Tire Pressure Calculator

Tire Width enters the formula raised to the 1.5 power because a wider tire's air volume increases faster than its width, so a modest width change shifts the recommended pressure by a larger, non-proportional amount. Rider Weight, by contrast, scales the result roughly one-to-one. Both matter, but width swings the number harder over the same percentage change.

The calculator applies an approximate 45/55 front/rear weight split typical of a road riding position, then scales pressure with that share of the load -- so the rear tire, carrying more weight, gets a higher recommended pressure. The front figure runs about 18% lower than the rear (equivalently the rear runs about 22% higher than the front -- these percentages describe the same gap from opposite reference points, not interchangeable figures). If your bike fit or riding style shifts more weight forward or rearward, treat this split as a reasonable default rather than a measured figure for your exact setup.

Rougher terrain benefits from a softer tire that can deform around obstacles for traction and vibration absorption, at some cost to rolling efficiency that matters less off pavement. Gravel applies a 30% reduction and mountain biking a 50% reduction to the smooth-road base figure, reflecting how much more give those surfaces reward compared to a hard, smooth road where a firmer tire rolls faster.

The point figure is a calculated starting pressure; the +/-5 PSI range around it exists because factors this calculator does not model -- tire casing stiffness, tubeless vs. tubed setup, how rough the actual road or trail surface is, and personal feel preference -- also affect the ideal pressure. Start near the calculated figure and adjust within the range based on how the tire feels and performs for you.

Comfort Rating is derived directly from the calculated Rear Tire Pressure on a fixed 1-10 scale, where lower pressures score higher for comfort -- it does not factor in tire width, terrain, or casing separately beyond what already went into that pressure figure. Use it as a quick read on how firm versus plush the recommended setup will feel, not as an independent measurement.