17-inch rim · tyre size comparison
255/65 R17 vs 265/70 R17
265/70 R17 is 39.5 mm (1.56 in) taller than 255/65 R17, a +5.17% difference in overall diameter. That is outside the ±3% limit commonly used to screen a tire size change, so expect a noticeable speedometer error; it is a nominal calculation, not a fitment approval.
- Diameter difference
- +39.5 mm
- +1.56 in · +5.17%
- Indicated 70 mph
- 73.6 mph
- Actual speed on 265/70 R17, if the speedometer was accurate on 255/65 R17.
- Sidewall height
- +19.75 mm
- 165.75 mm to 185.5 mm.
Dimensions side by side
| Measurement | 255/65 R17 | 265/70 R17 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter | 763.3 mm30.05 in | 802.8 mm31.61 in | +39.5 mm (+5.17%)+1.56 in |
| Section width | 255 mm10.04 in | 265 mm10.43 in | +10 mm+0.39 in |
| Sidewall height | 165.75 mm6.53 in | 185.5 mm7.3 in | +19.75 mm+0.78 in |
| Circumference | 2,397.98 mm94.41 in | 2,522.07 mm99.29 in | +124.09 mm+4.89 in |
| Rim diameter | 431.8 mm17 in | 431.8 mm17 in | 0 mm0 in |
| Revolutions per mile | 671.13 | 638.1 | -33.02 |
| Revolutions per km | 417.02 | 396.5 | -20.52 |
Calculated from the nominal size codes, without load or tread wear. Real tyres vary by model, rim width and pressure, so the exact tyre's published dimensions take priority.
Speedometer with 265/70 R17
If the speedometer was accurate on 255/65 R17, fitting 265/70 R17 means the car is travelling 5.17% faster than it shows, and the odometer under-records distance by about the same amount.
| Speedometer shows | Actual on 265/70 R17 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 31.55 mph | +1.55 mph |
| 50 mph | 52.59 mph | +2.59 mph |
| 60 mph | 63.1 mph | +3.1 mph |
| 70 mph | 73.62 mph | +3.62 mph |
| 50 km/h | 52.59 km/h | +2.59 km/h |
| 100 km/h | 105.17 km/h | +5.17 km/h |
UN ECE Regulation 39, used in the UK and EU, does not allow a speedometer to show less than the true speed, so many read slightly high from the factory. A taller tyre uses up some of that margin. Calibration varies by car; these figures are the tyre-size effect only.
What changes from 255/65 R17 to 265/70 R17
Wheels
Both fit 17-inch wheels. Our rim-width starting estimate is 7 to 8 inches for 255/65 R17 and 7.5 to 8.5 inches for 265/70 R17, so a 7.5 to 8-inch wheel sits in both ranges. The exact tyre's approved rim range takes priority.
Sidewall and ride comfort
265/70 R17 has 19.75 mm more sidewall (185.5 vs 165.75 mm). A taller sidewall usually rides noticeably softer and gives the rim more protection from potholes and kerbs, at the cost of some steering sharpness.
Contact width
265/70 R17 is 10 mm wider in nominal section width (3.9%). A wider tyre usually puts a wider, shorter contact patch on the road, which can help dry grip, but it may follow ruts more, clear standing water less readily and add some rolling resistance.
Wheel well clearance
Ride height changes by about +19.8 mm, and the top of the tyre moves the same distance closer to the arch. On the same wheel width and offset, each sidewall moves about 5 mm further out towards the arch lip and further in towards the suspension. Check clearance at full steering lock and full suspension compression, especially on a lowered car.
Gearing
The effective final drive changes by -4.92%: 3,000 rpm at a given road speed becomes about 2,850 rpm. Gearing gets noticeably longer, so cruising revs drop and acceleration in each gear softens.
ABS, stability control and AWD
These systems compare wheel speeds. Fit the same size on both ends of an axle; with a 5.2% diameter gap, never mix 255/65 R17 and 265/70 R17 on an AWD car, and follow the car maker's rolling-circumference limits, which can be much tighter than 3%.
