235/70R16 vs 245/70R16 tire size
A 245/70R16 is 0.55 inches (14 mm) taller and 0.39 inches (10 mm) wider than a 235/70R16. Fit them in place of 235/70R16 tires and the speedometer reads low: at 60 mph on it you’re doing 61.1 mph, 1.9% faster, and the vehicle sits 0.28 inches (7 mm) higher.
Sources checked
| Dimension | 235/70R16 | 245/70R16 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter | 28.95 in (735 mm) | 29.50 in (749 mm) | +0.55 in (+14 mm) |
| Section width | 9.25 in (235 mm) | 9.65 in (245 mm) | +0.40 in (+10 mm) |
| Sidewall height | 6.48 in (165 mm) | 6.75 in (172 mm) | +0.27 in (+7 mm) |
| Aspect ratio | 70% | 70% | |
| Rim diameter | 16 in | 16 in | |
| Circumference | 91.0 in (2,310 mm) | 92.7 in (2,354 mm) | +1.7 in |
| Revolutions per mile | 697 | 684 | −13 |
| Revolutions per km | 433 | 425 | −8 |
Check another speed or size
Metric, LT and flotation
At 60 mph on the speedometer you’re doing
61.1mph
+1.9% · the speedometer reads low
- Height
- +0.55 in (+14 mm)
- Width
- +0.39 in (+10 mm)
- Ground clearance
- +0.28 in (+7 mm)
- Each side, same wheel
- +0.20 in (+5 mm)
235/70R16 and 245/70R16 side by side
| Dimension | 235/70R16 | 245/70R16 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter | 28.95 in (735 mm) | 29.50 in (749 mm) | +0.55 in (+14 mm) |
| Section width | 9.25 in (235 mm) | 9.65 in (245 mm) | +0.40 in (+10 mm) |
| Sidewall height | 6.48 in (165 mm) | 6.75 in (172 mm) | +0.27 in (+7 mm) |
| Aspect ratio | 70% | 70% | |
| Rim diameter | 16 in | 16 in | |
| Circumference | 91.0 in | 92.7 in | +1.7 in |
| Revolutions per mile | 697 | 684 | −13 |
| Revolutions per km | 433 | 425 | −8 |
The working
- 235/70R16: sidewall = 235 mm × 70% = 164.5 mm = 6.48 in.
- Diameter = rim + 2 × sidewall = 16 + 2 × 6.48 = 28.95 in (735 mm).
- Circumference = π × 28.95 = 91.0 in; revolutions per mile = 63,360 ÷ 91.0 = 697.
- 245/70R16: sidewall = 245 mm × 70% = 171.5 mm = 6.75 in.
- Diameter = rim + 2 × sidewall = 16 + 2 × 6.75 = 29.50 in (749 mm).
- Circumference = π × 29.50 = 92.7 in; revolutions per mile = 63,360 ÷ 92.7 = 684.
- Speedometer. True speed = what it shows × new diameter ÷ old = 60 × 29.50 ÷ 28.95 = 61.1 mph.
- Ground clearance. Half the change in diameter: (29.50 − 28.95) ÷ 2 = +0.28 in.
Speedometer
A 245/70R16 turns 684 times a mile against the 235/70R16’s 697. With a speedometer set for 235/70R16, true speed is what it shows × 29.50 ÷ 28.95:
| Speedometer shows | True speed | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 25 mph | 25.5 mph | +0.5 mph |
| 35 mph | 35.7 mph | +0.7 mph |
| 45 mph | 45.9 mph | +0.9 mph |
| 55 mph | 56.0 mph | +1.0 mph |
| 65 mph | 66.2 mph | +1.2 mph |
| 75 mph | 76.4 mph | +1.4 mph |
Clearance
- Ground clearance: +0.28 in (+7 mm), half the change in diameter.
- Top of the tread: +0.28 in (+7 mm), so that much less room under the fender.
- Each side, on the same wheel: +0.20 in (+5 mm), toward the suspension inside and toward the fender lip outside.
A new wheel with a different width or offset moves the tire again. The sidewall goes from 6.48 to 6.75 inches.
What tire makers publish
Inflated on the maker’s measuring rim; the percentage is against the arithmetic.
| Tire | Size as printed | Diameter | Width | Revs per mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyo Open Country A/T III | 235/70R16 | 29 in (+0.2%) | 9.4 in | 717 |
| Toyo Open Country A/T III | P245/70R16 | 29.5 in (0.0%) | 9.8 in | 704 |
Each size on its own
- 235/70R16 tire size: 29.0 × 9.3 in
- 245/70R16 tire size: 29.5 × 9.6 in
Other comparisons
Questions
Can I fit 245/70R16 tires instead of 235/70R16?
They fit the same 16-inch wheels. A 245/70R16 is 0.55 inches (14 mm) taller and 0.39 inches (10 mm) wider than a 235/70R16, so check three things first: that your wheels are within the 245/70R16’s approved rim width range, which tire makers list for each size; that it clears the fenders and suspension at full lock and full travel; and that its load index meets what your door-jamb placard asks for.
How far off is the speedometer with 245/70R16 tires?
With a speedometer set for 235/70R16, the speedometer reads low: at 60 mph on it you’re doing 61.1 mph, 1.9% faster. The odometer is off the same way: over 1,000 miles driven it shows 981.3.
Does 245/70R16 change the ground clearance?
By +0.28 inches (+7 mm), half the change in diameter, at the axles and at the lowest point under them. On the same wheel, each sidewall sits 0.20 inches further out, inside and outside.
Sources
- Bridgestone Americas: Determining tire size: P-metric, Euro-metric, LT-metric, C-type and flotation sizes, and what each number means (checked October 28, 2026)
- Toyo Tires: Extensa A/S II sizes and specifications: inflated overall diameter and width, revolutions per mile (checked October 28, 2026)
- Toyo Tires: Proxes Sport A/S sizes and specifications: inflated overall diameter and width, revolutions per mile (checked October 28, 2026)
- Toyo Tires: Open Country A/T III sizes and specifications: P-metric, LT-metric and flotation sizes, with revolutions per mile (checked October 28, 2026)
- Nitto Tire: Trail Grappler M/T sizes and specs: inflated overall diameter and width, LT-metric and flotation sizes (checked October 28, 2026)
Spotted a number that doesn’t match your manual or a source? Tell us; corrections are logged on the sources page.