In everyday usage, the wheel cap is most often called a hubcap. The small center piece on many wheels is what specialists call the center cap. The exact term varies with the function and the type of wheel, so here is a breakdown of the common terms and how they are used in practice.
Key terms and what they cover
Below is a glossary of the main terms you’ll encounter when discussing wheel coverings, including what part each one refers to and how it’s typically used on different wheel types.
- Hubcap: A decorative disk that covers the wheel hub and lug nuts on steel wheels; can also refer to covers that snap onto rims. It is a broad term often used for the outer wheel cover.
- Center cap: The small cap at the wheel’s center that covers the axle hub and often displays the vehicle’s logo; common on alloy wheels.
- Wheel cover: A removable decorative disk that snaps onto a wheel, typically used on steel wheels to hide the lug nuts; sometimes used interchangeably with hubcap.
- Wheel trim / rim cap: A cosmetic ring or plate around the wheel, sometimes called rim trim or rim cap; may not fully cover lug nuts.
In practice, the terms overlap and people may use hubcap and wheel cover interchangeably, depending on whether the piece covers the lug nuts or simply the center area.
Hubcap vs center cap: what to look for
Understanding the distinction helps when shopping for replacements or assessing damage. Here’s how to tell them apart on most cars:
- Hubcap (wheel cover): The full disk or cover that hides the wheel hub and lug nuts, commonly found on steel wheels.
- Center cap: The small disk at the exact center of the wheel that covers the axle hub and often bears the logo; on many alloy wheels this is a separate piece.
- Functional difference: If the part covers the lug nuts, it’s typically a hubcap or wheel cover; if it sits over the center hub, it’s a center cap.
- Materials and fit: Hubcaps can be metal or plastic and may snap on; center caps are usually round plugs that screw or press into the center of the wheel.
Whether you need a hubcap, center cap, or wheel cover depends on your wheel type and which part is missing or damaged.
Regional usage and industry notes
Terminology can vary by region and carmaker. Here’s a quick guide by common usage patterns:
- United States: “Hubcap” is commonly used for the decorative disk on steel wheels; “center cap” refers to the logo-bearing piece at the wheel’s center on many cars.
- United Kingdom and parts of Europe: “Wheel cover” is widely understood and used; “hubcap” may be used but is less common in everyday language. “Center cap” remains the precise term for the center piece.
- Automotive industry: The official terminology distinguishes center cap as the center piece; “hubcap” often applies to the outer wheel cover, especially when covering lug nuts.
- Aftermarket catalogs: You’ll see “hubcap” for exterior wheel covers and “center cap” for the central logo-cap; “wheel cover” is used as a broader term.
Regardless of the label, the physical piece you’re dealing with should fit your wheel type and model, and you’ll need to know whether you need a hubcap, a center cap, or a full wheel cover when shopping for replacements.
Summary
The common wheel cap you see on many cars is typically called a hubcap, especially when referring to the full wheel cover on steel wheels. The inner piece at the wheel’s center is usually a center cap, which may be separate from the outer hubcap on many alloy wheels. Regional and manufacturer variations mean these terms can overlap, so checking the part’s function—whether it covers lug nuts, the center hub, or both—helps you identify the correct replacement.
What is the cap on a wheel called?
Defining Hubcaps and Alloy Wheels
Hubcaps, also known as wheel covers, are decorative discs that fit over the central part of the wheel. They serve primarily an aesthetic function, giving a polished look to otherwise plain steel wheels.
How much does it cost to replace a hub cap?
An aftermarket hub cap replacement can cost you anywhere from $20 to $100 on parts alone. As for labor, you can expect to pay around an extra $20 to $200 to have your damaged hub cap professionally replaced.
What is another name for a wheel cap?
A hubcap, also known as a wheel cover or wheel trim, is a decorative cover that fits over the central portion of a car's wheel. Its primary purpose is to cover the wheel hub and lug nuts, providing a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.
What do you call the thing that covers the wheel?
Hubcaps, also known as wheel covers, serve primarily as decorative covers for the center portion of the wheel. They are designed to conceal the lug nuts, other components at the hub of the wheel, and dress up the black-painted steel wheel face. It's particularly helpful as fading and corrosion kick in.