Tire Size Calculator – Diameter, Width & Sidewall

Todd Mitchell (photo)
By Todd Mitchell
On: Wednesday, June 10, 2026 10:36 PM
tire size calc

Tire Size Calculator

Enter any tire code — 205/55R16, 275/35R20 — and instantly get width, sidewall height, overall diameter, and circumference.

Tyre Size Calculator

Enter code → dimensions in mm and inches

Width/Aspect Ratio R RimDiameter
Width
Sidewall Height
Overall Diameter
Circumference

How It Works

A tire code encodes width, aspect ratio, and rim diameter. Sidewall height = width × (aspect ratio ÷ 100). Overall diameter = rim diameter × 25.4 + 2 × sidewall height.

Sidewall (mm) = Width × Aspect% ÷ 100 | Overall diameter (mm) = Rim_in × 25.4 + 2 × Sidewall | Circumference = π × Diameter

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Read the tire code from the sidewall (e.g., 205/55R16).
  2. Enter the full code in the format WIDTH/ASPECTRRIM — e.g. 205/55R16.
  3. Click Calculate — all dimensions appear instantly.
  4. Use the diameter to compare against another tire size.
  5. Use the circumference in the RPM or speedometer calculators.

Worked Example

Example: 205/55R16 → Sidewall = 205 × 0.55 = 112.75 mm → Diameter = 16 × 25.4 + 2 × 112.75 = 406.4 + 225.5 = 631.9 mm (24.88 in).

Reference Table

Tire CodeWidthSidewallDiameterCircumference
195/65R15195 mm126.75 mm635.9 mm1997 mm
205/55R16205 mm112.75 mm631.9 mm1985 mm
225/45R17225 mm101.25 mm634.9 mm1994 mm
235/35R19235 mm82.25 mm647.3 mm2034 mm
265/70R17265 mm185.5 mm803.4 mm2524 mm
275/35R20275 mm96.25 mm700.9 mm2202 mm

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the ‘R’ in a tire code mean?

R stands for Radial construction — the internal cords run radially from bead to bead. Almost all modern passenger car tyres are radial. Older bias-ply tyres use a ‘B’ or ‘-‘ designation.

How much does tire diameter affect speedometer accuracy?

A 3% increase in diameter makes your speedometer read 3% low — so if the speedo shows 100 km/h you are actually doing 103 km/h. Use the Speedometer Error Calculator for precise correction.

What is the ‘+1 fitment’ rule for upgrading wheel size?

When increasing rim diameter by 1 inch, reduce tyre aspect ratio to keep overall diameter within 3% of stock. For example, moving from 205/55R16 to 225/45R17 keeps diameter nearly the same (631 mm vs 635 mm).

Why do low-profile tires have a harsher ride?

A lower aspect ratio means a shorter, stiffer sidewall with less flex to absorb road impacts. A 35-series tyre has far less cushioning than a 65-series, directly transmitting more road texture and pothole impacts into the cabin.