Wheel Load and Corner Weight Calculator
Calculate the load on each wheel of a vehicle from total weight, wheelbase, track width, and center of gravity height.
Find corner weights, front/rear bias, and understeer/oversteer tendency.
Static Wheel Loads The static load at each axle is determined by the center of gravity (CG) position: Front axle load: Wf = W × (b / L) Rear axle load: Wr = W × (a / L) Where: W = total weight, L = wheelbase, a = CG distance from front axle, b = CG distance from rear axle. Load per wheel = axle load / 2 (for equal left/right distribution on flat ground).
Corner Weight Measurement Real vehicles are corner-weighted with scales at each wheel. True corner weighting corrects for left/right imbalance and chassis twist. Performance cars are corner-weighted with the driver seated (adds 70–90 kg).
Weight Transfer Under Acceleration/Braking Longitudinal weight transfer: ΔW = (W × a_g × h) / L Where a_g = acceleration in g, h = CG height, L = wheelbase. Under braking at 1g: all weight transfers forward by (W × h / L). Stiffer front suspension = more front roll resistance = more understeer.
Lateral Weight Transfer (Cornering) Lateral ΔW = (W × ay × h) / Track width ay = lateral acceleration (g), h = CG height. Lower CG height → less lateral weight transfer → more grip. Formula cars: CG height ~200 mm. SUVs: ~700–900 mm.
Front/Rear Bias % front = (front axle load / total weight) × 100 50/50 is ideal for balanced handling (rear-wheel drive sports cars, F1). Most street cars: 55–65% front (front engine, front drive). Mid-engine sports cars (Ferrari, Porsche mid): ~42% front / 58% rear.
Understeer and Oversteer More front load = understeer tendency (car pushes straight). More rear load = oversteer tendency (rear steps out). Front-biased: safer for novice drivers (most street cars). Rear-biased (50/50 or rear-heavy): faster but requires skill.