Ordering adhesive wheel weights in the wrong size series is one of the most common and most avoidable purchasing mistakes. This page sets out the standard sizes, the gram to OZ conversion chart, and how the segments are used in practice.
How adhesive weights are used
Adhesive (stick-on) weights mount on the inner barrel of the wheel, hidden behind the spokes, so they suit alloy and aluminum rims that have no flange to clip onto. The balancing machine gives the technician a required mass for the inner and outer planes; the technician tears off the number of segments that adds up to that mass and presses the strip onto a clean, dry surface.
Two properties of adhesive weights drive which sizes you should stock:
- Incremental mass - the segment size (5 g, 10 g, 15 g and so on) is the smallest correction the technician can make. Smaller segments mean finer balancing but more segments per strip.
- Total strip mass - the full strip has to be able to cover the heaviest correction a wheel is likely to need, so long strips with larger total mass suit heavier wheels.
Gram to OZ conversion chart
One ounce equals exactly 28.3495 grams. Use the table below to convert between the gram series used in most markets and the OZ series used in the US and some export markets.
| Grams | Ounces |
|---|---|
| 5 g | 0.18 oz |
| 10 g | 0.35 oz |
| 15 g | 0.53 oz |
| 20 g | 0.71 oz |
| 25 g | 0.88 oz |
| 30 g | 1.06 oz |
| 40 g | 1.41 oz |
| 50 g | 1.76 oz |
| 60 g | 2.12 oz |
| Ounces | Grams |
|---|---|
| 0.25 oz | 7.09 g |
| 0.50 oz | 14.17 g |
| 1.00 oz | 28.35 g |
| 1.50 oz | 42.52 g |
| 2.00 oz | 56.70 g |
Standard strip dimensions in our range
| Model | Material | Configuration | Strip size | Profile | Packing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CTR-FE-01A | Fe (steel) | 4 x 5 g + 4 x 10 g | 140 x 19 x 3.8 mm | Round / right angle | 100 pcs / 50 pcs |
| CTR-FE-02A | Fe (steel) | 12 x 5 g | 140 x 19 x 3.8 mm | Round / right angle | 100 pcs / 50 pcs |
| CTR-PB-01A | Pb (lead) | 4 x 5 g + 4 x 10 g | 105 x 18 x 4 mm | Round / right angle | 100 pcs / 50 pcs |
| CTR-PB-02A | Pb (lead) | 12 x 5 g | 105 x 18 x 4 mm | Round / right angle | 100 pcs / 50 pcs |
Lead (Pb) strips are physically smaller for the same mass because lead is denser - about 11.3 g/cm3 against roughly 7.8 g/cm3 for steel. That is why a 105 mm Pb strip carries a similar mass to a 140 mm Fe strip.
Understanding segment configurations
The way a strip is divided into segments determines how flexible it is in the workshop:
| Configuration | Segment sizes | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 4 x 5 g + 4 x 10 g | 5 g and 10 g | Mixed balancing work where fine and coarse corrections are both needed |
| 12 x 5 g | 5 g only | Fine balancing and lighter wheels |
| Long strips (larger total) | 5 g or 10 g | Heavier wheels needing large corrections |
The mixed 4 x 5 g + 4 x 10 g strip is the most practical all-round stock item because the technician can build almost any required mass from the two segment sizes without wasting weight.
Weight tolerance: the hidden quality factor
Two strips that look identical can differ in how accurately each segment weighs. A loose tolerance means the wheel is not perfectly balanced even after the correct number of segments is fitted. When comparing suppliers, ask for the weight tolerance band per segment and a sample inspection report. A quality adhesive weight holds each segment within a tight tolerance so that the balancing result matches the machine's reading.
This is also why material consistency matters: because a given size is meant to deliver a specific mass, substituting a cheaper compound can change the density and throw the weight off.
Which series should you stock?
| Customer type | Recommended stock |
|---|---|
| Tyre shops and workshops | Mixed 5 g / 10 g strips in gram series - covers most passenger car balancing |
| Distributors and wholesalers | Both gram and OZ series, round and right-angle profiles |
| OE and premium accounts | Zinc or Fe with 3M or Norton tape, private label packing |
| Truck and commercial | Larger clip-on weights and heavy-duty adhesive ranges |
Common buying mistakes
| Mistake | Consequence | Do this instead |
|---|---|---|
| Stocking only 5 g segments | Too many segments on heavy corrections | Order the mixed 5 g / 10 g strip |
| Ordering the wrong unit series | Confusion for US buyers | Confirm gram or OZ series before ordering |
| Ignoring tape quality | Weights fall off in service | Specify named tape (3M, Norton) or branded generic |
| Skipping tolerance data | Wheels still vibrate | Ask for the tolerance band and inspection report |
| Buying only one profile | Cannot serve all rims | Stock both round and right-angle profiles |
For the full product range see Fe wheel balancing weights and Pb wheel balancing weights, or start with the adhesive wheel weights buying guide. To order mixed sizes in one shipment, contact our team.
- Unit conversion: 1 ounce = 28.3495 grams (international avoirdupois ounce)
- Material densities: steel approx. 7.8 g/cm3, zinc approx. 7.1 g/cm3, lead approx. 11.3 g/cm3
- Strip dimensions, configurations and packing: Century Auto Parts published product specifications