This not all inclusive of every tire
manufacturer's available sizes and should be used as a guide
only.
Page links...
Tire
Terms |
What Tire Numbers Mean |
Conversion of Old Size to New Metric Size |
Speed
Ratings
Calculating Tire Height/Width |
Tire Diameters for 14" to 18" Wheels |
Tire Conversion Chart
| Diameter Comparison
Tire Terms
- M+S: A standard for all-season tires indicating
traction capability including mud, snow, rain, and slush.
- Sidewall: The portion of the tire between the tread
and the bead.
- Contact Patch: Also known as the footprint, this
is the portion of the tread that is in contact with
the driving surface.
- Bead: The portion of the tire that is retained by
the rim, strengthened by a steel wire wrapped in tire
plies.
- P-Metric: The most common currently-used system
of tire sizing for passenger vehicle tires.
- LT-Metric: The most common currently-used system
of tire sizing for light truck tires.
- Traction: A is best, C is "acceptable",
and it represents a tire's ability to stop on wet pavement
in a certain controlled situation.
- Temperature: A is best, C is "acceptable",
and it represents a tire's resistance heat generated
by friction between the tire and roadway.
- Tread Wear: 100 is the baseline number against which
all tires are rated, the higher the number the better.
A tire graded 300 should last three times as long as
one graded 100 under exactly the same conditions. These
ratings are NOT comparable between different tire manufacturers.
What The Numbers Mean
P275/60R15 107H is a typical label you'd
see on a tire's sidewall and it breaks down as follows:
- P = passenger . If it said "LT"
it would mean "light truck".
- 275 is the section width (in millimeters)
from one sidewall to the other at the tire's widest
point (the bulge) when mounted on a specifically sized
wheel and inflated to the recommended pressure. The
section width varies approximately 0.2" for every
0.5" change in wheel width.
- 60 determines the sidewall height.
On this example, the sidewall height is 60% of the section
width (275 mm) or 165 mm based on the proper wheel width
and inflation pressure.
- R means Radial. I suppose there
are designations for Bias Ply, but those tires are very
rare.
- 15 is the wheel diameter in inches.
- 107 The 107 represents the tire's
load index rating. As the number goes up, the load rating
of the tire goes up. Each number (i.e. 107, or 93, or
whatever) represents a certain weight that particular
tire can accommodate.
- H The H is the speed rating for
the tire and represents the maximum sustained speed
the tire can withstand. There is a lot of fine print
regarding that subject such as the load on the tire
and the pressure inside the tire, so check on that before
subjecting your tires to such "abuse".
Convert
Old Sizes to New Metric Size
- E78-14 is equivalent to
P195/75R14
- F78-14 is equivalent to
P205/75R14
- G78-14 is equivalent to
P215/75R14
- H78-14 is equivalent to
P225/75R14
- E78-15 is equivalent to
P195/75R15
- F78-15 is equivalent to
P205/75R15
- G78-15 is equivalent to
P215/75R15
- H78-15 is equivalent to
P225/75R15
- L78-15 is equivalent to
P235/75R15
-
Speed Ratings
- Q rated capable of speeds up to
100 mph.
- R rated capable of speeds up to
106 mph.
- S rated capable of speeds up to
112 mph.
- T rated capable of speeds up to
118 mph.
- U rated capable of speeds up to
124 mph.
- H rated capable of speeds up to
130 mph.
- V rated capable of speeds up to
149 mph.
- W rated capable of speeds up to
168 mph.
- Y rated capable of speeds up to
186 mph.
- Z rated capable of speeds above
149 mph.
Load Index Rating
Tire Height
and Width Conversion
The way to figure out the width and height in inches
from your P-metric tire designation is as follows: Take
the section width, in this example we'll use 275 mm, and
divide by 25.4 because there are 25.4 millimeters in an
inch. Multiply that by the aspect ratio, in this case 60%,
or .60. That will give you the height of one sidewall in
inches. Multiply by two because you have two sidewalls from
the ground to the top of the tire, and add the wheel diameter.
Presto. Piece of cake!
Example: The diameter of a P275/60HR15
tire is: 275mm / 25.4 x .60 x 2 + 15 = 27.99" diameter.
Tire Diameters
Simply find the wheel diameter in which you're interested,
then cross the section width with the aspect ratio and you'll
get the diameter in inches.
Actual tire sizes
may vary slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer.
