Choosing a swivel castor might seem straightforward, but there’s more to it than you may think. There are so many sizes, materials, and mounting types that it can be difficult to decide which wheel is most suitable. A wrong choice can damage your floor or make a cart very hard to push. With this 5-step plan and our practical wheel selection guide, you’ll get clear insight—so you can always pick the best castor for your situation.
Step 1: Load Capacity
The first step is calculating the load capacity. Add the weight of your load plus the object the wheels will go under, then divide by the number of wheels. Preferably calculate on three instead of four: if one wheel loses contact with the floor, the weight temporarily rests on the remaining three.
Example:
Suppose you have a roll-container weighing 50 kg and you want to carry up to 250 kg of load.
- The total weight is then 300 kg.
- 300 kg ÷ 3 = 100 kg per wheel.
You therefore need castors with a minimum load capacity of 100 kg each.
Step 2: Floor & Material Choice
The floor type largely determines which wheel is most suitable. Each surface calls for a different material:
- Nylon wheels – hard, wear-resistant, and low rolling resistance. Great for concrete or tile floors and heavy loads, but somewhat noisy.
- Rubber or TPR wheels – ideal for wood or laminate floors. Rubber protects and cushions; TPR tends to be durable and often non-marking.
- PU (polyurethane) wheels – suitable for epoxy or resin floors. They combine high load capacity with cushioning and leave no marks.
- Elastic rubber wheels – the best choice for uneven floors or outdoor use. They absorb shocks, provide comfort, and are suitable for intensive use.
Step 3: Diameter & Overall Height
The size of the wheel affects how smoothly it rolls. Small wheels are compact and handy for light furniture or tight spaces. Larger wheels roll more easily over thresholds and unevenness and deliver greater comfort under heavy load.
Also pay attention to *overall height*: that’s the wheel plus mounting height. A taller wheel can help with obstacles, but must fit the available space. Want more detail? See our advice page Wheel Advice.
With this in mind, selecting a castor becomes much easier.
Step 4: Mounting Type
Not every wheel is mounted the same way. The type of mounting decides how securely the wheel is fixed and how stable the application is:
- Stem / Threaded pin – useful for items that already have a fitting, like chairs or tables. See threaded stem swivel castors.
- Central hole / bolt hole – provides a solid mounting with a bolt or screw.
- Top plate – offers the most stable mounting, ideal for heavy workbenches, trolleys, or transport equipment.
The mounting you choose always depends on the object and the stability required. Chair castors often use stems, heavy-duty castors often use top plates.
Step 5: Extra Features for Comfort & Safety
If you want extra convenience or security, there are several options that enhance the use of your castors. Consider swivel castors with brakes to lock a cart, table, or roll during use or loading/unloading. Stainless steel forks are a smart choice for outdoor or hygienic environments, such as food industry or labs. Check also brake swivel castors.
Checklist: Your Complete Wheel Selection Guide
Using this plan step by step, you’ll choose the right castor for your application. This checklist acts as a compact selection guide to help you make the right decisions:
- Calculate load capacity – add load + object and divide by three.
- Choose material based on floor – e.g. nylon for concrete, elastic rubber for delicate floors.
- Decide on diameter & overall height – larger wheels roll better, small wheels are more compact.
- Select mounting type – stem, bolt hole, or top plate depending on the object.
- Consider extra features – like brakes or stainless forks.
That way, you'll be sure to select the right type of castor for your situation. With this plan and our online Swivel Castors category, you have a practical assistant to always make the right decision when choosing a castor.