Data sheet TS-C10 · Comparison
245/75R16 vs 265/75R16
265/75R16 is nominally 1.18 in taller than 245/75R16, a 3.9% diameter increase. It is also wider, adds sidewall height and turns fewer revolutions per mile. Published tire measurements vary by maker and model.
Fig. 1 — Cross-section, size 2
Table 1 — Data
265/75R16 is 31.65″ tall, +3.88% against 245/75R16. At 60 mph on the dial you drive 62.3 mph.
| Item | 245/75R16 | 265/75R16 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| DOverall diameter | 30.47″ | 31.65″ | +3.88% |
| ASection width | 9.65″ | 10.43″ | +0.79″ |
| BSidewall | 7.23″ | 7.82″ | +0.59″ |
| CRim | 16″ | 16″ | same |
| Revs per mile | 662 | 637 | −25 |
| Dial 60 mph = | 60.0 | 62.3 | +3.9% |
| Axle height | 15.23″ | 15.82″ | +0.59″ |
+3.88% — outside the ±3% rule of thumb tire shops use. Expect a speedometer error, and check clearance at full lock and full compression before you buy.
Where to buy 265/75R16 ↓Fig. 2
Side view and width, to scale
Size 1 dashed, size 2 solid, on one ground line.
245/75R16265/75R16
Table 2 — Speedometer
| Dial shows | True speed | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 31.2 mph | +1.2 |
| 45 mph | 46.7 mph | +1.7 |
| 60 mph | 62.3 mph | +2.3 |
| 70 mph | 72.7 mph | +2.7 |
| 80 mph | 83.1 mph | +3.1 |
Engine RPM at the same road speed: −3.7%. Gear ratio calculator
Table 3
Published dimensions
From each maker’s size table. A tire is listed only with a source.
The math says 31.65″. 26 tires from 5 makers measure 31.65″–32.00″. Tallest here: Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T (all-terrain), 32.00″. Check the maker’s number before you buy for a tight fit.
| Tire | Type | Diameter | Width | Rims, in | Weight | Tread | Max load |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firestone Winterforce LTfirestonetire.com · Oct 15, 2026 | LT · E 123R | 31.65″ | — | 7.0–8.0 | 46.4 lb | 17.0/32″ | — |
| Nitto Ridge Grapplernittotire.com · Oct 15, 2026 | LT · E 123/120Q | 31.65″ | 10.51″ | 7.0–9.0 | 56.4 lb | 16.4/32″ | 3,415 lb @ 80 psi |
| Nitto Terra Grappler G3nittotire.com · Oct 15, 2026 | LT · E 123/120S | 31.65″ | 10.51″ | 7.0–9.0 | 50.3 lb | 15.7/32″ | 3,415 lb @ 80 psi |
| Nitto Dura Grapplernittotire.com · Oct 15, 2026 | LT · E 123/120Q | 31.65″ | 10.51″ | 7.0–9.0 | 50.7 lb | 16.8/32″ | 3,415 lb @ 80 psi |
| Firestone Destination X/Tfirestonetire.com · Oct 15, 2026 | LT · E 123S | 31.70″ | — | 7.0–8.0 | 44.7 lb | 15.0/32″ | — |
| Firestone Destination M/T2firestonetire.com · Oct 15, 2026 | LT · E 123Q | 31.70″ | — | 7.0–8.0 | 53.5 lb | 19.0/32″ | — |
| Firestone Transforce AT2firestonetire.com · Oct 15, 2026 | LT · E 123R | 31.70″ | — | 7.0–8.0 | 43.5 lb | 17.0/32″ | — |
| Kumho Road Venture AT52kumhotireusa.com · Oct 15, 2026 | LT · E 123/120R | 31.70″ | 10.50″ | 7.0–9.0 | 50.9 lb | 16.0/32″ | 3,415 lb @ 80 psi |
| Toyo Open Country A/T IIItoyotires.com · Oct 15, 2026 | LT · E 123/120R | 31.70″ | 10.50″ | 7.0–9.0 | 50.0 lb | 16.3/32″ | 3,415 lb @ 80 psi |
| Toyo Open Country R/T Trailtoyotires.com · Oct 15, 2026 | LT · E 123/120Q | 31.70″ | 10.50″ | 7.0–9.0 | 56.0 lb | 16.3/32″ | 3,415 lb @ 80 psi |
§ 1
How much larger is 265/75R16?
By the formula, diameter rises from 30.5 to 31.6 in (774 to 804 mm). Section width rises from 9.6 to 10.4 in, a 20 mm increase. Sidewall height rises from 7.2 to 7.8 in, adding 15 mm.
Nominal revolutions per mile drop from 662 to 637. Ground clearance at the axle increases by 0.59 in (15 mm). The scale drawing and differences table show these unloaded, nominal dimensions; actual tires measure differently.
§ 2
What changes in speed and gearing?
With calibration unchanged after moving to 265/75R16, the formula gives 62.3 mph true at 60 mph indicated. At 100 km/h indicated, true speed is 103.9 km/h. Actual distance traveled is also 3.9% greater than the odometer records.
