Finding the right tyre pressure for your bike is no small matter: it’s one of the settings that has the most direct impact on your comfort, performance and safety. If your tyres are over-inflated, they’ll bounce over bumps and lose grip. If they’re under-inflated, they increase the risk of a pinch puncture and reduce performance.
Our bike tyre pressure calculator gives you the ideal pressure for both the front and rear tyres for your exact setup in just a few seconds. It takes into account the weight of the system (rider + bike), the actual tyre width, the internal rim width, the type of set-up (inner tube, tubeless, latex, clincher), the terrain you ride on and whether you have hookless rims.
Fill in the fields below to get your recommended pressures.
Leave blank to apply a default value suitable for the tyre.
How to use our tyre pressure calculator?
The calculator asks for six pieces of information, only one of which is optional. The more accurate your data, the more accurate the recommendation will be.
- Weigh yourself fully kitted out and add the weight of your bike. An error of 5 kg in the total weight can cause the recommended pressure to vary by 0.2 to 0.3 bar.
- Measure the actual width of the fitted tyre using a calliper once it is inflated on your rim. The width indicated on the sidewall is a nominal width which may differ by several millimetres once fitted, particularly on a wide rim.
- State the internal width of the rim if you know it (often engraved on the rim or specified by the manufacturer). This is an important factor: a wider rim ‘spreads out’ the tyre, allowing you to ride at a lower pressure.
- Choose the tyre type: tube-type, tubeless, latex or clincher. Each technology has a different optimal pressure range.
- Select the terrain: standard road, rough road, dirt track or challenging trail.
- Tick ‘hookless rim’ if your rim does not have a retaining hook. This technology imposes a maximum safe pressure that must never be exceeded.
Road bike tyre pressure: the basics
For a long time in cycling, road cyclists sought to inflate their tyres as hard as possible, believing this would minimise rolling resistance. Studies carried out in recent years by tyre laboratories have shown the opposite to be true: beyond a certain threshold, increasing the pressure reduces performance.
The phenomenon at play is calledimpedance: a tyre that is too hard no longer deforms its sidewall to absorb the micro-irregularities in the tarmac; instead, it transmits them to the wheel, the frame and the cyclist in the form of vibrations. These vibrations represent wasted energy. On a rough road, lowering the pressure by 1 bar can save several watts.
Recommended pressure according to tyre width (road)
Tyre width is the most decisive factor after weight. The wider the tyre, the greater its air volume, and the lower it can be inflated whilst maintaining a stable carcass. This is why the trend in recent years has been towards wider sections (28, 30 or even 32 mm) for road bike tyres, including in competition.
TubelessInner tube or tubular: how does this affect tyre pressure?
The type of tyre construction significantly affects the target pressure:
- Tubetype inner tube: traditional fit, standard pressure. Main risk: pinch flats if the pressure is too low.
- Tubeless : allows you to ride at a lower pressure than with an equivalent inner tube, without the risk of a pinch puncture. This is the best solution for combining comfort, efficiency and puncture resistance. Requires a tubeless sealant.
- Latex: latex inner tubes are more flexible than butyl ones; they offer slightly better performance and allow for slightly lower inflation pressure. However, they lose air quickly, so it is recommended to top them up before every ride.
- Tubular: a traditional technology still used in competition, which withstands high pressures without the risk of pinching thanks to its construction, which is glued to the rim.
Gravel bike tyre pressure: adapt to the terrain
In gravel riding, the approach is the opposite to that on the road: low pressure is the norm. The aim is to maximise the tyre-to-ground contact area to improve grip, comfort and shock absorption. Too high a pressure on a stony track causes the bike to bounce, makes the wheels skid when cornering and tires the rider out prematurely.
From loose gravel tracks to challenging terrain: adjusting your tyre pressure
Our tyre pressure calculator distinguishes between two types of off-road terrain:
- Soft trails: fast-rolling tracks, fine gravel, compacted earth. Tyre pressure can remain relatively high to maintain performance, provided a flexible casing is used.
- Rough terrain: single tracks, stony paths, roots, banked corners. Tyre pressure must be lowered to absorb impacts and ensure grip. A tubeless setup becomes almost essential at these pressures.
FAQ – Tyre pressure for road and gravel bikes
What is the ideal tyre pressure for a 28 mm road bike tyre?
For a 75 kg cyclist on a 28 mm tubeless tyre, the recommended pressure is around 4.25 bar at the front and 4.80 bar at the rear on tarmac. Use our calculator for a precise figure based on your weight and rim.
Can you ride gravel bikes at the same pressure as road bikes?
No, gravel riding requires significantly lower pressures (generally between 2 and 3.5 bar depending on the terrain and tyre width) to absorb uneven ground and ensure grip.
Tubeless Or inner tubes: what pressure should you ride at?
Tubeless tyres allow you to ride at 0.3 to 0.5 bar lower than with an inner tube, without the risk of a pinch flat. This is a major advantage in terms of comfort and efficiency on rough roads, and virtually a prerequisite for gravel riding.
What is the maximum pressure on a hookless rim?
5.5 bar in most cases, but always check your rim manufacturer’s specifications. Exceeding this limit carries a risk of sudden tyre detachment.
How often should you check your tyre pressure?
Before every ride for tubeless tyres and latex inner tubes, which lose air quickly. Once a week is sufficient for standard butyl inner tubes.
