What size are 255 tires


What Do the Numbers on My Tires Mean?

Tires June 14, 2021

Being able to quickly glance at the sidewall of your tire and determine the tire size your specific vehicle needs can save you time, trouble and money. Even still, not many people know how to actually read a tire size even though it’s printed right there on the sidewall. As a mix of letters and numbers, it’s not as easy to read as finding a size 9 shoe. 

Why Tire Size Matters 

Other than the fact that tires need to physically fit on your vehicle, there are several reasons why having the correct tire size is necessary.  

Your tires support the entire weight of your vehicle and are the only parts of your car that actually make contact with the road. Making sure that you select the proper tire size when it’s time to shop for new tires is critical to the health of your tires and vehicle.

A tire’s job is to carry your vehicle and guide it where it needs to go, so when a tire is too large or too small, not only is performance hindered but your safety is also put at risk. Your tires need to be wide, strong and thick enough to carry the weight of your vehicle while still being able to turn and move. Scratching along the sides or getting caught while trying to turn could cause serious damage to your tires, forcing you to replace them much sooner than you’d otherwise need.  

What Do the Numbers on My Tires Mean?

Looking at tire size for the first time can feel like reading a foreign language, but once you learn how to break down what each section of the tire size means, you’ll find they’re not all that complicated.

Tire Type 

Tire type refers to the service or type of vehicle that the tire was designed for. “P” stands for “passenger” and is the most common type of tire. “LT” (light trucks that carry heavy loads) is another common tire type designation that you’ll likely run into. Other tire types include “T” (temporary), “ST” (trailer) and “C” (commercial). If there is no letter, that usually indicates that the tire was manufactured in Europe for European cars. These types of tires are called metric or Euro-metric tires and are similar in many ways to a passenger tire.

Tire Width 

Measured in millimeters, this is the distance from sidewall to sidewall across the width of your tire.

Aspect Ratio/Profile 

Aspect ratio refers to the relationship between the tire’s sidewall height and the tire’s width in the form of a percentage. Sidewall height can be determined by measuring the distance between the edge of the rim and the top of the tire at the edge of the tread. Aspect ratio translates to how well your vehicle can handle the tire. The higher the aspect ratio, the longer it takes for your tire to respond to a turning command, making lower aspect tires often easier to command.

Construction Type 

This refers to how the tire was constructed. Typically, you’ll only see “R” for “radial tire” since that is the most common type of tire produced nowadays. Radial tires are constructed by assembling piles perpendicular to the direction that they travel, allowing for a smoother ride, longer tread life and reduced fuel production.

Wheel Size/Rim Diameter 

Measured across the center of the tire from one end to the other, wheel size refers to the diameter of your wheel and is typically measured in inches. Overall wheel size is often indicated by the rim diameter as a shorthand for what size tire your vehicle needs.

Load Index 

Load index is a shorthand way of describing the total weight that the tire can handle when it is fully inflated. The higher the load index rating, the more weight the tire can carry. You need a tire load index rating chart to see how your load index rating correlates to the weight the tire can carry.  For example, a load index of 81 means that the tire can carry up to 1,019 pounds. Load index ratings for the average vehicle range from 75-100, but some tires can range all the way up to 150, which equates to 7,385 pounds.

Speed Rating 

Like load index, speed rating is another shorthand way to reference how fast the tire is designed to go. It is indicated by a letter that corresponds to the maximum speed of the tire. For example, a speed rating of “T” means that the tire is designed to go up to 118 miles per hour.

Read: A Guide to Tire Load Index & Speed Ratings

How to Read Tire Sizes

Breaking down a tire size measurement into its individual parts makes it easy to read once you’re in the know. Now that you know what each element of tire size means, we can walk through an example of how to read a tire size off of a sidewall.

Example: P255/45R18 103H

P (Tire Type): This tire is a passenger tire, one of the most common types of tires.

255 (Tire Width): The tire width is 255 millimeters from sidewall to sidewall (just over ten inches).  