Tire Diameters for 14" Wheels
WIDTH
|
185
|
195
|
205
|
215
|
225
|
235
|
245
|
255
|
265
|
275
|
ASPECT
RATIO
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
75
|
24.9
|
25.5
|
26.1
|
26.7
|
27.3
|
27.9
|
28.5
|
29.1
|
29.6
|
30.2
|
70
|
24.2
|
24.7
|
25.3
|
25.9
|
26.4
|
27.0
|
27.5
|
28.1
|
28.6
|
29.2
|
65
|
23.5
|
24.0
|
24.5
|
25.0
|
25.5
|
26.0
|
26.5
|
27.1
|
27.6
|
28.1
|
60
|
22.7
|
23.2
|
23.7
|
24.2
|
24.6
|
25.1
|
25.6
|
26.0
|
26.5
|
27.0
|
55
|
22.0
|
22.4
|
22.9
|
23.3
|
23.7
|
24.2
|
24.6
|
25.0
|
25.5
|
25.9
|
50
|
21.3
|
21.7
|
22.1
|
22.5
|
22.9
|
23.3
|
23.6
|
24.0
|
24.4
|
24.8
|
45
|
20.6
|
20.9
|
21.3
|
21.6
|
22.0
|
22.3
|
22.7
|
23.0
|
23.4
|
23.7
|
40
|
19.8
|
20.1
|
20.5
|
20.8
|
21.1
|
21.4
|
21.7
|
22.0
|
22.3
|
22.7
|
35
|
19.1
|
19.4
|
19.6
|
19.9
|
20.2
|
20.5
|
20.8
|
21.0
|
21.3
|
21.6
|
Tire Diameters for 15" Wheels
WIDTH
|
185
|
195
|
205
|
215
|
225
|
235
|
245
|
255
|
265
|
275
|
ASPECT
RATIO
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
75
|
25.9
|
26.5
|
27.1
|
27.7
|
28.3
|
28.9
|
29.5
|
30.1
|
30.6
|
31.2
|
70
|
25.2
|
25.7
|
26.3
|
26.9
|
27.4
|
28.0
|
28.5
|
29.1
|
29.6
|
30.2
|
65
|
24.5
|
25.0
|
25.5
|
26.0
|
26.5
|
27.0
|
27.5
|
28.1
|
28.6
|
29.1
|
60
|
23.7
|
24.2
|
24.7
|
25.2
|
25.6
|
26.1
|
26.6
|
27.0
|
27.5
|
28.0
|
55
|
23.0
|
23.4
|
23.9
|
24.3
|
24.7
|
25.2
|
25.6
|
26.0
|
26.5
|
26.9
|
50
|
00.3
|
22.7
|
23.1
|
23.5
|
23.9
|
24.3
|
24.6
|
25.0
|
25.4
|
25.8
|
45
|
21.6
|
21.9
|
22.3
|
22.6
|
23.0
|
23.3
|
23.7
|
24.0
|
24.4
|
24.7
|
40
|
20.8
|
21.1
|
21.5
|
21.8
|
22.1
|
22.4
|
22.7
|
23.0
|
23.3
|
23.7
|
35
|
20.1
|
20.4
|
20.6
|
20.9
|
21.2
|
21.5
|
21.8
|
22.0
|
22.3
|
22.6
|
Tire Diameters for 16" Wheels
WIDTH
|
185
|
195
|
205
|
215
|
225
|
235
|
245
|
255
|
265
|
275
|
ASPECT
RATIO
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
75
|
26.9
|
27.5
|
28.1
|
28.7
|
29.3
|
29.9
|
30.5
|
31.5
|
31.6
|
32.2
|
70
|
26.2
|
26.7
|
27.3
|
27.9
|
28.4
|
29.0
|
29.5
|
30.1
|
30.6
|
31.2
|
65
|
25.5
|
26.0
|
26.5
|
27.0
|
27.5
|
28.0
|
28.5
|
29.1
|
29.6
|
30.1
|
60
|
24.7
|
25.2
|
25.7
|
26.2
|
26.6
|
27.1
|
27.6
|
28.0
|
28.5
|
29.0
|
55
|
24.0
|
24.4
|
24.9
|
25.3
|
25.7
|
26.2
|
26.6
|
27.0
|
27.5
|
27.9
|
50
|
23.3
|
23.7
|
24.1
|
24.5
|
24.9
|
25.3
|
25.6
|
26.0
|
26.4
|
26.8
|
45
|
22.6
|
22.9
|
23.3
|
23.6
|
24.0
|
24.3
|
24.7
|
25.0
|
25.4
|
25.7
|
40
|
21.8
|
22.1
|
22.5
|
22.8
|
23.1
|
23.4
|
23.7
|
24.0
|
24.3
|
24.7
|
35
|
21.1
|
21.4
|
21.6
|
21.9
|
22.2
|
22.5
|
22.8
|
23.0
|
23.3
|
23.6
|
Tire Diameters for 17" Wheels
WIDTH
|
185
|
195
|
205
|
215
|
225
|
235
|
