What is corner weighting and why does it matter?
Most people obsess over horsepower, suspension brands, or how low their car sits. But if you really want a car that feels dialled in, one that brakes straight, turns predictably, and makes the most of every bit of grip - you need to think about corner weighting.
It’s one of the most overlooked tuning steps. Yet it has a huge impact on how your car behaves. This guide breaks it all down in plain English. What it is, why it matters, and how to measure and fix it using our corner weight calculator.
What is corner weighting?
Corner weighting is the process of measuring and adjusting how much weight is sitting on each individual wheel.
It’s not just about total weight. It’s about how that weight is spread across the car. Even if your car is balanced front to rear or left to right, the diagonal weight split might be way off. That is what really affects handling.
You might hear it called cross-weighting or scaling a car. It all means the same thing. You are balancing the load on each corner of the car to get better performance and more predictable handling.
Why corner weight matters
Imagine this.
You turn left and the car feels sharp
You turn right and it understeers like a shopping trolley
Under hard braking, it pulls slightly to one side
Mid-corner, one wheel feels light and nervous
That may not be bad alignment. It could be poor weight balance.
Uneven corner weights create an imbalance in grip across each axle. The car reacts differently depending on which way you're turning or braking. It can also mess with ABS, traction control, and corner-exit traction.
What is cross-weight?
Cross-weight, or diagonal weight, is the percentage of the car’s weight sitting across two opposing corners.
Formula:
(LF + RR) ÷ Total Weight × 100 = Cross-Weight %
LF = Left Front
RR = Right Rear
This is compared to RF + LR (Right Front + Left Rear)
Ideally, on a flat surface with the driver in the seat, you want cross-weight as close to 50 percent as possible.
That means the car loads evenly across both diagonals. That gives you consistent handling in both left and right turns.
How weight distribution affects handling
| Setup | Result |
|---|---|
| Too much weight on one rear corner | Car squats unevenly under acceleration |
| Uneven front weight | Inconsistent braking or steering feel |
| Bad cross-weight | Different behaviour in left versus right turns |
| Driver weight ignored | Whole setup is off-balance |
Even small shifts in weight can have a big effect. Ten or twenty kilos out of place makes a difference, especially in a lightweight car.
How to corner weight a car
1. Get four corner scales
You need proper corner weight scales. Some people use bathroom scales and planks for a rough setup, but real kit gives better results.
2. Use flat, level ground
Any slope will throw off your readings.
3. Match tyre pressures
Uneven pressures will give false readings and confuse your setup.
4. Put the driver in the car (or same weight in the seat)
Your weight shifts the balance. Always include the driver or simulate it with ballast.
5. Record all four corners
Weigh each wheel. Enter those numbers into our corner weight calculator to get your weight balance and cross-weight percentage.
How to adjust corner weight
If you have coilovers with adjustable spring perches:
Raising a corner increases the weight on that wheel
Lowering a corner reduces the weight on that wheel
But it is not one-to-one. Adjusting one coilover affects all four corners. Think of it like a table. Lift one leg and the whole thing shifts.
You are not aiming for perfect left to right or front to rear. You are aiming for a balanced cross-weight.
Use the calculator to check your setup
Once you have your four corner weights, plug them into the corner weight calculator. It will show you:
Total vehicle weight
Cross-weight percentage
Left to right distribution
Front to rear balance
From there, you can decide what needs adjusting and which coilovers to tweak.
Bottom line
If your car feels nervous in one direction, pulls under braking, or just does not feel right in corners, corner weighting might be the missing link.
It is not just for race cars. It is for anyone who wants better balance, better control, and more confidence behind the wheel.
Corner weighting affects how your car behaves
Cross-weight should be close to 50 percent
The only way to know is to measure it
Use the corner weight calculator to find your imbalance and fix it fast
Get it right and your car will not just feel better. It will feel like it was built for you.