45 (Aspect Ratio): The tire’s sidewall is 45% of the tire’s width, which means the sidewall is about 114 millimeters or just over 4 inches.

R (Construction Type): Radial tire, the most common type of tire produced today.

18 (Wheel Size/Rim Diameter): Going from edge to edge, the tire’s diameter is 18 inches across.

103 (Load Index): A load index of 103 means this tire can carry up to 1,929 lbs.

H (Speed Rating): A speed rating of “H” means that this tire is designed to withstand speeds up to 130 miles per hour.

In summary, a P255/45R18 103H tire would be a passenger tire with a width of 255 millimeters, a thickness or aspect ratio equal to 45% of the tire height which here is 114 millimeters. It is also a radially constructed tire with a diameter of 18 inches that can carry up to 1,929 pounds and can go up to 130 mph.

We’ll Help You Decode All Your Tire Needs

If reading tire sizes still seems like a mystery, drop by your local Virginia Tire & Auto and let our tire experts walk you through the process. We’ll help you find the exact tire your vehicle needs. Schedule an appointment online or call 855.425.3677 to talk to a tire expert.

Helpful Tire Info - BUDNIK

Our chart shows the overall section width, the outside diameter, the sidewall height and the recommended rim width range.

If your car requires something unique, start with picking the tire for the end of the car that is the most difficult.

If you’ve mini-tubbed the rear for example, and are going to run a big tire with less brand/tread/size choices, start by figuring out that size and what your options are. Then see if the those tire manufacturers also make a matching tire for your front.

We’ve included the sidewall height of the tire as a quick way to make sure your front tire doesn’t have a taller sidewall than your rear tire when doing staggered sizes. That’s usually not a good look.

There is a recommended rim width range for any given tire size with the ideal width usually around the middle of that spread. Some things to consider are how much sidewall bulge you want to see and most importantly, how wheel width affects the tires ride, handling and wear characteristics.

For grip and even wear the wheel width needs to allow for a good contact patch where the tread meets the pavement.

A wider wheel tends to make the tire more responsive to steering inputs but also taken to extremes can make the ride harsh because the sidewall doesn’t flex as easily.

A narrower wheel can give up some of that responsive handling and will tend to give a softer ride because the sidewall has more curve that flexes more easily.

Budnik Tire Chart     
      
      
SIZEOverall DiameterOverall (section) WidthSidewall HeightApprox Rim WidthsNitto Tires
205/40-1723.58.13.37.0-7.5NT01
205/45-1724.38.13.67 
205/50-1725. 18.147 
215/35-1722.98.537.0-8.5 
215/40-1723.88.53.47.0-8.5 
215/45-1724.78.53.87.0-8.0 
225/35-1723.28.93.17.5-9.0 
225/40-1724.18.93.57.5-9.0 
225/45-17258.947.0-8.5 
225/50-1725.98.94.46.0-8.0 
235/40-1724.49.33.78.0-9.5NT05,NT01
235/45-1725.39.34.27.5-9.0NT555, INVO
235/50-1726.39.34.66.5-8.5 
245/35-1723.89. 63.48.0-9.5 
245/40-1724.79.63.98.0-9.5INVO
245/45-1725.79.64.37.5-9.0INVO, NT01
245/50-1726.79.64.97.0-8.5 
255/40-17251048.5-10.0NT05,NT555,NT01
255/45-1726104.58.0-9.5 
265/40-1725.310.44.29.0-10.0 
275/40-1725.710.84.49.0-11.0 
275/50-1727.810.85.47.5-9.5 
285/40-172611.24.59.5-11.0NT555
315/35-1725.712.44.311.0-12.0NT05,NT555,NT01
      
