Quick answer: gravel tire pressure by width
For a 75 kg (165 lb) rider on mixed gravel, start a 40mm tubeless tire at 30–38 PSI and a 45mm tubeless tire at 26–34 PSI. With inner tubes, add about 6 PSI to avoid pinch flats.
Use the upper end on hardpack and tarmac, the lower end on loose gravel, roots and washboard. Put the rear 2–4 PSI above the front.
| Tire width | With inner tube | Tubeless |
|---|---|---|
| 35 mm | 45–55 PSI (3.1–3.8 bar) | 38–48 PSI (2.6–3.3 bar) |
| 38 mm | 40–48 PSI (2.8–3.3 bar) | 34–42 PSI (2.3–2.9 bar) |
| 40 mm | 36–44 PSI (2.5–3.0 bar) | 30–38 PSI (2.1–2.6 bar) |
| 45 mm | 32–40 PSI (2.2–2.8 bar) | 26–34 PSI (1.8–2.3 bar) |
| 50 mm / 2.0" | 28–35 PSI (1.9–2.4 bar) | 22–30 PSI (1.5–2.1 bar) |
Use the upper end on hardpack and tarmac, the lower end on loose gravel, roots and washboard. Put the rear 2–4 PSI above the front.
Quick answer: MTB tire pressure by discipline
Mountain bike pressures are lower because the tires are much bigger, and most riders run tubeless. For a 75 kg (165 lb) rider:
With inner tubes, add 4–6 PSI. Heavier e-MTBs need more; see our e-bike tire pressure guide.
| Discipline and width | Front (tubeless) | Rear (tubeless) |
|---|---|---|
| XC, 2.2–2.35" | 22–26 PSI (1.5–1.8 bar) | 24–28 PSI (1.7–1.9 bar) |
| Trail, 2.4–2.5" | 20–24 PSI (1.4–1.7 bar) | 23–27 PSI (1.6–1.9 bar) |
| Enduro, 2.5–2.6" | 19–23 PSI (1.3–1.6 bar) | 23–28 PSI (1.6–1.9 bar) |
| Plus, 2.8–3.0" | 14–18 PSI (1.0–1.2 bar) | 16–20 PSI (1.1–1.4 bar) |
With inner tubes, add 4–6 PSI. Heavier e-MTBs need more; see our e-bike tire pressure guide.
Tubeless vs. inner tubes off-road
An inner tube gets pinched between the rim and a rock when the tire compresses fully. That "snakebite" flat is the main reason tubed tires need higher pressure. Tubeless tires cannot pinch-flat in the same way, so you can drop pressure for grip and comfort. The limit then becomes rim strikes and the tire rolling off the rim in hard corners.
If you hear the rim hit rocks or the tire feels vague when you lean the bike over, add 2 PSI. Setting up tubeless for the first time? Read our tubeless inflation and sealant guide.
If you hear the rim hit rocks or the tire feels vague when you lean the bike over, add 2 PSI. Setting up tubeless for the first time? Read our tubeless inflation and sealant guide.
Adjust for weight, terrain and inserts
Rider weight: add or remove about 1 PSI per 5 kg (11 lb) for MTB tires, and 1.5 PSI per 5 kg for gravel tires.
Mud and wet roots: drop 1–2 PSI for a bigger, softer contact patch.
Fast, rocky descents: add 1–2 PSI to the rear to protect the rim.
Tire inserts (CushCore, Vittoria Air-Liner and similar): you can go 2–3 PSI lower, as the insert supports the sidewall and protects the rim.
Tire casing: thin XC casings need a bit more pressure than reinforced downhill casings at the same width.
Mud and wet roots: drop 1–2 PSI for a bigger, softer contact patch.
Fast, rocky descents: add 1–2 PSI to the rear to protect the rim.
Tire inserts (CushCore, Vittoria Air-Liner and similar): you can go 2–3 PSI lower, as the insert supports the sidewall and protects the rim.
Tire casing: thin XC casings need a bit more pressure than reinforced downhill casings at the same width.
Use a precise gauge
At 20–30 PSI, 2 PSI is a 10% change and you will feel it. Floor pump gauges are often off by 2–3 PSI in this range. A separate digital gauge makes your settings repeatable. Write down the pressure on a ride that felt good and use it as your baseline.
Our tire pressure calculator gives a starting point for your weight, width and terrain.
Our tire pressure calculator gives a starting point for your weight, width and terrain.
Topping up on the trail
Low-volume mini pumps take hundreds of strokes to add 10 PSI to a 2.4" tire. Many trailheads, bike parks and towns have free public pumps, often with a Presta and Schrader head. Find the nearest on our bike pump map with over 50,000 locations. For road tires, see road bike tire pressure by width.
