QuickCheckToolsTire size calculator › 245/70R16 vs 255/70R16
245/70R16 vs 255/70R16
255/70R16 is 0.6 inches (1.9%) taller than 245/70R16 and 0.4 inches wider. Ground clearance changes by about 0.3 inches, and at an indicated 60 mph you would actually be doing 61.1 mph.
255/70R16 is 1.9% taller
That's within the usual 3% guideline for replacing a tire size.
| 245/70R16 | 255/70R16 | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter | 29.5 in | 30.1 in | +0.6 in |
| Width | 9.6 in | 10.0 in | +0.4 in |
| Sidewall height | 6.8 in | 7.0 in | +0.3 in |
| Circumference | 92.7 in | 94.4 in | +1.7 in |
| Revolutions per mile | 684 | 671 | -13 |
Speedometer with 255/70R16 fitted (calibrated for 245/70R16)
| Speedometer shows | Actual speed |
|---|---|
| 20 mph | 20.4 mph |
| 30 mph | 30.6 mph |
| 40 mph | 40.7 mph |
| 50 mph | 50.9 mph |
| 60 mph | 61.1 mph |
| 70 mph | 71.3 mph |
| 80 mph | 81.5 mph |
Open this comparison in the calculator
What the difference means
Diameter is what matters most. A taller tire raises the vehicle by half the difference, here about 0.3 inches, and covers more ground per turn, so the speedometer reads lower than your real speed. Width changes how much tread meets the road and whether the tire clears suspension parts and wheel arches.
These are design dimensions calculated from the sizes. Actual tires vary slightly by brand and model, so check fitment for your vehicle before buying.