At 65 mph with a 3.73 axle ratio and a 1.00 transmission gear, calculated engine speed falls from 2,675 to 2,575 rpm, down 3.7%. The axle-ratio calculation is 3.73 × 31.65 / 30.47 = 3.87 to restore the original engine speed. This is formula math only, not a modification recommendation.
§ 3
What do maker tables list?
Kumho, Firestone, Nitto and Toyo tables list 20 tires in 245/75R16: 12 LT and 8 passenger versions, with SL, XL and E load ranges. Their published diameters span 30.1 to 30.7 in. Firestone, Nitto, Kumho, Toyo and Mickey Thompson tables list 26 tires in 265/75R16: 17 LT and 9 passenger versions, with SL and E load ranges. Published diameters span 31.65 to 32 in.
For a same-model comparison, Toyo lists its Open Country A/T III at 30.5 in in LT245/75R16 and 31.7 in in LT265/75R16. Toyo lists 682 and 656 revolutions per mile respectively, rather than the nominal formula values.
§ 4
Which dimensions matter for the change?
The taller 265/75R16 adds nominal axle clearance and lowers calculated engine rpm at the same road speed. The shorter, narrower 245/75R16 has less diameter and section width to accommodate. Fit depends on the vehicle, wheels and suspension.
Check the specific model's approved rim widths, not just its size label. Toyo lists 6.5–8.0 in for the LT245/75R16 Open Country A/T III and 7.0–9.0 in for the LT265/75R16 version.
Table 4
Sizes within 3% of 265/75R16
Same rim or ±1″, diameter within 3%. A shop rule of thumb, not a law.
| Size | Diameter | Width | vs 265/75R16 | At 60 mph | Clearance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 265/70R17 | 31.61″ | 10.4″ | −0.1% | 59.9 | −0.02″ |
| 285/70R16 | 31.71″ | 11.2″ | +0.2% | 60.1 | +0.03″ |
| 235/85R16 | 31.73″ | 9.3″ | +0.2% | 60.1 | +0.04″ |
| 235/80R17 | 31.80″ | 9.3″ | +0.5% | 60.3 | +0.08″ |
| 245/75R17 | 31.47″ | 9.6″ | −0.6% | 59.7 | −0.09″ |
| 255/75R17 | 32.06″ | 10.0″ | +1.3% | 60.8 | +0.20″ |
| 275/70R16 | 31.16″ | 10.8″ | −1.6% | 59.1 | −0.25″ |
| 275/70R17 | 32.16″ | 10.8″ | +1.6% | 61.0 | +0.25″ |
| 255/70R17 | 31.06″ | 10.0″ | −1.9% | 58.9 | −0.30″ |
| 31x10.50R15 | 31.00″ | 10.5″ | −2.1% | 58.8 | −0.32″ |
Size sheets
Q&A
Common questions
Is 265/75R16 within 3% of 245/75R16?
No. Its nominal diameter increase is 3.9%, outside the ±3% window. That window is a tire-shop rule of thumb, not a law or vehicle maker specification.
Will 265/75R16 make the speedometer read low?
With calibration unchanged from 245/75R16, yes. By the formula, 70 mph indicated becomes 72.7 mph true.
Are both sizes available in load range E?
Yes. The Kumho, Firestone, Nitto and Toyo tables list load range E tires in both sizes. Load range alone does not describe every model's load rating.
Notes
Method and sources
Each number and rule comes from a source with the date it was checked.
- Sidewall = width × aspect ratio ÷ 100
- Diameter = rim × 25.4 + 2 × sidewall (mm)
- Revs per mile = 63,360 ÷ (π × diameter, in)
- True speed = dial × new diameter ÷ old diameter
- Clearance change = half the diameter change
Numbers are nominal: the tire unloaded, on its measuring rim. Revs per mile published by makers run higher than the formula. “Within 3%” is a rule of thumb tire shops use, not a law. Tire pressure: the placard on your door jamb.
- Kumho: size table (kumhotireusa.com)checked Oct 15, 2026
- Firestone: size table (firestonetire.com)checked Oct 15, 2026
- Nitto: size table (nittotire.com)checked Oct 15, 2026
- Toyo: size table (toyotires.com)checked Oct 15, 2026
- Nitto: size table (nittotire.com)checked Oct 15, 2026
- Kumho: size table (kumhotireusa.com)checked Oct 15, 2026
- 49 CFR 571.139 (FMVSS No. 139), S5.5(d)ecfr.gov · checked Oct 15, 2026
Related
Calculators and size classes
- Tire size calculatorTwo sizes: diameter, sidewall, revs and speedometer.
- Compare up to 4 sizesUp to four sizes side by side, drawn to scale.
- Metric ↔ inchesMetric to inches, and 33x12.50R20 to metric.
- Speedometer errorTrue speed after a size change.
- Gear ratio and RPMEngine RPM and the ratio to regear to.
- Wheel offset and pokeBackspacing, poke and inner clearance.
- DOT date codeHow old a tire is, from the DOT number.
- Load index chartLoad index in pounds and kilograms.
- Bolt patternMeasure it, convert inches to mm.
- Rim size and tire fitWhat 17x8 ET35 means, which sizes go on it.
- What fits my carStart from the placard on the door.
- Tire size chartCommon sizes in inches, by rim.