General tendencies from the nominal numbers, not a test of any tyre. Load index, speed rating, tyre construction and the car's approved sizes matter more than these rules of thumb.
Explained in our guides
- Plus-sizing wheels: tyre diameter and speedometer changesWork through a 17 to 18 inch wheel change, compare tyre diameters and speedometer effects, and understand why a 3% rule cannot approve fitment.
- Staggered vs square wheels: tyres, rotation and AWDCompare square and staggered wheel setups, calculate front-to-rear tyre diameter, and understand rotation limits and all-wheel-drive requirements.
- How to read a tyre size, load index and sidewall markingsDecode tyre width, aspect ratio, rim diameter, load and speed markings, then calculate sidewall height and diameter using a 225/45 R17 example.
Cars in our guides using these sizes
Factory trims and popular community setups from our fitment guides. A popular setup is not a factory approval; each guide explains its trims, axles and clearance limits.
255/65 R17
- Chevrolet Colorado 2nd gen (North America) (2015–2022)Factory trim
- Isuzu D-Max 2nd gen (RT) (2012–2020)Factory trim
- Isuzu D-Max 3rd gen (RG) (2020–present)Factory trim
- Nissan Navara / Frontier D40 (2005–2021)Factory trim
- Nissan Navara / NP300 D23 (2014–present)Factory trim
265/70 R17
- Chevrolet Colorado 2nd gen (North America) (2015–2022)Popular setup
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500 GMT800 (1999–2007)Factory and popular setup
- Dodge Ram 1500 3rd gen (DR) (2002–2008)Factory trim
- Ford Bronco 6th gen, non-Raptor (2021–present)Factory trim
- Ford F-150 12th generation (2009–2014)Factory trim
- Ford F-150 13th gen (2015–2020)Factory trim
- Ford F-150 14th gen (2021–present)Factory trim
- Nissan Navara / NP300 D23 (2014–present)Popular setup
- Toyota 4Runner 4th gen / N210 (2003–2009)Popular setup
- Toyota 4Runner 5th gen (N280) (2010–2024)Factory and popular setup
- Toyota FJ Cruiser XJ10 (2006–2022)Factory trim
- Toyota Hilux AN120 / AN130 (N80), 4x4 (2015–present)Popular setup
- Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 Series (2002–2009)Popular setup
- Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150 Series (2009–2023)Popular setup
- Toyota Tacoma 4th gen (N400) (2024–present)Factory trim
More comparisons
Questions
Can I use 265/70 R17 instead of 255/65 R17?
Both fit 17-inch wheels. The diameter difference is +5.17%, outside the ±3% screening limit, so most fitters would treat it as a different size class rather than a direct replacement. That does not approve fitment: check the car maker's approved sizes, load index, speed rating, rim width and clearance first.
How much bigger is 265/70 R17 than 255/65 R17?
Overall diameter is 39.5 mm (1.56 in) larger: 802.8 vs 763.3 mm. Section width is 10 mm wider, and the sidewall is 19.75 mm taller. These are nominal figures; real tyres vary by model and rim width.
Will 265/70 R17 change my speedometer reading?
Yes, by 5.17%. If the speedometer was accurate on 255/65 R17, an indicated 60 mph would be about 63.1 mph on 265/70 R17, and an indicated 100 km/h about 105.2 km/h. You would be going faster than the speedometer shows.
Which is better, 255/65 R17 or 265/70 R17?
Neither in general. 265/70 R17 has the taller sidewall, which usually rides more comfortably; 255/65 R17 usually steers more sharply. 265/70 R17 is wider, which can help dry grip; the narrower size is usually better in standing water and snow. The size listed for your car's trim, on its placard or in the handbook, is the safe default.
Check the exact tyre
Size codes give nominal dimensions. Before buying, confirm the size is approved for your car and check the exact tyre's load and speed ratings and published dimensions.