Measure spoke length from the inside of the nipple to the centre of the hub hole
A spoke runs from a hole in the hub (the centre wheel part) to the rim. To measure one accurately, you need to know the distance from the inside of the nipple — the small threaded piece at the rim end — to the centre of the hub hole where the spoke threads begin. This is the only measurement that matters when ordering a replacement spoke, because it is the only part that changes between different wheel sizes and spoke patterns.
You do not need special tools. A ruler or measuring tape works fine. The tricky part is not the measuring itself — it is knowing where to start and stop. Most people measure the wrong distance the first time and end up with spokes that do not fit.
If your wheel is still built, you can measure a good spoke directly. If you are replacing a broken one or rebuilding the wheel, you will measure the hole positions on the hub and rim instead. Both methods give you the same answer.
Key Takeaways
- Spoke length is measured from the inside of the nipple (the rim end) to the centre of the hub hole, not from end to end of the spoke itself.
- If you have an intact spoke on the wheel, measure it directly with a ruler; if the spoke is broken or missing, measure the distance between the hub hole and rim hole instead.
- Spoke length varies by wheel size, hub width, and spoke pattern (how many spokes and how they cross), so you need the exact measurement before ordering replacements.
- Write down the measurement and the wheel size (usually printed on the tyre sidewall) when you contact a bike shop or order online, because the shop may ask for both to confirm the size.
Measuring a spoke that is still on the wheel
If the wheel is built and the spoke is intact, this is the fastest method. Remove the wheel from the bike and lay it flat on a table or workbench. You will be measuring one spoke, so pick one that is not bent or damaged.
Place one end of a ruler or measuring tape at the inside edge of the nipple — the threaded collar at the rim. This is where the spoke thread ends. Push the ruler or tape straight across the wheel toward the hub, keeping it aligned with the spoke. Stop at the centre of the hub hole where the spoke begins. The distance between these two points is your spoke length.
Write the number down when ready. Spoke lengths are usually between 250 and 310 millimetres, depending on wheel size. If you get a measurement that seems very short (under 200 mm) or very long (over 330 mm), double-check that you started at the inside of the nipple and not the outside, and that you stopped at the hole centre and not the edge of the hub flange.
Measuring hub and rim holes when the spoke is missing or broken
If the spoke is gone or too damaged to measure, you measure the holes instead. You will need to know the hub width (the distance across the hub from flange to flange) and the rim diameter. The rim diameter is usually printed on the tyre sidewall — look for a number like 700C, 26", or 29".
Measure the distance from the centre of one hub hole to the centre of the corresponding hole on the rim. This is easier if you remove the wheel and lay it flat. Use a ruler or measuring tape and measure straight across, not along the curve of the wheel. The measurement you get is your spoke length.
If you cannot remove the wheel or do not have a long enough ruler, you can calculate the spoke length instead. You will need the hub width, the rim diameter, and the number of spokes. A bike shop can do this calculation for you in seconds if you give them those three numbers. Many shops will also measure a spoke for you while you wait, so if you are unsure, bringing the wheel in is often faster than trying to measure at home.
Why spoke length matters and what changes it
Spokes are made to exact lengths because they must pull the rim into a specific shape under tension. A spoke that is too long will not tighten enough and the wheel will be loose and wobbly. A spoke that is too short will break under the tension needed to true the wheel. Neither mistake is fixable — you have to replace the spoke with the correct length.
Spoke length changes when you change the wheel size, the hub width, or the spoke pattern. A 26-inch wheel needs different spokes than a 700C wheel. A hub with a 100 mm axle width needs different spokes than a 130 mm hub. A wheel laced with a 3-cross pattern (each spoke crosses three others) needs the same length as a 4-cross pattern on the same wheel, but the angle is different, so the spoke must be the right length for the pattern you are using.
If you are replacing spokes on an existing wheel, measure one of the old spokes. If you are building a new wheel or rebuilding an old one, you need to know the hub width and rim size before you can order spokes.