18″Overall DiameterOverall (section) WidthSidewall HeightApprox Rim Widths 
205/40-1824. 58.13.27.0-8.0 
215/35-1823.98.537.0-8.5 
215/40-1824.88.53.47.0-8.5 
215/45-1825.68.53.87.0-8.0 
225/35-1824.28.93.17.5-9.0 
225/40-1825.18.93.67.5-9.0NT05,NT555,NT01
225/45-18268.947.0-8.5NT555, INVO
235/35-1824.59.33.29.0-9.5 
235/40-1825.49.33.78.0-9.5NT05, NT555, NT01
235/45-1826.39.34.27.5-9.0 
245/35-1824.89.63.48.0-9.5 
245/40-1825. 79.63.98.0-9.5NT05,NT555,INVO,NT01
245/45-1826.79.64.47.5-9.0NT555, INVO
245/50-1827.69.64.87.0-8.5 
255/35-1825103.58.5-10.0NT05, NT555
255/40-18261048.5-10.0 
255/45-1827104.58.0-9.5 
265/35-1825.310.43.79.0-10.0NT05, NT555, INVO
265/40-1826.310.44.29.0-10.0 
275/35-1826.710.83.89.0-11.0NT555, INVO,NT01
275/45-1826.710.84.98.5-10.5 
285/35-1825.911.23.99. 5-11.0NT05, NT555
295/35-1826.111.64.110.0-12.0NT05. INVO
315/30-1825.412.43.711.0-12.0NT05,NT01
335/30-1825.913.2412.0-13.0 
345/30-1826.113.64.112.0-14.0 
      
19″Overall DiameterOverall (section) WidthSidewall HeightApprox Rim Widths 
225/40-1926.18.93.57.0-9.0NT05, INVO
235/35-1925.59.33.28.0-9.5NT05, NT555,NT01
235/40-1926.49.33.78.0-9.5 
245/35-1925.89.63.48.0-9.5NT05, NT555, INVO
245/40-1926. 79.63.98.0-9.5NT05, INVO
245/45-1927.79.64.37.5-9.0 
255/30-19251038.5-9.5INVO
255/35-1926103.58.5-10.0INVO
255/40-19271048.5-10.0NT05, INVO
265/35-1926.310.43.79.0-10.5 
275/35-1926.610.83.89.0-11.0INVO
275/40-1927.710.84.39.0-11.0 
285/30-1925.711.23.49.5-10.5INVO
285/35-1926.911.23.99.5-11.0INVO
285/40-192811.24.59.5-11.0 
295/35-1927. 111.64.110.0-12.0INVO
305/30-1926.2123.610.5-11.5NT05,NT01
305/35-1927.4124.210.5-11.5 
315/40-1928.912.4511.0-12.0INVO
325/30-1926.712.83.812.0-13.0INVO
345/30-1927.113.64.112.0-14.0INVO
345/35-1928.513.64.811.0-13.5 
      
20″Overall DiameterOverall (section) WidthSidewall HeightApprox Rim Widths 
225/35-2026.28.93.17.5-9.0NT555
235/30-2025.69.32.88. 5INVO
235/35-2026.59.33.28.0-9.5 
235/45-2028.39.34.27.5-9.0 
235/55-2030.29.35.16.5-8.5 
245/30-2025.89.62.98.0-9.0NT555, INVO
245/35-2026.89.63.48.0-9.5NT555, INVO
245/40-2027.79.63.98.0-9.5NT555, INVO
245/45-2028.79.64.37.5-9.0INVO
245/50-2029.69.64.87.0-8.5 
255/30-20261038.5-9.5INVO
255/35-2027103.58.5-10NT05, NT555, INVO
255/40-20281048. 5-10NT01
255/45-2029104.58.0-9.5NT05, INVO
255/50-20301057.0-9.0 
255/55-2031105.57.0-9.0 
265/30-2026.310.43.19.0-10.0 
265/35-2027.310.43.79-10.5NT555
265/40-2028.310.44.29.0-10.5 
265/45-2029.410.44.78.5-10.0 
275/30-2026.510.83.29.0-10.0NT555, INVO
275/35-2027.610.83.99.0-11.0NT05, NT555, INVO
275/40-2028.710.84.39.0-11.0INVO
275/45-2029.710. 84.98.5-10.0 
285/30-2026.711.23.49.5-10.5NT555, INVO
285/35-2027.911.23.99.5-11.0NT01
285/40-202911.24.59.5-11.0 
285/45-2030.111.259.0-10.5 
295/30-202711.63.510.0-11.0 
295/35-2028.111.64.110.0-11.5INVO
295/40-2029.311.64.610.0-12.0 
295/45-2030.511.65.29.5-11.0 
295/50-2031.611.65.88.0-10.5 
305/35-2028.4124.210.0-12.0 
305/40-2029. 6124.810.0-12.0 
315/35-2028.712.44.310.5-12.5NT05, INVO
335/25-2026.613.2412.0-13.00 
335/30-2027.913.2411.5-12.5 
345/25-2026.813.63.412.0-13.0INVO
      
