235/45R15 tire size in inches

A 235/45R15 tire measures

23.3" tall × 9.3" wide

4.16" sidewall on a 15" wheel. 865 revolutions per mile.

235/45R15 means a tire 235 mm wide, with sidewalls 45% as tall as the tire is wide (106 mm), radial construction (R), for a 15 inch wheel.

23.3"15" rim4.2"9.3" wide
235/45R15: 23.3 inches tall, 9.3 inches wide, on a 15 inch rim, drawn to scale

235/45R15 specs

Overall diameter (height)23.33 inches (593 mm)
Section width9.25 inches (235 mm)
Sidewall height4.16 inches (106 mm)
Wheel (rim) diameter15 inches
Circumference73.3 inches (1,861 mm)
Revolutions per mile865
Revolutions per kilometer537
Approximate rim width7.5" to 9.0"
In inches (flotation style)23.3x9.3R15
Aspect ratio45%

Calculated from the size. Real tires differ by brand, model and tread depth, typically by a few tenths of an inch.

Sizes that can replace 235/45R15 on a 15" wheel

These 15" sizes are within 3% of 235/45R15's overall diameter, the range most tire shops treat as interchangeable.

SizeDiameterWidthDifferenceReal speed at 60
175/60R1523.27"6.89"−0.3%59.8 mphCompare
165/65R1523.44"6.50"+0.5%60.3 mphCompare
195/55R1523.44"7.68"+0.5%60.3 mphCompare
215/50R1523.46"8.46"+0.6%60.4 mphCompare
205/50R1523.07"8.07"−1.1%59.3 mphCompare
185/55R1523.01"7.28"−1.4%59.2 mphCompare
225/45R1522.97"8.86"−1.5%59.1 mphCompare
245/45R1523.68"9.65"+1.5%60.9 mphCompare
185/60R1523.74"7.28"+1.8%61.1 mphCompare
165/60R1522.80"6.50"−2.3%58.6 mphCompare
225/50R1523.86"8.86"+2.3%61.4 mphCompare
205/55R1523.88"8.07"+2.4%61.4 mphCompare

Same height on other wheel sizes (plus and minus sizing)

SizeWheelDiameterDifference
175/75R1313"23.33"0.0%Compare
215/55R1414"23.31"−0.1%Compare
185/50R1616"23.28"−0.2%Compare
155/85R1313"23.37"+0.2%Compare
195/35R1818"23.37"+0.2%Compare
205/45R1616"23.26"−0.3%Compare
165/80R1313"23.39"+0.3%Compare
235/40R1616"23.40"+0.3%Compare
215/25R1919"23.23"−0.4%Compare
225/25R1919"23.43"+0.4%Compare
195/60R1414"23.21"−0.5%Compare
225/35R1717"23.20"−0.5%Compare

One size up or down

Compare 235/45R15 with another size

With 245/45R15 tires, when your speedometer says 60 mph you are really going

60.9 mph

245/45R15 is +0.35 inches (+1.5%) in overall diameter. That is within the 3% most shops and makers allow.

235/45R15245/45R15Difference%
Overall diameter23.33"23.68"+0.35"+1.5%
Section width9.25"9.65"+0.39"+4.3%
Sidewall height4.16"4.34"+0.18"+4.3%
Circumference73.28"74.40"+1.11"+1.5%
Revolutions per mile864.6851.7−12.9−1.5%

Questions

How tall is a 235/45R15 tire?
A 235/45R15 tire is 23.3 inches tall (593 mm), calculated from the size. It is 9.3 inches wide with 4.2 inches sidewalls. Real tires vary by a few tenths of an inch between brands and tread patterns.
What does 235/45R15 mean?
235/45R15 means a tire 235 mm wide, with sidewalls 45% as tall as the tire is wide (106 mm), radial construction (R), for a 15 inch wheel.
How many revolutions per mile does a 235/45R15 tire make?
About 865 revolutions per mile, based on a circumference of 73.3 inches. Under load the tire flattens slightly, so the maker's published figure is usually a little higher.
What rim width fits a 235/45R15 tire?
Roughly 7.5" to 9.0". Check the tire maker's approved rim range for the exact model before buying wheels.
Can I use 175/60R15 instead of 235/45R15?
175/60R15 is −0.06 inches (−0.3%) in overall diameter, so at an indicated 60 mph you would be doing 59.8 mph. Differences under 3% are usually fine, but check clearance, load index and your vehicle's placard.

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