What was the diameter of the wheels on the original Mini in inches?

The original Mini had 10-inch wheels.

That unusually small wheel diameter was central to Alec Issigonis’s space-saving design. The Mini’s transverse engine, front-wheel drive and wheels pushed toward the corners all helped create a remarkably roomy cabin for such a short car; the 10-inch wheels complemented that compact layout.

The size was not simply chosen for appearance. Issigonis originally wanted wheels even smaller than 10 inches, but tyre development and engineering considerations made 10 inches the practical production choice. Dunlop developed suitable tyres for the new car, which was launched in 1959.

The 10-inch specification is often confused with later Mini upgrades. Some later versions gained larger 12-inch or 13-inch wheels, especially as braking systems, tyres and performance variants evolved. Those later sizes do not describe the original Mini. The small wheels also contributed to the car’s distinctive proportions and helped keep unsprung components compact, although the limited tyre sidewall and small footprint were part of the period design rather than a modern performance formula.