If you store tyres in a garage, workshop, warehouse, or retail space, one of the biggest challenges is knowing how much storage you actually need. The right tyre racking system helps you use vertical space efficiently, improve access, and keep stock organised.
To plan properly, you need to estimate how many tyres fit on each rack, how much floor space each bay takes up, and how many bays you need for both current stock and future growth. This guide explains how to calculate tyre storage requirements and choose the right tyre racking setup for your business.
Why tyre storage planning matters
Tyres are bulky, awkward to stack, and difficult to manage when stored directly on the floor. Without a dedicated storage system, they can take up valuable room, slow down picking, and create unnecessary handling risks.
Tyre racking makes better use of your available space by shifting storage vertically. It also helps separate stock by size, vehicle type, season, or customer order, which makes day-to-day operations more efficient.
If you are looking for a practical storage solution, explore our tyre racking range.
How to calculate how many tyre racks you need
In simple terms estimating the number of tyre racks required is just a matter of dividing the total number of tyres you need to store by the number of tyres one rack can hold. For example, if one rack bay holds 20 tyres and you need to store 100 tyres, you will need at least 5 bays.
However, it's important to work through the details outlined below to get an accurate assessment.
What affects tyre rack capacity
Tyre rack capacity depends on more than just rack width. The number of tyres each bay can hold is affected by tyre diameter, tyre width, rack depth, beam length, and the number of storage levels.
Larger tyres usually require deeper and stronger racks, while smaller passenger tyres can often be stored more densely. The storage method also matters, because tyres may be positioned vertically or in another layout depending on the rack design.
To compare options, check out our blog on how to store tyres to minimise degredation.
How many tyres fit on one rack
There is no single answer because tyre size and rack design vary. A tyre rack built for passenger vehicles may hold far more tyres than a rack intended for truck, SUV, or industrial tyres.
Below are some estimates and calculations that will help in assessing how many tyres will fit on one of our tyre racks.
How Big Are the Tyres that Need to be Stored?
Rules of Thumb for Average Tyre Sizes
Passenger tyres range widely by vehicle, but Australian standards and common OEM sizes cluster around the following averages.
| Tyre Dimensions | Average | Typical Range |
| Section width | 195mm | 165-225mm |
| Overall diameter | 622mm | 570-664mm |
N.B. Big 4x4 tyres and truck tyres will be larger than the above estimates.
Measure the Tyres If They’re Available
If you need a more accurate capacity estimate for a small number of tyres that you have on hand, it’s easy – just measure their height and width
The width will help you calculate the number of tyres that will fit on each level and the diameter will help with calculating the number of levels per bay.
Use the Manufacturer's Codes to Calculate Tyre Size
You can use the codes on the side of your tyres (see image below) to calculate the size of the tyre and hence the amount of storage you need.
Set out below are the meanings and uses of each component of the code.
| Code | Name | Explanation |
| 225 | Section Width (mm | This is the width of the tyre in mm as measured from the maximum, midpoint width of the tyre’s sidewall on one side to the same point on the opposite sidewall. |
| 55 | Aspect Ratio (%) or Profile | This is the height of rubber sidewall of the tyre in mm divided by the width in mm (a percentage). In the example, the height of the tyre’s sidewall is 55% or 0.55 of the tyre’s section width. So the height of the rubber above the rim = 0.55 x 225mm = approx 124mm |
| R | Construction | R indicates the tyre is manufactured with a radial ply construction |
| 16 | Rim Diameter (inches) | This is the tyre’s rim diameter, measured in inches, taken from the wheel flange where the tyre is seated (bead seat area) to the same point on the opposite side. To convert to mm, multiply the diameter by 25.4. In this example, 16 x 25.4 = approx 406mm |
| 99 | Load Index | The Load Index or load carrying capacity is represented by a numerical code and is associated with the maximum load per tyre in kilograms, when operating at its maximum speed rating |
| W | Speed Index | The Speed Index is represented by a letter and shows the maximum speed in kilometres per hour at which the load carrying capacity applies and the tyre can be operated safely |
The total diameter of your tyre (rim + rubber top and bottom) = 406 + (2 x 124) = 654mm. So each wheel will have measurements of 225mm wide x 645mm high.