LT TRUCKOverall DiameterOverall (section) WidthSidewall HeightApprox Rim Widths 
265/60-2032.510.46.37.5-9.5TERRA
275/60-203310.86.57.5-9.5TERRA
285/55-6032.311.26.28.0-10.0TERRA
285/60-2033.511.26.78. 0-10.0 
305/55-2033.2126.68.5-11.0TERRA
      
22″Overall DiameterOverall (section) WidthSidewall HeightApprox Rim Widths 
235/30-2227.69.32.88.5 
245/30-2227.89.62.98.0-9.0NT555, INVO
255/30-22281038.0-8.5NT555, INVO
255/35-2229103.58.5-10INVO
265/30-2228.310.43.19.0-10.0INVO
265/35-2229.310.43.79.0-10.5420S
265/40-2230.310.44.29.0-10.5420S, NT555
265/45-2231. 410.44.78.5-10.0 
275/30-2228.510.83.29.0-10.0INVO
275/40-2230.710.84.39.0-11.0420S
275/45-2231.710.84.98.5-10.0420S
285/30-2228.711.23.49.5-10.5INVO
285/35-2229.911.23.99.5-11.0420S, NT555
285/40-223111.24.59.5-11.0420S
285/45-2232.111.259.0-11.0 
295/30-222911.63.510.0-11.0 
295/45-2232.511.65.29.5-11.0 
305/35-2230.4124.210.5-11.5 
305/40-2231. 6124.810.0-12.0 
305/45-2232.8125.49.0-1.0 
315/25-2228.212.43.111.0-12.0 
335/25-2228.510.83.211.5-12.5 
335/30-2228.713.73.312.0-13.0 

255/65 R17 vs 265/65 R17 Tire size comparison with graphical visualization

00 2222.52324

Your machine size

/ 25303540455055606570758085 R 121314151617181

Calculate

00 2222. 52324
135145155165175185195205215225235245255265275285295305315325335345355365375385395 / 25303540455055606570758085 R 121314151617181

New tire size

CM INCHES


Index Old New Difference
Diameter - - -
Width - - -
Circumference - - -
Profile height - - -
RPM - - -
Clearance change -
Result: -

With speedometer:

Real speed will be:

Comparison of tire sizes 255/65 R17 and 265/65 R17.

In the table above you can see a detailed comparison of the difference in dimensions, parameters and performance between a 255/65 R17 tire and a 265/65 R17 tire. The results of the calculations are also presented in the form of visual models (infographics), on which the tire with a size of 255/65 R17 is on top, and with a size of 265/65 R17, respectively, at the bottom. The visualization was generated in two projections: lateral (left) and frontal (right). The online calculator compares tires according to the following characteristics: diameter, width, circumference, profile height, revolutions per km, ground clearance change. Additionally, a potential deviation between the actual speed and the speed displayed on the speedometer is calculated, which can occur if the difference between tires 255/65 R17 and 265/65 R17 is significant.

If you want to compare other tyres, just select the required parameters in the drop-down fields and click on the green button.

