31.7" tall, 9.3" wide, 7.9" sidewall
A 235/85R16 tire is 31.7 inches (806 mm) tall and 9.3 inches wide. The sidewall is 85% of the width, 7.9 inches, on a 16-inch wheel, and the tire turns about 636 times per mile.
In flotation terms that is about 31.7x9.3R16. People often call it a 32-inch tire.
The size most often compared with it is 215/85R16, which is 1.3" shorter (−4.2%). At an indicated 60 mph you would be doing 57.5 mph on it, more than the 3% change many shops use as a limit.
| Current | New | Difference |
|---|
| Shows | Actual speed |
|---|
Same 16" wheel, within 20 mm of width and 10 points of aspect ratio.
| Size | Diameter | Width | Sidewall | vs 235/85R16 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 245/80R16 | 31.4" | 9.6" | 7.7" | −0.9% | |
| 255/80R16 | 32.1" | 10.0" | 8.0" | +1.1% | |
| 225/85R16 | 31.1" | 8.9" | 7.5" | −2.1% | |
| 245/85R16 | 32.4" | 9.6" | 8.2" | +2.1% | |
| 255/75R16 | 31.1" | 10.0" | 7.5" | −2.1% | |
| 245/75R16 | 30.5" | 9.6" | 7.2" | −4.0% | compare |
| 215/85R16 | 30.4" | 8.5" | 7.2" | −4.2% | compare |
| 255/85R16 | 33.1" | 10.0" | 8.5" | +4.2% | |
| 235/75R16 | 29.9" | 9.3" | 6.9" | −5.8% | |
| 215/80R16 | 29.5" | 8.5" | 6.8" | −6.9% |
Sizes within 2% of 31.7" on 17" or 15" or 18" wheels.
| Size | Diameter | Width | Sidewall | vs 235/85R16 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 235/80R17 | 31.8" | 9.3" | 7.4" | +0.2% | |
| 305/70R15 | 31.8" | 12.0" | 8.4" | +0.3% | |
| 285/75R15 | 31.8" | 11.2" | 8.4" | +0.3% | |
| 265/70R17 | 31.6" | 10.4" | 7.3" | −0.4% | |
| 285/65R17 | 31.6" | 11.2" | 7.3" | −0.4% | |
| 235/75R18 | 31.9" | 9.3" | 6.9" | +0.5% |
Actual speed when the speedometer is calibrated for 235/85R16.
| Speedometer shows | on 215/85R16 | on 265/75R16 | on 245/75R16 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 28.7 mph | 29.9 mph | 28.8 mph |
| 45 mph | 43.1 mph | 44.9 mph | 43.2 mph |
| 60 mph | 57.5 mph | 59.9 mph | 57.6 mph |
| 70 mph | 67.0 mph | 69.8 mph | 67.2 mph |
31.7 inches (806 mm). The sidewall is 7.9 inches.
9.3 inches (235 mm) section width, measured sidewall to sidewall.
About 31.7x9.3R16.
215/85R16 is −4.2% in diameter, more than the common 3% guideline, so expect a speedometer error and check clearance. It is 0.8" narrower.