245
|
255
|
265
|
275
|
ASPECT
RATIO
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
75
|
27.9
|
28.5
|
29.1
|
29.7
|
30.3
|
30.9
|
31.5
|
32.1
|
32.6
|
33.2
|
70
|
27.2
|
27.7
|
28.3
|
28.9
|
29.4
|
30.0
|
30.5
|
31.1
|
31.6
|
32.2
|
65
|
26.5
|
27.0
|
27.5
|
28.0
|
28.5
|
29.0
|
29.5
|
30.1
|
30.6
|
31.1
|
60
|
25.7
|
26.2
|
26.7
|
27.2
|
27.6
|
28.1
|
28.6
|
29.0
|
29.5
|
30.0
|
55
|
25.0
|
25.4
|
25.9
|
26.3
|
26.7
|
27.2
|
27.6
|
28.0
|
28.5
|
28.9
|
50
|
24.3
|
24.7
|
25.1
|
25.5
|
25.9
|
26.3
|
26.6
|
27.0
|
27.4
|
27.8
|
45
|
23.6
|
23.9
|
24.3
|
24.6
|
25.0
|
25.3
|
25.7
|
26.0
|
26.4
|
26.7
|
40
|
22.8
|
23.1
|
23.5
|
23.8
|
24.1
|
24.4
|
24.7
|
25.0
|
25.3
|
25.7
|
35
|
22.1
|
22.4
|
22.6
|
22.9
|
23.2
|
23.5
|
23.8
|
24.0
|
24.3
|
24.6
|
Tire Diameters for 18" Wheels
WIDTH
|
185
|
195
|
205
|
215
|
225
|
235
|
245
|
255
|
265
|
275
|
ASPECT
RATIO
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
75
|
28.9
|
29.5
|
30.1
|
30.7
|
31.3
|
31.9
|
32.5
|
33.1
|
33.6
|
34.2
|
70
|
28.2
|
28.7
|
29.3
|
29.9
|
30.4
|
31.0
|
31.5
|
32.1
|
32.6
|
33.2
|
65
|
27.5
|
28.0
|
28.5
|
29.0
|
29.5
|
30.0
|
30.4
|
31.1
|
31.6
|
32.1
|
60
|
26.7
|
27.2
|
27.7
|
28.2
|
28.6
|
29.1
|
29.6
|
30.0
|
30.5
|
31.0
|
55
|
26.0
|
26.4
|
26.9
|
27.3
|
27.7
|
28.2
|
28.6
|
29.0
|
29.5
|
29.9
|
50
|
25.3
|
25.7
|
26.1
|
26.5
|
26.9
|
27.3
|
27.6
|
28.0
|
28.4
|
28.8
|
45
|
24.6
|
24.9
|
25.3
|
25.6
|
26.0
|
26.3
|
26.7
|
27.0
|
27.4
|
27.7
|
40
|
23.8
|
24.1
|
24.5
|
24.8
|
25.1
|
25.4
|
25.7
|
26.0
|
26.3
|
26.7
|
35
|
23.1
|
23.4
|
23.6
|
23.9
|
24.2
|
24.5
|
24.8
|
25.0
|
25.3
|
25.6
|
Tire Diameters for 19" Wheels
WIDTH
|
185
|
195
|
205
|
215
|
225
|
235
|
245
|
255
|
265
|
275
|
ASPECT
RATIO
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
75
|
29.9 |
30.5 |
31.1 |
31.7 |
32.3
|
32 .9
|
33.5 |
34.1 |
34.6 |
35.2 |
70
|
29.2 |
29.7 |
30.3 |
30.9 |
31.4 |
32.0 |
32.5 |
33.1 |
33.6 |
34.2 |
65
|
28.5 |
29.0 |
29.5 |
30.0 |
3.05 |
31.0 |
31.5 |
32.1 |
32.6 |
33.1 |
60
|
27.7
|
28.2
|
28.7
|
29.2
|
29.6
|
30.1
|
30.6
|
31.0
|
31.5
|
32.0
|
55
|
27.0
|
27.4
|
27.9
|
28.3
|
28.7
|
29.2
|
29.6
|
30.0
|
30.5
|
30.9
|
50
|
26.3
|
26.7
|
27.1
|
27.5
|
27.9
|
283
|
28.6
|
29.0
|
29.4
|
29.8
|
45
|
25.6
|
25.9
|
26.3
|
26.6
|
27.0
|
27.3
|
27.7
|
28.0
|
28.4
|
28.7
|
40
|
24.8
|
25.1
|
25.5
|
25.8
|
26.1
|
26.4
|
26.7
|
27.0
|
27.3
|
27.7
|
35
|
24.1
|
24.4
|
24.6
|
24.9
|
25.2
|
25.5
|
25.8
|
26.0
|
26.3
|
26.6
|
Tire Diameters for 20" Wheels
WIDTH
|
185
|
195
|
205
|
215
|
225
|
235
|
245
|
255
|
265
|
275
|
ASPECT
RATIO
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
