265/65R17 vs 265/70R17 tire size
A 265/70R17 is 1.04 inches (27 mm) taller than a 265/65R17, and the same width. Fit them in place of 265/65R17 tires and the speedometer reads low: at 60 mph on it you’re doing 62.0 mph, 3.4% faster, and the vehicle sits 0.52 inches (13 mm) higher.
Sources checked
| Dimension | 265/65R17 | 265/70R17 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter | 30.56 in (776 mm) | 31.61 in (803 mm) | +1.05 in (+27 mm) |
| Section width | 10.43 in (265 mm) | 10.43 in (265 mm) | 0.00 in (0 mm) |
| Sidewall height | 6.78 in (172 mm) | 7.30 in (186 mm) | +0.52 in (+14 mm) |
| Aspect ratio | 65% | 70% | |
| Rim diameter | 17 in | 17 in | |
| Circumference | 96.0 in (2,439 mm) | 99.3 in (2,522 mm) | +3.3 in |
| Revolutions per mile | 660 | 638 | −22 |
| Revolutions per km | 410 | 396 | −14 |
Check another speed or size
Metric, LT and flotation
At 60 mph on the speedometer you’re doing
62.0mph
+3.4% · the speedometer reads low
- Height
- +1.04 in (+27 mm)
- Width
- 0.00 in (0 mm)
- Ground clearance
- +0.52 in (+13 mm)
- Each side, same wheel
- 0.00 in (0 mm)
265/65R17 and 265/70R17 side by side
| Dimension | 265/65R17 | 265/70R17 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter | 30.56 in (776 mm) | 31.61 in (803 mm) | +1.05 in (+27 mm) |
| Section width | 10.43 in (265 mm) | 10.43 in (265 mm) | 0.00 in (0 mm) |
| Sidewall height | 6.78 in (172 mm) | 7.30 in (186 mm) | +0.52 in (+14 mm) |
| Aspect ratio | 65% | 70% | |
| Rim diameter | 17 in | 17 in | |
| Circumference | 96.0 in | 99.3 in | +3.3 in |
| Revolutions per mile | 660 | 638 | −22 |
| Revolutions per km | 410 | 396 | −14 |
The working
- 265/65R17: sidewall = 265 mm × 65% = 172.3 mm = 6.78 in.
- Diameter = rim + 2 × sidewall = 17 + 2 × 6.78 = 30.56 in (776 mm).
- Circumference = π × 30.56 = 96.0 in; revolutions per mile = 63,360 ÷ 96.0 = 660.
- 265/70R17: sidewall = 265 mm × 70% = 185.5 mm = 7.30 in.
- Diameter = rim + 2 × sidewall = 17 + 2 × 7.30 = 31.61 in (803 mm).
- Circumference = π × 31.61 = 99.3 in; revolutions per mile = 63,360 ÷ 99.3 = 638.
- Speedometer. True speed = what it shows × new diameter ÷ old = 60 × 31.61 ÷ 30.56 = 62.0 mph.
- Ground clearance. Half the change in diameter: (31.61 − 30.56) ÷ 2 = +0.52 in.
Speedometer
A 265/70R17 turns 638 times a mile against the 265/65R17’s 660. With a speedometer set for 265/65R17, true speed is what it shows × 31.61 ÷ 30.56:
| Speedometer shows | True speed | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 25 mph | 25.9 mph | +0.9 mph |
| 35 mph | 36.2 mph | +1.2 mph |
| 45 mph | 46.5 mph | +1.5 mph |
| 55 mph | 56.9 mph | +1.9 mph |
| 65 mph | 67.2 mph | +2.2 mph |
| 75 mph | 77.6 mph | +2.6 mph |
Clearance
- Ground clearance: +0.52 in (+13 mm), half the change in diameter.
- Top of the tread: +0.52 in (+13 mm), so that much less room under the fender.
- Each side, on the same wheel: no change.
A new wheel with a different width or offset moves the tire again. The sidewall goes from 6.78 to 7.30 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 | 265/65R17 | 30.6 in (+0.1%) | 10.7 in | 680 |
| Toyo Open Country A/T III | LT265/65R17 | 30.6 in (+0.1%) | 10.7 in | 680 |
| Toyo Open Country A/T III | 265/70R17 | 31.7 in (+0.3%) | 10.7 in | 656 |
| Toyo Open Country A/T III | LT265/70R17 | 31.7 in (+0.3%) | 10.7 in | 656 |
| Nitto Trail Grappler M/T | LT265/70R17 | 31.97 in (+1.2%) | 11.02 in | – |
Each size on its own
- 265/65R17 tire size: 30.6 × 10.4 in
- 265/70R17 tire size: 31.6 × 10.4 in
Other comparisons
Questions
Can I fit 265/70R17 tires instead of 265/65R17?
They fit the same 17-inch wheels. A 265/70R17 is 1.04 inches (27 mm) taller than a 265/65R17, and the same width, so check three things first: that your wheels are within the 265/70R17’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 265/70R17 tires?
With a speedometer set for 265/65R17, the speedometer reads low: at 60 mph on it you’re doing 62.0 mph, 3.4% faster. The odometer is off the same way: over 1,000 miles driven it shows 967.0.
Does 265/70R17 change the ground clearance?
By +0.52 inches (+13 mm), half the change in diameter, at the axles and at the lowest point under them. The width doesn’t change.
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.