Infographic

Side Comparison Frontal comparison

The issue of selecting tires for wheels has always been relevant for motorists, since every self-respecting driver needs to know certain parameters. If the characteristics are not known and these parameters are not followed, the car will experience a significant deterioration in performance, which seriously threatens safety.

In order to match rubber to the wheels as accurately as possible, you should first study the marking of the wheels:

Marking of the wheel with dimensional indicators R13 4x98 ET35 J5 D58.6

It is the latter that plays a major role in matching tires and wheels. In order to choose the right wheels for tires on passenger cars, you can use the table compiled by the specialists of Avtotire Kom. Or you can use the selection of wheels for the car by clicking on the link .

Tire and wheel matching table

Wheel diameter Tire size Wheel rim width (inches)
Minimum Recommended Maximum
13" 135/80R13 3. 5 3.5 4.5
145/80R13 3.5 4 5
155/80R13 3 4.5 5
165/80R13 4 4.5 5.5
165R13 4.5 5 6
14" 175/80R14 4.5 5 6
185/80R14 4.5 5 6
13" 135/70R13 3.5 4 4. 5
145/70R13 3.5 4.5 5
155/70R13 4 4.5 5
165/70R13 4 5 5.5
175/70R13 4.5 5 6
185/70R13 4.5 5.5 6
14" 165/70R14 4 5 5.5
175/70R14 4.5 5 6
185/70R14 4. 5 5.5 6
195/70R14 5 6 6.5
13" 155/65R13 4.5 4.5 5.5
165/65R13 4.5 5 6
175/65R13 5 5 6
14" 155/65R14 4.5 4.5 5.5
165/65R14 4.5 5 6
175/65R14 5 5 6
185/65R14 5 5. 5 6.5
195/65R14 5.5 6 7
15" 145/65R15 4 4.5 5
155/65R15 4.5 4.5 5
165/65R15 4.5 5 6
175/65R15 5 5 6
185/65R15 5 5.5 6.5
195/65R15 5.5 6 7
205/65R15 5. 5 6 7.5
215/65R15 6 6.5 7.5
16" 215/65R16 6 6.5 7.5
17" 235/65R17 6.5 7 8.5
18" 235/65R18 6.5 7 8.5
14" 165/60R14 4.5 5 6
175/60R14 5 5 6
185/60R14 5 5. 5 6.5
195/60R14 5.5 6 7
15" 175/60R15 5 5 6
185/60R15 5 5.5 6.5
195/60R15 5.5 6 7
205/60R15 5.5 6 7.5
225/60R15 6 6.5 8
16" 205/60R16 5.5 6 7. 5
215/60R16 6 6.5 7.5
225/60R16 6 6.5 8
235/60R16 6.5 7 8.5
17" 225/60R17 6 6.5 8
14" 185/55R14 5 6 6.5
15" 175/55R15 5 5.5 6
185/55R15 5 6 6. 5
195/55R15 5.5 6 7
205/55R15 5.5 6.5 7.5
225/55R15 6 7 8
16" 195/55R16 5.5 6 7
205/55R16 5.5 6.5 7.5
215/55R16 6 7 7.5
225/55R16 6 7 8
245/55R16 7 7. 5 8.5
17" 205/55R17 5.5 6.5 7.5
215/55R17 6 7 7.5
225/55R17 6 7 8
235/55R17 6.5 7.5 8.5
245/55R17 7 7.5 8.5
255/55R17 7 8 9
15" 195/50R15 5.5 6 7
205/50R15 5. 5 6.5 7.5