Choosing the right tyre rack size
Choosing the right size of tyre rack depends on three factors:
- The number of tyres that can be stored on each level
- The height of the rack
- The number of levels that the rack has
Below is a description of how these factors affect the choice of rack
Number of Tyres per Level
Rules of Thumb for Calculating Tyre capacity per Level
If you just need a quick, rough estimate of the size of rack you need to store your tyres, then we’ve found the following table to be a useful guide for how many average sized passenger tyres you can fit on each level of a tyre rack.
| Racking Width | Tyres per Level |
| 1.0m | 3 |
| 1.5m | 5 |
| 2.0m | 7 |
| 2.5m | 9 |
Height of the Rack
The upper limit of you racking height will be determined by the height of the ceiling. In general it's best to go as high as possible to maximise the use of vertical space.
Our racking range comes in heights of 2.0m, 2.4m and 2.7m high. We find that:
- 2.0m high racking is popular with clients that are looking to store a spare set of tyres in their garage and for fitting out General Purpose (GP) shipping containers.
- 2.4m high racking will fits snugly inside Hi Cube (HQ) shipping containers
- 2.7m high racking is popular with tyre retailers, as it generally provides 4 levels of storage without the need for staff to get up too high to pick and put away stock.
How Many Levels Should Each Rack Have
Working out the height between levels and the number of levels you can fit on your racking unit depends on the dimensions of the tyres you neeed to store.
Set out below is an example configuration for storing 15 tyres in a space that is approximately 1.5m wide and just under 2.4m high. That number of tyres will roughly fit into a racking unit that is 1.5mWx0.6mDx2.0mH with 3 levels or tiers of tyres.
Note that the useable storage space is less that the width of the unit because of the space taken up by the uprights. The tyre racking unit is 1500mm wide, but you lose 160mm because of the uprights. So the available space is 1340mm, which will accommodate about 5 tyres per row.
Importantly, the beams on our racking are adjustable up and down so it's possible to accommodate tyres of different sizes and to change settings if needs change over time.
How to calculate tyre storage space
Fitting out a larger storage space involves taking the number of tyres that need to be stored and using the calculations and estimates above to work out the number and size of racks required. It's then a matter of setting out those racks in the space available.
We can help by providing scale drawings of the site and racking layout. Below is an example layout for a tyre storage warehouse.
In addition to maximising storage capacity, it's important to allow: clearance for handling equipment if required, and space for staff access, safe handling, and efficient movement between rows.
A well-planned layout can store significantly more tyres without increasing the total floor area. If you also store related stock, you may want to review our long span shelving options for adjacent storage.
Tips for better tyre storage planning
- Plan for your peak stock level, not just your average quantity.
- Choose rack dimensions based on your largest tyre size.
- Allow aisle space for safe and easy access.
- Keep similar tyre types grouped together for faster picking.
- Leave extra capacity for seasonal changes and business growth.
Frequently asked questions
How many tyre racks do I need?
Count the total number of tyres you need to store, divide that by the capacity of one rack bay, then round up to the nearest whole number. It is also smart to allow extra room for future stock growth.
How many tyres fit on one tyre rack?
That depends on tyre size, rack width, rack depth, and the number of storage levels. Smaller tyres usually allow a higher storage density than larger tyres.
What tyre rack size do I need?
Choose a tyre rack size based on your largest tyre, your available floor space, ceiling height and how often you need access to stock. Different tyre categories often require different rack dimensions.
How do I calculate tyre storage space?
Measure the rack footprint, add aisle and access space, and multiply by the number of bays you need. Also check ceiling height and access requirements before finalising the layout.
What affects tyre rack capacity?
Tyre rack capacity is affected by tyre dimensions, rack depth, rack width, number of levels, and storage orientation.
Find the right tyre racking for your space
The best tyre storage setup is one that matches your stock volume, tyre size, and workflow. By calculating rack capacity and space requirements properly, you can create a storage system that is safer, easier to manage, and ready for future growth.
Browse our tyre racking collection to find a storage solution that suits your space.
