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How to Use Relative Box in Iracing
Learn how to use relative box in iRacing: a calm, step-by-step guide for iRacing beginners and those new to iRacing. Spot nearby cars faster and race with confidence.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed on track because you couldn’t tell where other cars were, you’re not alone. Learning how to use relative box in iRacing will turn that confusion into useful, calm awareness — no engineering degree required.
Quick note: this article is written for iRacing beginners and anyone new to iRacing who wants clear, practical iRacing tips.
Quick Answer: how to use relative box in iracing
The relative box is iRacing’s on-screen list that shows nearby cars, gaps, and relative track position. Use it to see who’s ahead/behind, their lap status, and the time delta. It helps you make safe decisions in traffic without constantly scanning mirrors or chasing numbers.
Why this matters for beginners
For iRacing beginners, the cockpit, mirrors, and HUD can feel like information overload. The relative box simplifies that by summarizing the most important data: who is around you and by how much. Many new users miss that it’s configurable—so they assume it’s broken or irrelevant. Once you understand it, you’ll know how iRacing works in traffic and start making smarter moves in races.
Simple step-by-step guide
- Open the HUD settings: In a session, press Escape → Options → Graphics/HUD to find HUD elements.
- Enable the Relative Box: Look for “Relative Box” or “Relative Panel” and turn it on if it’s hidden.
- Position & size: Drag or use settings to place it where it doesn’t block your view (common spots: bottom-left or top-right).
- Read the columns: Name, position change (▲▼), lap/leader status, and delta (time gap). Learn the icons — yellow means lapping, green often shows faster pace.
- Practice: Use it in practice sessions first, watch how deltas change through a corner and on straights.
Common mistakes (and how to fix them)
- Mistake: Thinking the relative box is live timing only. Fix: It updates relative to your car; watch deltas over a few seconds to see trends rather than instant values.
- Mistake: Placing it where it blocks apex or braking points. Fix: Move it to a corner of the screen or reduce size/opacity.
- Mistake: Ignoring lap/position icons. Fix: Learn the simple symbols — they tell you if someone is a lap down or undercutting.
FAQs
Q: Can I customize what the relative box shows?
A: Yes. In HUD settings you can toggle columns, size, and placement to match your screen and preferences.
Q: Does it replace mirrors?
A: No — it complements them. Use mirrors for visual confirmation and the relative box for quick numeric gaps and lap info.
Q: I’m new to iRacing — where can I learn more?
A: Try practice sessions and short races, read beginner guides, and ask friendly groups. iRacing Discord communities are a great place to get quick tips and screenshots from other drivers.
Q: Why does the delta jump wildly sometimes?
A: Network latency, pit stops, and track sectors cause sudden changes. Watch trends over a few seconds instead of single spikes.
Final takeaways
The relative box is a small tool that delivers big clarity: it reduces guesswork about who’s around you and how close they are. Next session, enable it, place it where it’s comfortable, and spend five laps just watching how deltas behave through corners. That simple habit will improve your race craft fast.