265/65R17 vs 255/70R17
255/70R17 is taller than 265/65R17 by 1.61% — a diameter difference of 0.50″.
What changes between 265/65R17 and 255/70R17
Switching from 265/65R17 to 255/70R17 changes overall diameter by +1.61%, a taller tire by 0.50 inches. This lands inside the ±3% fitment safe zone, so most vehicles will accept the swap without rubbing, speedometer recalibration, or ABS/TPMS complications. Section width moves by -0.39″ (265mm → 255mm), which affects contact patch and fender-well clearance. Sidewall height shifts by +0.25″: a taller sidewall softens ride quality and adds off-road bump protection, with some loss of steering crispness. Revs per mile moves by -11, which translates directly to speedometer error — at an indicated 65 mph, actual speed becomes 66.0 mph. Both sizes share the same 17″ rim, so no wheel change is required — this is a pure tire-only swap.
| Spec | 265/65R17 | 255/70R17 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter | 30.56″ | 31.06″ |
| Section width | 10.43″ (265 mm) | 10.04″ (255 mm) |
| Sidewall height | 6.78″ (65%) | 7.03″ (70%) |
| Rim diameter | 17″ | 17″ |
| Circumference | 96.02″ | 97.56″ |
| Revs per mile | 660 | 649 |
Interactive comparison
275/65R18 or "33" for inch aliases265/65R17
- Diameter
- 30.56″ / 776.3mm
- Section Width
- 10.43″
- Sidewall
- 6.78″ / 172.25mm
- Circumference
- 96.02″
- Revs/Mile
- 660
255/70R17
- Diameter
- 31.06″ / 788.8mm
- Section Width
- 10.04″
- Sidewall
- 7.03″ / 178.5mm
- Circumference
- 97.56″
- Revs/Mile
- 649
Speedometer & Diameter Impact
At an indicated 60 mph, your actual speed is 60.97 mph (98.12 km/h). Your speedometer reads 1.61% low versus actual speed.