255/70R16 tire size in inches

A 255/70R16 tire measures

30.1" tall × 10.0" wide

7.03" sidewall on a 16" wheel. 671 revolutions per mile.

255/70R16 means a tire 255 mm wide, with sidewalls 70% as tall as the tire is wide (179 mm), radial construction (R), for a 16 inch wheel.

30.1"16" rim7.0"10.0" wide
255/70R16: 30.1 inches tall, 10.0 inches wide, on a 16 inch rim, drawn to scale

255/70R16 specs

Overall diameter (height)30.06 inches (763 mm)
Section width10.04 inches (255 mm)
Sidewall height7.03 inches (179 mm)
Wheel (rim) diameter16 inches
Circumference94.4 inches (2,398 mm)
Revolutions per mile671
Revolutions per kilometer417
Approximate rim width7.0" to 8.5"
In inches (flotation style)30.1x10.0R16
Aspect ratio70%

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 255/70R16 on a 16" wheel

These 16" sizes are within 3% of 255/70R16's overall diameter, the range most tire shops treat as interchangeable.

SizeDiameterWidthDifferenceReal speed at 60
275/65R1630.07"10.83"+0.1%60.0 mphCompare
225/80R1630.17"8.86"+0.4%60.2 mphCompare
295/60R1629.94"11.61"−0.4%59.8 mphCompare
235/75R1629.88"9.25"−0.6%59.6 mphCompare
215/85R1630.39"8.46"+1.1%60.7 mphCompare
205/85R1629.72"8.07"−1.1%59.3 mphCompare
245/75R1630.47"9.65"+1.4%60.8 mphCompare
265/65R1629.56"10.43"−1.6%59.0 mphCompare
215/80R1629.54"8.46"−1.7%59.0 mphCompare
285/65R1630.59"11.22"+1.8%61.1 mphCompare
265/70R1630.61"10.43"+1.8%61.1 mphCompare
245/70R1629.50"9.65"−1.8%58.9 mphCompare

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

SizeWheelDiameterDifference
225/85R1515"30.06"0.0%Compare
255/75R1515"30.06"0.0%Compare
255/65R1717"30.05"0.0%Compare
255/80R1414"30.06"0.0%Compare
255/60R1818"30.05"0.0%Compare
255/55R1919"30.04"0.0%Compare
255/50R2020"30.04"−0.1%Compare
255/45R2121"30.04"−0.1%Compare
255/40R2222"30.03"−0.1%Compare
235/65R1818"30.03"−0.1%Compare
255/30R2424"30.02"−0.1%Compare
285/45R2020"30.10"+0.1%Compare

One size up or down

Compare 255/70R16 with another size

With 265/70R16 tires, when your speedometer says 60 mph you are really going

61.1 mph

265/70R16 is +0.55 inches (+1.8%) in overall diameter. That is within the 3% most shops and makers allow.

255/70R16265/70R16Difference%
Overall diameter30.06"30.61"+0.55"+1.8%
Section width10.04"10.43"+0.39"+3.9%
Sidewall height7.03"7.30"+0.28"+3.9%
Circumference94.42"96.15"+1.73"+1.8%
Revolutions per mile671.0659.0−12.1−1.8%

Questions

How tall is a 255/70R16 tire?
A 255/70R16 tire is 30.1 inches tall (763 mm), calculated from the size. It is 10.0 inches wide with 7.0 inches sidewalls. Real tires vary by a few tenths of an inch between brands and tread patterns.
What does 255/70R16 mean?
255/70R16 means a tire 255 mm wide, with sidewalls 70% as tall as the tire is wide (179 mm), radial construction (R), for a 16 inch wheel.
How many revolutions per mile does a 255/70R16 tire make?
About 671 revolutions per mile, based on a circumference of 94.4 inches. Under load the tire flattens slightly, so the maker's published figure is usually a little higher.
What rim width fits a 255/70R16 tire?
Roughly 7.0" to 8.5". Check the tire maker's approved rim range for the exact model before buying wheels.
Can I use 275/65R16 instead of 255/70R16?
275/65R16 is +0.02 inches (+0.1%) in overall diameter, so at an indicated 60 mph you would be doing 60.0 mph. Differences under 3% are usually fine, but check clearance, load index and your vehicle's placard.

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