4 to 12 in	300 to 2,400 lb	-40 to 180°F
Polyolefin	4 to 8 x 2 in	500 to 900 lb	Economy, -40 to 180°F
Pneumatic, semi-pneumatic and foam	10 in	See listing	B&P hand truck wheels and tubes

Active products on this page, Admin product fields and titles [S1].

How to measure a replacement wheel

Diameter and tread width: measure across the face of the wheel and across the tread. Common industrial sizes are 4, 5, 6 and 8 x 2 in.
Bore: the axle hole. Measure the axle bolt, not the hole in a worn wheel, since bores wear oval.
Hub length: the width of the hub from bearing face to bearing face. It should fill the inside of the fork so the wheel cannot slide on the axle.
Bearing: note roller, ball or plain bore. A spanner bushing or new bearing may be needed to fit a bigger axle hole to a smaller axle.

Choosing a tread

Smooth concrete with heavy loads: polyurethane on iron or steel, or the solid polymer wheels where loads reach several thousand pounds per wheel.
Tile, wood and quiet areas: gray TPR or blue solid polyurethane.
Heat, ovens or hot parts: phenolic, hi-temp phenolic, ductile iron or semi-steel. Check the temperature range on the listing.
Rough or debris-covered floors: cast iron, ductile iron or forged steel, which do not cut or chunk.
Outdoor and hand trucks: 10 in pneumatic, semi-pneumatic or foam-filled wheels. See hand truck wheels.

Bearings, axles and bushings

Hamilton straight roller bearings run from 3/8 to 1-1/2 in bore, and CasterHQ lists flanged ball bearings, precision ball bearings, spanner bushings in steel and stainless, zerk and plain axles from 5/16 to 3/4 in, and thrust and combo washers. Replace a worn bearing with the wheel, since a new tread on a rough bearing still rolls hard.

When a new wheel will not fix it

A bent fork or a swivel with play will wear out a new wheel quickly. Replace the whole caster: see industrial casters.
If treads keep separating below their rating, the cause is usually impact at dock plates or drops. Step up to a larger diameter or a metal or polymer wheel.

Complete casters: polyurethane casters and stem casters.

Caster wheel questions

Are these complete casters or wheels only?

Wheels only, plus bearings, axles, bushings and washers. The fork, swivel and mount are not included.

How much weight can a caster wheel carry?

On this page, 150 lb for small TPR wheels up to 8,000 lb for 12 x 4 in polyurethane on cast iron and 10 and 12 x 4 in polymer wheels. Ratings are per wheel.

What size wheel do I need?

Match the diameter, tread width, bore and hub length of the old wheel. All four must fit the fork and axle.

Which wheel is quietest on finished floors?

Gray TPR and blue solid polyurethane are the quiet, non-marking choices here.

Which wheels take heat?

Phenolic to 250°F, hi-temp phenolic to 475°F, and ductile iron and cast iron listings rated to 800°F. Check each listing.

Heavy duty caster wheels

For heavy carts and plant equipment, the strongest wheels here are polyurethane on cast iron (up to 8,000 lb per wheel on 12 x 4 in) and the solid polymer super high capacity wheels (up to 8,000 lb on 10 and 12 x 4 in). Ductile iron and forged steel wheels suit rough floors and heat. Shop super high capacity polymer wheels, polyurethane wheels and metal wheels.

Sizing load per wheel

Wheel ratings are per wheel. Divide the loaded cart weight by 3, not 4, and add a 1.25 safety margin: a 3,000 lb loaded cart needs about 1,250 lb per wheel. The fork and bearing must carry the same load, so check the caster rating too. Use the load calculator or the wheel selector.

Replacing the whole caster instead? See casters, swivel casters and heavy duty casters. Free 3D CAD (STEP) is available on 7,800+ casters and wheels in the CAD Builder.

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.

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

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Caster Wheels: buying guide