33.1" tall, 10.0" wide, 8.5" sidewall
A 255/85R16 tire is 33.1 inches (840 mm) tall and 10.0 inches wide. The sidewall is 85% of the width, 8.5 inches, on a 16-inch wheel, and the tire turns about 610 times per mile.
In flotation terms that is about 33.1x10.0R16, closest to the common 33x12.50R16 (33.0"). People often call it a 33-inch tire.
The size most often compared with it is 265/75R16, which is 1.4" shorter (−4.3%). At an indicated 60 mph you would be doing 57.4 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 255/85R16 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 275/80R16 | 33.3" | 10.8" | 8.7" | +0.8% | |
| 265/80R16 | 32.7" | 10.4" | 8.3" | −1.1% | |
| 245/85R16 | 32.4" | 9.6" | 8.2" | −2.0% | |
| 265/85R16 | 33.7" | 10.4" | 8.9" | +2.0% | |
| 275/75R16 | 32.2" | 10.8" | 8.1" | −2.5% | |
| 255/80R16 | 32.1" | 10.0" | 8.0" | −3.0% | |
| 275/85R16 | 34.4" | 10.8" | 9.2" | +4.0% | |
| 235/85R16 | 31.7" | 9.3" | 7.9" | −4.0% | |
| 265/75R16 | 31.6" | 10.4" | 7.8" | −4.3% | compare |
| 245/80R16 | 31.4" | 9.6" | 7.7" | −4.9% |
Sizes within 2% of 33.1" on 17" or 18" or 15" wheels.
| Size | Diameter | Width | Sidewall | vs 255/85R16 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 255/80R17 | 33.1" | 10.0" | 8.0" | −0.0% | |
| 255/75R18 | 33.1" | 10.0" | 7.5" | −0.0% | |
| 295/65R18 | 33.1" | 11.6" | 7.5" | +0.1% | |
| 315/65R17 | 33.1" | 12.4" | 8.1" | +0.2% | |
| 33x10.50R15 | 33.0" | 10.5" | 9.0" | −0.2% | |
| 33x12.50R15 | 33.0" | 12.5" | 9.0" | −0.2% |
Actual speed when the speedometer is calibrated for 255/85R16.
| Speedometer shows | on 265/75R16 | on 285/75R16 | on 275/80R16 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 28.7 mph | 29.8 mph | 30.2 mph |
| 45 mph | 43.1 mph | 44.7 mph | 45.3 mph |
| 60 mph | 57.4 mph | 59.6 mph | 60.5 mph |
| 70 mph | 67.0 mph | 69.5 mph | 70.5 mph |
33.1 inches (840 mm). The sidewall is 8.5 inches.
10.0 inches (255 mm) section width, measured sidewall to sidewall.
About 33.1x10.0R16; the closest common flotation size is 33x12.50R16 at 33.0".
265/75R16 is −4.3% in diameter, more than the common 3% guideline, so expect a speedometer error and check clearance. It is 0.4" wider.