Independent setup tools · No brand agenda
Bike tyre pressure calculator
Front and rear pressures for road, gravel and mountain bikes, built on tyre-drop research rather than on selling you a particular tyre. Adjust the sliders; the gauge answers.
Starting points, not gospel. Ride them, then adjust ±2–3 psi to taste.
Always check the maximum pressure printed on your tyre sidewall and rim. Never exceed either limit.
How this calculator works
Every recommendation here is built on the principle of tyre drop, the amount a tyre compresses under load. Research by engineer Frank Berto established that a tyre performs best when it sags roughly 15% of its casing height under the weight it carries. Less drop and the tyre skips and chatters over imperfections; more and it squirms, wallows and risks rim strikes.
The maths follows from that: we take your total system weight (you, the bike, your kit), split it between the wheels based on your riding position, and solve for the pressure that produces 15% drop for your tyre width. Wider tyres have taller casings and bigger air volume, so they reach ideal drop at much lower pressures, which is why a 32 mm tyre wants 20-odd psi less than a 25 mm at the same rider weight.
Why we adjust for surface
The 15% target assumes smooth tarmac. On rougher surfaces, lower pressure lets the tyre absorb texture instead of bouncing off it. Vibration is wasted energy and lost grip. Our rough-road, gravel and trail settings reduce pressure progressively to reflect that, in line with modern rolling-resistance field testing.
Why tubeless changes the answer
The traditional floor on pressure was the pinch flat: hit a sharp edge hard enough and the tube gets nipped between tyre and rim. Remove the tube and that failure mode mostly disappears, so tubeless setups can run roughly 5–10% lower, gaining comfort and cornering grip. Watch the other limit though: many modern hookless rims have a hard ceiling of 72.5 psi / 5 bar, which the calculator flags automatically.
Front and rear are not the same
On most bikes around 60% of the load sits over the rear wheel, more if you ride upright, less if you're low and stretched out. Running the same pressure front and rear means the front is over-inflated, with harsher steering and less front grip, exactly where you don't want to lose it. The calculator splits load by position and recommends each wheel separately.
Who built this
RideTuned is independent. We don't make tyres, rims, pumps or sealant, and no manufacturer pays for placement in our results. The recommendations are a starting point grounded in published research; your perfect pressure is always a couple of psi of personal experimentation away. Buying a new bike? Start with our bike size calculator first.
Frequently asked questions
What pressure should my road bike tyres be?
It depends on your weight and tyre width. A 75 kg rider on 28 mm tyres typically runs around 70–80 psi rear and slightly less up front. Wider tyres need less: 32 mm tyres on the same rider drop to roughly 55–65 psi. Use the calculator above for numbers matched to your exact setup.
Should front and rear tyre pressure be different?
Yes. Most of your weight sits over the rear wheel, so the rear tyre needs more pressure to achieve the same tyre drop. A front pressure roughly 5–10% lower than the rear is a good rule for road riding.
Can I run lower pressure with tubeless tyres?
Yes. Without an inner tube there's nothing to pinch-flat, so tubeless setups can safely run around 5–10% lower pressure, improving grip and comfort.
What is the maximum pressure for hookless rims?
Most hookless (straight-side) rims are limited to 72.5 psi / 5 bar regardless of tyre size, per ETRTO guidance. Always check both your rim and tyre manufacturer limits and never exceed the lower of the two.
Is lower tyre pressure faster?
On real road surfaces, often yes. Over-inflated tyres bounce off surface imperfections and lose energy through vibration. Modern testing shows moderate pressures roll faster on anything rougher than a velodrome, with better grip and comfort as a bonus.