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How to Show Relative in Iracing

‘how to show relative in iracing’ answered: quick steps for iRacing drivers to turn on the Relative HUD/Spotter and restore missing relative info fast. Now.

If you’re asking “how to show relative in iracing,” the quick answer is: the Relative display is an optional HUD widget — turn it on in the in‑session HUD/Scoring overlay or enable it in the HUD settings so the Relative box and spotter timing appear. You’re in the right place to fix this fast.

Quick Answer — how to show relative in iracing

The Relative box is a HUD element that shows time/gap to nearby cars. While in a session open the Scoring/HUD overlay, find the Relative option and toggle it on. If it still hides, restore your HUD layout or enable Relative in the session display settings.

What’s really going on

“Relative” is not a separate program — it’s an iRacing HUD element that shows lap-gap and position changes to the car ahead/behind. It can be hidden by the HUD layout, switched off in the session overlay, or moved off‑screen by UI scaling. You won’t see it if the overall HUD is hidden, if you’re using a custom HUD that doesn’t include Relative, or if a third‑party app is replacing that information.

Step-by-step fix

  1. Join any practice/qualifying/race session and press the key that brings up the Session/Scoring overlay (default is Tab in most setups) or click the on‑screen session button.
  2. In the overlay look for a small “Relative” or “Gaps/Relative” toggle/button and click it to enable the Relative display.
  3. If you don’t see it, open the in‑session HUD or UI menu (the HUD/config icon on screen) and select “HUD Layout” or “Show/Hide Elements” and enable the Relative widget.
  4. If Relative appears offscreen or too small, reset HUD layout to default or drag the widget back into view and save that layout.
  5. If nothing shows, check Options → Sound & Spotter and make sure spotter/relative audio is enabled (some spotter settings tie to the Relative display).
  6. Last resort: exit the session, go to Options → UI/Display and restore default HUD or delete custom HUD config files so iRacing rebuilds the default Relative widget.

Extra tips / checklist

  • Make sure you haven’t globally hidden HUD elements (some drivers toggle the entire HUD off to record clean video).
  • If using multiple monitors, the Relative box can show on a different screen — check all displays and your display arrangement.
  • Third‑party apps (CrewChief, JRT, etc.) can provide gap info; don’t confuse those with the iRacing Relative widget.
  • If the Relative widget shows but gaps are zero or wrong, verify you’re on the same session and connected to the server (ghosted/offline sessions won’t produce live gaps).
  • After changing HUD settings, save the layout so you don’t repeat this every session.

FAQs

Q: Why doesn’t Relative show in practice sessions?
A: It normally does — but practice sessions can hide some overlays depending on settings. Open the Scoring/HUD overlay and enable Relative, or restore the default HUD.

Q: Can I move or resize the Relative box?
A: Yes. While in session, open HUD/Layout, drag the Relative box to where you want it and save the layout.

Q: Relative shows but gaps are wrong — what’s wrong?
A: Check you’re connected to the server and not in a replay or offline mode. Also ensure your pit/spotter settings haven’t muted relative updates.

Q: My third‑party app shows gaps but iRacing Relative does not.
A: Third‑party apps can use different sources. Make sure the iRacing HUD widget is enabled if you want both to show.

Short wrap-up

The Relative display is a HUD widget you can toggle in the session Scoring/HUD menus. If it’s missing, enable it in the overlay, reset the HUD layout, and check spotter/display settings. Next session, enable and save the layout so Relative is always visible.