How to Measure Your Valve Stem Depth (RPV Sizing Guide)

1. What You Are Measuring

You’re checking how deep the valve stem sits inside the wheel.

This is the distance from the top surface of the wheel (where the valve pokes through) down to the bottom of the valve recess.

This depth determines whether you need the Standard or XL RPV.

2. What You Will Need

  • A straight object (ruler, drill bit, or straight screwdriver)

  • A digital caliper or accurate ruler (ideally to 0.1 mm or 0.01″)

3. How to Measure

  1. Remove your existing valve cap.

  2. Insert your straight tool into the valve recess until it contacts the shallow ledge/floor where the valve seat sits.

  3. Note or mark the point on the tool where it meets the outer surface of the wheel

  4. Remove the tool and measure from the tip to your mark.

    This number is your valve stem well depth.

4. Determine Standard vs. XL RPV

  • Standard RPV → For wheels with 15 mm depth or less

  • XL RPV → For deeper wells over 15 mm

5. Double‑Check and Compare

After measuring, compare your result with our fitment notes (e.g., Method, Dirty Life, KMC, ROH, etc.) to confirm your size.

If you are still unsure, drop us a text (see bottom right of the website to text us) with a picture of your wheel and we'll confirm for you.

HOW TO MEASURE YOUR VALVE STEM

CHOOSE YOUR WHEEL BRAND BELOW

https://apexdesignsusa.com.au/pages/dirty-life-race-wheels-precision-valve-size-chart

SAME WHEEL, DIFFERENT VALVE STEM

While our guide shows which wheels suit which valve stem, your wheel offset also affects which RPV you need.

For example, the King Offroad Hurricane 2 may require either a Standard or XL RPV depending on the offset.

Use the slider above to compare the differences.

Always double check your specific wheel

Wheel offset can change the valve stem depth, even within the same wheel model. The video above shows how offset affects fitment.

We’re continually updating our tables to include offset data, so if you share your exact wheel model and specs with us, we’ll add it to the guide to help everyone else.