75
|
30.9
|
31.5
|
32.1
|
32.7
|
33.3
|
33.9
|
34.5
|
34.1
|
35.6
|
36.2
|
70
|
30.2
|
30.7
|
31.3 |
31.9
|
32.4
|
33.0
|
33.5
|
34.1
|
34.6
|
35.2
|
65
|
29.5
|
30.0
|
30.5
|
31.0
|
31.5
|
32.0
|
32.5
|
33.1
|
33.6
|
34.1
|
60
|
28.7
|
2792
|
29.7
|
30.2
|
30.6 |
31.1 |
31.6 |
32.0 |
32.5 |
33.0 |
55
|
28.0
|
28.4
|
28.9
|
29.3
|
29.7
|
30.2
|
30.6
|
31.0
|
31.5
|
31.9
|
50
|
27.3 |
27.7 |
28.1 |
28.5 |
28.9
|
29.3
|
29.6
|
30.0
|
30.4
|
30.8
|
45
|
26.6
|
26.9
|
27.3
|
27.6
|
28.0
|
28.3
|
28.7
|
29.0
|
29.4
|
29.7
|
40
|
25.8
|
26.1
|
26.5
|
26.8
|
27.1
|
27.4
|
27.7
|
28.0
|
28.3
|
28.7
|
35
|
25.1
|
25.4
|
25.6
|
25.9
|
26.2
|
26.5
|
26.8
|
27.0
|
27.3
|
27.6
|
Tire Size
Conversion Chart
While today's P-metric passenger tire sizes have
existed since the early 1980's, restoring classic muscle
cars and pony cars has kept yesterday's Numeric and Alpha
Numeric tires from disappearing. The chart below is intended
to help you determine their equivalent P-metric tire sizes.
Two versions of numeric tire sizes were used as original
equipment on vehicles between 1949 and 1970. The early numeric
tires had the equivalent of a 90-series aspect ratio, while
later tires offered a "lower" profile equivalent
to a 80-series. These tires typically featured tread widths
ranging from 3.5" for the smallest 13" wheel diameter
tires to about 5.5" for the largest 15" wheel
diameter tires.
To convert Numeric sizes to today's P-metric sizes, it
is important to remember that early cars were not only equipped
with narrow tires, they were equipped with narrow wheels
as well. In most cases, numeric tires should be replaced
with today's 80- or 75-series sized tires. This is especially
important if the original wheels are to be used. Today's
lower profile sizes will usually result in too wide a tire
with too much gap between the wheel well opening and the
top of the tire.
For example: A 1967 Chevelle 7.35-14 might be replaced
with a 185R14 or P195/75R14.
Alpha numeric tire sizes were introduced as original
equipment in the late 60s and became widely used in the
early 70's. These tires were identified with a letter which
indicated the tire's load capacity, followed by a "R"
if radial ply construction, the tire's aspect ratio and
wheel diameter. So while G78-15 (28.01"), G70-15 (27.5")
and G60-15 (26.4") sized tires are all rated to carry
the same load, their different aspect ratios resulted in
tires with the overall diameters indicated above.
To convert Alpha Numeric tires to P-metric sized tires,
it is important to identify the original tire's aspect ratio.