Common mistakes when measuring spokes
The most common error is measuring from the outside of the nipple instead of the inside. The nipple is a small threaded piece, and it is straightforward to place the ruler on the wrong side. The inside edge is the one closer to the hub — the edge where the spoke thread actually ends. If you measure from the outside edge, your measurement will be too long by about 3 to 5 millimetres, and the replacement spoke will not fit.
The second common mistake is measuring along the spoke itself instead of straight across the wheel. Spokes are angled, so if you follow the spoke with your ruler, you will get a longer measurement than the true distance. Always measure in a straight line from the nipple to the hub hole, not along the curve of the spoke.
A third mistake is measuring to the edge of the hub flange instead of the centre of the hole. The hub flange is the wide part of the hub that holds the spokes. The hole is drilled through it. You want the distance to the centre of that hole, not to the nearest edge of the flange. If you measure to the edge, your answer will be off by several millimetres.
What to do with your measurement
Once you have the spoke length, you have two options: take the wheel to a bike shop and let them order or install the spoke, or order the spoke yourself online or by phone.
If you go to a shop, bring the wheel and tell them the spoke length you measured. They can confirm it is correct, order the right spoke if they do not have it in stock, and install it for you. This usually costs between $5 and $15 per spoke for labour, plus the cost of the spoke itself (usually $1 to $4).
If you order online, you will need the spoke length, the spoke type (straight gauge, double-butted, or triple-butted — ask a shop if you are not sure), and the material (steel or stainless steel). Most online retailers ask for the length in millimetres. Write it down clearly so you do not accidentally order the wrong size.
When to measure spokes on both sides of the wheel
In most wheels, all spokes are the same length. However, some wheels have different spoke lengths on the drive side (the right side, where the gears are) and the non-drive side (the left side). This is common on rear wheels because the hub is wider on the drive side to fit the gears.
If you are replacing a spoke and you are not sure which side it came from, measure a spoke from each side. If they are different lengths, write both down and note which is which. When you order replacements, tell the shop or retailer which side each spoke goes on.
If you are rebuilding the entire wheel, the shop that sells you the spokes will ask whether it is a front wheel (usually all spokes the same length) or a rear wheel (possibly different lengths on each side). Have the hub and rim information ready so they can tell you what you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I measure a spoke while it is still on the wheel without removing the wheel?
Yes, but it is harder. You need a long ruler or measuring tape and a steady hand. Removing the wheel makes it easier to see the nipple and hub hole clearly and to keep the ruler straight. If the wheel is hard to remove, measuring it on the bike is better than not measuring at all — just take extra care to measure from the inside of the nipple and straight to the hub hole centre.
What if I measure two spokes and get different lengths?
Measure a third spoke to see which measurement appears twice. If all three are different, the wheel may have been poorly built or repaired. Bring it to a shop and let them check it. Do not order spokes based on a measurement you are unsure about, because you may end up with the wrong size.
Do I need to know the spoke gauge (thickness) to measure length?
No. Spoke length and spoke gauge are separate things. Length is measured from nipple to hub hole. Gauge is the thickness of the spoke wire. You measure length with a ruler. You determine gauge by looking at the old spoke or asking a shop. Both matter when you order a replacement, but you measure only the length yourself.
What if the nipple is damaged or missing?
If the nipple is gone but the spoke is still in the hub, measure from the end of the spoke thread (where the nipple would screw on) to the centre of the hub hole. If both the spoke and nipple are missing, measure the hub hole to the rim hole as described in the section above. A bike shop can also measure this for you if you bring the wheel in.
Is there a tool that measures spokes automatically?
No. Spoke length is measured with a ruler or measuring tape, the same way you would measure anything else. Some bike shops have digital calipers or other tools that can help, but a basic ruler works fine and costs nothing. The key is knowing where to start and stop, not the tool you use.