Furniture Castor Wheels-information

Furniture Castor Wheels: Types, Uses, Materials, Sizes & Repairs

Lockable, swivel and fixed wheels — where each is used. Metals from solid brass through zinc and stainless steel, plus nylon. What size to buy, how much weight they carry, and how to install, fix or replace one.

The three wheel types & their uses

Every furniture castor falls into one of these three — pick by how the piece moves and where it lives.

Swivel wheel

Fork pivots 360° on a kingpin; offset axle makes the wheel trail, so it turns instantly.

Uses: office & dining chairs, coffee tables, trolleys, beds, anything manoeuvred in tight spaces. Often paired with two fixed wheels.

Fixed / rigid wheel

Rigid fork, no pivot. Rolls in a straight line only — no wandering, highest stability.

Uses: sofas, heavy cabinets, sideboards, trolleys that run straight. Classic layout: 2 fixed + 2 swivel per item for control + turning.

Lockable wheel

A swivel caster with a brake lever. Three grades: wheel brake (stops rolling), directional lock (stops swivel), total lock (both).

Uses: desks, kitchen islands, workbenches, display units, anything that moves occasionally but must stay put when in use.

Wheel diameter & typical capacity

Typical furniture ranges — always check the maker's stated rating. Size for 3 of 4 wheels carrying the load (built-in safety margin).

Wheel size Typical load / caster Common uses
1 in (25 mm) ~10–40 kg Chairs, ottomans, small cabinets
1.5 in (38 mm) ~20–50 kg Coffee tables, dressers, bedside units
2 in (50 mm) — most common ~30–70 kg Desks, trolleys, beds, shelving
2.5–3 in (65–75 mm) ~50–120 kg Sofas, workbenches, heavy cabinets
4 in+ (100 mm+) 100 kg+ Pianos, industrial, outdoor equipment
Measure before you buy: (1) wheel diameter, (2) total mounting height, (3) mounting type — grip-neck stem common size 5/16 in × 1½ in (8 × 38 mm); threaded stem usually M6/M8/M10 or 3/8 in-16; top plate measure hole-to-hole spacing (often 47 × 47 mm, 50 × 50 mm, 75 × 75 mm). A mismatched stem or plate pattern is the #1 reason a new caster won't fit.

Match a castor to your project

Pick one option per row — the recommendation updates live.

Wheel type

Material

Environment

Recommended: choose a 360° swivel caster — manoeuvrable in tight spaces; ideal for chairs, tables and trolleys, in solid or antique-brass finish for a warm traditional look that patinas with age. For indoor/dry use any metal works; match the finish to your furniture hardware. Always confirm the mounting type (plate hole pattern or stem diameter/length) and per-caster load rating before ordering.

Load ratings are typical ranges — verify the manufacturer's stated per-caster capacity, mounting dimensions, and tread material for your floor. Sources: caster manufacturer spec sheets & furniture-hardware guides.