Data sheet TS-C07 · Comparison
295/70R17 vs 285/70R17
285/70R17 is nominally 0.55 in shorter than 295/70R17, a diameter reduction of 1.7%. It is also narrower, has less sidewall height and makes more revolutions per mile.
Fig. 1 — Cross-section, size 2
Table 1 — Data
285/70R17 is 32.71″ tall, −1.66% against 295/70R17. At 60 mph on the dial you drive 59.0 mph.
| Item | 295/70R17 | 285/70R17 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| DOverall diameter | 33.26″ | 32.71″ | −1.66% |
| ASection width | 11.61″ | 11.22″ | −0.39″ |
| BSidewall | 8.13″ | 7.85″ | −0.28″ |
| CRim | 17″ | 17″ | same |
| Revs per mile | 606 | 617 | +10 |
| Dial 60 mph = | 60.0 | 59.0 | −1.7% |
| Axle height | 16.63″ | 16.35″ | −0.28″ |
−1.66% — within the ±3% rule of thumb tire shops use. The speedometer and gearing stay close to stock.
Where to buy 285/70R17 ↓Fig. 2
Side view and width, to scale
Size 1 dashed, size 2 solid, on one ground line.
295/70R17285/70R17
Table 2 — Speedometer
| Dial shows | True speed | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.5 mph | −0.5 |
| 45 mph | 44.3 mph | −0.7 |
| 60 mph | 59.0 mph | −1.0 |
| 70 mph | 68.8 mph | −1.2 |
| 80 mph | 78.7 mph | −1.3 |
Engine RPM at the same road speed: +1.7%. Gear ratio calculator
Table 3
Published dimensions
From each maker’s size table. A tire is listed only with a source.
The math says 32.71″. 28 tires from 5 makers measure 32.76″–33.15″. Tallest here: Nitto Trail Grappler M/T (mud-terrain), 33.15″. Check the maker’s number before you buy for a tight fit.
| Tire | Type | Diameter | Width | Rims, in | Weight | Tread | Max load |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nitto Ridge Grapplernittotire.com · Oct 15, 2026 | LT · E 121/118Q | 32.76″ | 11.50″ | 7.5–9.5 | 57.9 lb | 16.4/32″ | 3,195 lb @ 80 psi |
| Nitto Recon Grappler A/Tnittotire.com · Oct 15, 2026 | LT · E 126/123S | 32.76″ | 11.50″ | 7.5–9.5 | 54.6 lb | 16.0/32″ | 3,750 lb @ 80 psi |
| Nitto Terra Grappler G3nittotire.com · Oct 15, 2026 | LT · E 126/123S | 32.76″ | 11.50″ | 7.5–9.5 | 56.2 lb | 16.0/32″ | 3,750 lb @ 80 psi |
| Nitto Dura Grapplernittotire.com · Oct 15, 2026 | LT · E 126/123R | 32.79″ | 11.49″ | 7.5–9.5 | 55.3 lb | 16.9/32″ | 3,750 lb @ 80 psi |
| Firestone Destination X/Tfirestonetire.com · Oct 15, 2026 | LT · E 121S | 32.80″ | — | 7.5–9.0 | 50.2 lb | 16.0/32″ | — |
| Firestone Destination M/T2firestonetire.com · Oct 15, 2026 | LT · E 121Q | 32.80″ | — | 7.5–9.0 | 59.5 lb | 20.0/32″ | — |
| Firestone Transforce HT3firestonetire.com · Oct 15, 2026 | LT · E 126R | 32.80″ | — | 7.5–9.0 | 49.7 lb | 15.0/32″ | — |
| Firestone Transforce AT2firestonetire.com · Oct 15, 2026 | LT · E 121R | 32.80″ | — | 7.5–9.0 | 50.1 lb | 18.0/32″ | — |
| Kumho Road Venture AT52kumhotireusa.com · Oct 15, 2026 | LT · E 121/118R | 32.80″ | 11.50″ | 7.5–9.5 | 54.6 lb | 16.0/32″ | 3,195 lb @ 80 psi |
| Kumho Road Venture RTkumhotireusa.com · Oct 15, 2026 | LT · E 121/118R | 32.80″ | 11.50″ | 7.5–9.5 | 60.8 lb | 17.3/32″ | 3,195 lb @ 80 psi |
§ 1
How do the dimensions differ?