225/50R15 6 7 8
16" 185/50R16 5 6 6.5
195/50R16 5.5 6 7
205/50R16 5.5 6.5 7.5
215/50R16 6 7 7.5
225/50R16 6 7 8
235/50R16 6.5 7.5 8.5
245/50R16 7 7. 5 8.5
255/50R16 7 8 9
17" 205/50R17 5.5 6.5 7.5
215/50R17 6 7 7.5
225/50R17 6 7 8
235/50R17 6.5 7.5 8.5
18" 235/50R18 6.5 7.5 8.5
245/50R18 7 7.5 8. 5
19" 275/50R19 7.5 8.5 9.5
15" 195/45R15 6 6.5 7.5
16" 195/45R16 6 6.5 7.5
205/45R16 6.5 7 7.5
215/45R16 7 7 8
225/45R16 7 7.5 8.5
245/45R16 7. 5 8 9
17" 205/45R17 6.5 7 7.5
215/45R17 7 7 8
225/45R17 7 7.5 8.5
235/45R17 7.5 8 9
245/45R17 7.5 8 9
255/45R17 8 8.5 9.5
18" 215/45R18 7 7 8
225/45R18 7 7. 5 8.5
235/45R18 7.5 8 9
245/45R18 7.5 8 9
255/45R18 8 8.5 9.5
275/45R18 8.5 9 10.5
19" 245/45R19 7.5 8 9
20" 275/45R20 8.5 9 10.5
16" 215/40R16 7 7. 5 8.5
17" 205/40R17 7 7.5 8
215/40R17 7 7.5 8.5
235/40R17 8 8.5 9.5
245/40R17 8 8.5 9.5
255/40R17 8.5 9 10
265/40R17 9 9.5 10.5
275/40R17 9 9.5 11
285/40R17 9 10 11
18" 205/40R18 7 7. 5 8
225/40R18 7.5 8 9
235/40R18 8 8.5 9.5
245/40R18 8 8.5 9.5
255/40R18 8.5 9 10
265/40R18 9 9.5 10.5
275/40R18 9 9.5 11
285/40R18 9.5 10 11
19" 225/40R19 7. 5 8 9
245/40R19 8 8.5 9.5
255/40R19 8.5 9 10
275/40R19 9 9.5 11
20" 245/40R20 8 8.5 9.5
17" 225/35R17 7.5 8 9
265/35R17 9 9.5 10.5
335/35R17 11 12 13
18" 215/35R18 7 7. 5 8.5
225/35R18 7.5 8 9
235/35R18 8 8.5 9.5
255/35R18 8.5 9 10
265/35R18 9 9.5 10.5
275/35R18 9 9.5 11
285/35R18 9.5 10 11
295/35R18 10 10.5 11.5
345/35R18 11. 5 12 13.5
19" 225/35R19 7.5 8 9
235/35R19 8 8.5 9.5
245/35R19 8 8.5 9.5
255/35R19 8.5 9 10
265/35R19 9 9.5 10.5
275/35R19 9 9.5 11
285/35R19 9.5 10 11
295/35R19 10 10. 5 11.5
20" 245/35R20 8 8.5 9.5
255/35R20 8.5 9 10
275/35R20 9 9.5 11
21" 245/35R21 8 8.5 9.5
255/35R21 8.5 9 10
18" 285/30R18 9.5 10 10.5
295/30R18 10 10. 5 11
315/30R18 10.5 11 11.5
335/30R18 11.5 12 12.5
345/30R18 11.5 12 12.5
19" 265/30R19 9 9.5 10
275/30R19 9 9.5 10
285/30R19 9.5 10 10.5
295/30R19 10 10.5 11
305/30R19 10. 5 11 11.5
345/30R19 11.5 12 12.5
20" 235/30R20 8.5 8.5 9.5
245/30R20 8.5 8.5 9.5
255/30R20 9 9 10
285/30R20 10 10 11
335/30R20 12 12 13
21" 255/30R21 9 9 10
285/30R21 10 10 11
295/30R21 10 10. 5 11
22" 255/30R22 9 9 10
19" 315/25R19 11 11.5 12
20" 285/25R20 10.5
295/25R20 10 10.5 11
325/25R20 11.5 12 12.5
21" 295/25R21 10 10.5 11
22" 295/25R22 10 10. 5 11

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