17-inch rim · tyre size comparison

275/70 R17 vs 285/70 R17

285/70 R17 is 14 mm (0.55 in) taller than 275/70 R17, a +1.71% difference in overall diameter. That is inside the ±3% limit commonly used to screen a tire size change; it is a nominal calculation, not a fitment approval.

Diameter difference
+14 mm
+0.55 in · +1.71%
Indicated 70 mph
71.2 mph
Actual speed on 285/70 R17, if the speedometer was accurate on 275/70 R17.
Sidewall height
+7 mm
192.5 mm to 199.5 mm.
Compare in the calculator275/70 R17 size guide285/70 R17 size guideSpeedometerWhat changes

Dimensions side by side

275/70 R17 and 285/70 R17 dimensions
Measurement275/70 R17285/70 R17Difference
Overall diameter816.8 mm32.16 in830.8 mm32.71 in+14 mm (+1.71%)+0.55 in
Section width275 mm10.83 in285 mm11.22 in+10 mm+0.39 in
Sidewall height192.5 mm7.58 in199.5 mm7.85 in+7 mm+0.28 in
Circumference2,566.05 mm101.03 in2,610.04 mm102.76 in+43.98 mm+1.73 in
Rim diameter431.8 mm17 in431.8 mm17 in0 mm0 in
Revolutions per mile627.17616.6-10.57
Revolutions per km389.7383.14-6.57
275/70 R17285/70 R17
Nominal diameters at the same scale. The inner circle is the rim.

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 285/70 R17

If the speedometer was accurate on 275/70 R17, fitting 285/70 R17 means the car is travelling 1.71% faster than it shows, and the odometer under-records distance by about the same amount.

Indicated speed versus calculated road speed on 285/70 R17
Speedometer showsActual on 285/70 R17Difference
30 mph30.51 mph+0.51 mph
50 mph50.86 mph+0.86 mph
60 mph61.03 mph+1.03 mph
70 mph71.2 mph+1.2 mph
50 km/h50.86 km/h+0.86 km/h
100 km/h101.71 km/h+1.71 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 275/70 R17 to 285/70 R17

  • Wheels

    Both fit 17-inch wheels. Our rim-width starting estimate is 7.5 to 8.5 inches for 275/70 R17 and 8 to 9 inches for 285/70 R17, so a 8 to 8.5-inch wheel sits in both ranges. The exact tyre's approved rim range takes priority.

  • Sidewall and ride comfort

    285/70 R17 has 7 mm more sidewall (199.5 vs 192.5 mm). A taller sidewall usually rides a little softer and gives the rim more protection from potholes and kerbs, at the cost of some steering sharpness.

  • Contact width

    285/70 R17 is 10 mm wider in nominal section width (3.6%). 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 +7 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 -1.69%: 3,000 rpm at a given road speed becomes about 2,950 rpm. Gearing gets slightly 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 1.7% diameter gap, never mix 275/70 R17 and 285/70 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.

Cars in our guides using these sizes

More comparisons

Questions

Can I use 285/70 R17 instead of 275/70 R17?

Both fit 17-inch wheels. The diameter difference is +1.71%, inside the ±3% screening limit. 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 285/70 R17 than 275/70 R17?

Overall diameter is 14 mm (0.55 in) larger: 830.8 vs 816.8 mm. Section width is 10 mm wider, and the sidewall is 7 mm taller. These are nominal figures; real tyres vary by model and rim width.

Will 285/70 R17 change my speedometer reading?

Yes, by 1.71%. If the speedometer was accurate on 275/70 R17, an indicated 60 mph would be about 61 mph on 285/70 R17, and an indicated 100 km/h about 101.7 km/h. You would be going faster than the speedometer shows.

Which is better, 275/70 R17 or 285/70 R17?

Neither in general. 285/70 R17 has the taller sidewall, which usually rides more comfortably; 275/70 R17 usually steers more sharply. 285/70 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.