By the formula, diameter drops from 33.3 in (845 mm) to 32.7 in (831 mm). Section width drops from 11.6 in (295 mm) to 11.2 in (285 mm), while sidewall height drops from 8.1 in (207 mm) to 7.9 in (200 mm).
The shorter tire reduces ground clearance at the axle by a nominal 0.28 in (7 mm). Revolutions per mile rise from 606 to 617. The differences table and scale drawing show these unloaded, nominal dimensions; actual tires measure differently.
§ 2
What changes in speed and gearing?
By the formula, changing from 295/70R17 to 285/70R17 gives 59.0 mph true speed at 60 mph indicated, assuming the original calibration matched 295/70R17. At 100 km/h indicated, true speed is 98.3 km/h. Odometer calibration also changes with the tire diameter.
At 65 mph with a 3.73 axle ratio and a 1.00 transmission gear, calculated engine speed rises from 2,450 rpm to 2,492 rpm. By the formula only, a 3.67 axle ratio would restore the original engine speed with the shorter tire. The gear ratio calculator separates tire-diameter effects from axle gearing.
§ 3
What do the makers publish?
The comparison covers size tables from Toyo, Nitto, Firestone, Kumho and Mickey Thompson, checked October 15, 2026. Their 295/70R17 listings include 11 tires, all LT load range E, with published diameters from 33.3 in to 33.7 in.
For 285/70R17, those makers list 28 tires: 21 LT and 7 P-metric or passenger versions. Published diameters range from 32.76 in to 33.15 in, with SL and E listed. For example, Nitto lists the Ridge Grappler at 33.31 in in LT295/70R17 and 32.76 in in LT285/70R17.
§ 4
Which trade-offs matter?
For greater nominal axle clearance and sidewall height, 295/70R17 is the taller option. For less nominal width and diameter, 285/70R17 is the narrower, shorter option, with higher engine rpm at the same road speed.
The 285/70R17 diameter is within the ±3% tire-shop rule of thumb around 295/70R17. That window is not a law or a vehicle maker specification. Fit depends on the vehicle, wheels and suspension, not diameter alone.
Table 4
Sizes within 3% of 285/70R17
Same rim or ±1″, diameter within 3%. A shop rule of thumb, not a law.
| Size | Diameter | Width | vs 285/70R17 | At 60 mph | Clearance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 235/80R18 | 32.80″ | 9.3″ | +0.3% | 60.2 | +0.05″ |
| 305/65R17 | 32.61″ | 12.0″ | −0.3% | 59.8 | −0.05″ |
| 265/70R18 | 32.61″ | 10.4″ | −0.3% | 59.8 | −0.05″ |
| 305/70R16 | 32.81″ | 12.0″ | +0.3% | 60.2 | +0.05″ |
| 285/65R18 | 32.59″ | 11.2″ | −0.4% | 59.8 | −0.06″ |
| 285/75R16 | 32.83″ | 11.2″ | +0.4% | 60.2 | +0.06″ |
| 33x11.50R16 | 33.00″ | 11.5″ | +0.9% | 60.5 | +0.15″ |
| 33x11.50R17 | 33.00″ | 11.5″ | +0.9% | 60.5 | +0.15″ |
| 33x11.50R18 | 33.00″ | 11.5″ | +0.9% | 60.5 | +0.15″ |
| 33x12.50R17 | 33.00″ | 12.5″ | +0.9% | 60.5 | +0.15″ |
Size sheets
Q&A
Common questions
How much narrower is 285/70R17?
By the formula, section width is 10 mm less than 295/70R17.
Does 285/70R17 reduce ground clearance?
Yes. The nominal reduction at the axle is 0.28 in (7 mm) compared with 295/70R17.
Are both sizes available in load range E?
Yes. The Toyo, Nitto, Firestone, Kumho and Mickey Thompson tables include load range E in both sizes; their 285/70R17 listings also include SL.
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.
- Nitto: size table (nittotire.com)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.