Hometown Bikes tools

Gravel Tire Pressure Calculator

Gravel pressure has to balance comfort, grip, casing support, and rim protection. Tire width, surface, bags, tubes, and tubeless setup can move the starting point quickly.

Gravel tire pressure calculator

Prefilled for a 40 mm tubeless gravel tire on light gravel. Change the inputs for chunky gravel, tubes, bikepacking weight, or rim-pressure limits.

Common gravel tire widths

35 mmFirmer

Good for faster mixed-road rides, but less room for error.

40 mmBaseline

A practical starting point for many modern gravel bikes.

45 mmSofter

More volume for comfort, loose corners, and broken surfaces.

50 mmLower

Works well for rougher routes when frame clearance allows it.

Light gravel

Start near the balanced number. If the bike feels harsh, drop the front 1 PSI and retest.

Chunky gravel

Rim strikes matter more. Add support to the wheel that hits, usually the rear.

Tubeless

Tubeless can run lower, but burping or folding means the pressure is too low for that setup.

Bikepacking

Extra bags change the load. Add rear pressure first, then check front handling.

Protect the rim

Do not chase low pressure if the tire taps the rim. Add 1-2 PSI to the affected wheel, or consider a stronger casing, insert, or wider tire.