The 78-series Alpha Numeric tires should be replaced with
today's 80-, or 75 series tires. If the vehicle was equipped
with the low profile 70-, 60- or 50-series sizes, the P-metric
substitution should be selected from the P-metric size column
that offers the equivalent aspect ratio as the existing
tire.
1949 to 1964 |
1965 to 1970 |
1970 to 1980 |
1980 - On |
NUMERIC |
ALPHA NUMERIC |
EUROMETRIC |
P-METRIC |
EUROMETRIC or P-METRIC |
"90"
to "80"-Series |
78 to 50-Series |
"82"-Series |
80-, 75-series |
70-series |
65-series |
60-series |
50-series |
|
|
|
145R10 |
|
165/70R10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
145R12 |
P145/80R12 |
165/70R12 |
|
|
|
|
6.00-12 |
|
155R12 |
P155/80R12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
165/65R13 |
|
|
|
|
|
145R13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
155R13 |
P155/80R13 |
175/70R13 |
|
195/60R13 |
215/50R13 |
5.60-13 |
6.00-13 |
A |
165R13 |
P165/80R13 |
185/70R13 |
|
205/60R13 |
|
|
6.50-13 |
B |
175R13 |
P175/80R13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
C |
|
P185/80R13 |
|
|
|
|
|
7.00-13 |
D |
185R13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
195R13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
175/65R14 |
|
|
6.00-14 |
6.45-14 |
|
155R14 |
|
175/70R14 |
185/65R14 |
|
|
|
|
B |
165R14 |
P175/75R14 |
185/70R14 |
195/65R14 |
205/60R14 |
|
6.50-14 |
6.95-14 |
C |
175R14 |
P185/75R14 |
195/70R14 |
|
215/60R14 |
|
|
|
D |
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.00-14 |
7.35-14 |
E |
185R14 |
P195/75R14 |
205/70R14 |
|
225/60R14 |
245/50R14 |
7.50-14 |
7.75-14 |
F |
195R14 |
P205/75R14 |
215/70R14 |
|
235/60R14 |
|
8.00-14 |
8.25-14 |
G |
205R14 |
P215/75R14 |
225/70R14 |
|
245/60R14 |
265/50R14 |
8.50-14 |
8.55-14 |
H |
215R14 |
P225/75R14 |
|
|
|
|
9.00-14 |
|
J |
225R14 |
|
|
|
|
|
9.50-14 |
|
L |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.60-15 |
A |
155R15 |
P155/80R15 |
|
185/65R15 |
195/60R15 |
|
6.00-15 |
|
B |
165R15 |
P165/80R15 |
185/70R15 |
195/65R15 |
205/60R15 |
225/50R15 |
6.50-15 |
6.85-15 |
C |
175R15 |
|
195/70R15 |
205/65R15 |
215/60R15 |
|
|
|
D |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.35-15 |
E |
185R15 |
P195/75R15 |
205/70R15 |
215/65R15 |
225/60R15 |
|
6.70-15 |
7.75-15 |
F |
195R15 |
P205/75R15 |
215/70R15 |
|
235/60R15 |
|
|
8.15-15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.10-15 |
|
G |
205R15 |
P215/75R15 |
225/70R15 |
235/65R15 |
245/60R15 |
265/50R15 |
|
8.25-15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.45-15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.60-15 |
|
H |
215R15 |
P225/75R15 |
235/70R15 |
|
255/60R15 |
275/50R15 |
|
8.55-15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.00-15 |
8.85-15 |
J |
225R15 |
P225/75R15 |
235/70R15 |
|
265/60R15 |
|
8.20-15 |
9.00-15 |
K |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9.15-15 |
L |
235R15 |
P235/75R15 |
255/70R15 |
|
275/60R15 |
295/50R15 |
|
|
N |
|
|
|
|
|
305/50R15 |
Listing in chart does not imply complete interchangeability.
When changing tire sizes, dimensional clearances must
be checked.
Each row of the above chart is roughly the same diameter
tires, but the width varies by column, and the diameters
are not exact matches.
Diameter Comparison
While this chart certainly doesn't guarantee a
specific tire will fit your vehicle, it can give you an
idea of the tire sizes with the same diameter.
Approx.
Tire
Diameter |
P-metric and European Metric |
LT-metric |
Light Truck |
Light Truck |
(in Inches) |
75-series and Higher |
70- and 65-series |
60-series and Lower |
85-series |
75-series and Lower |
Flotation |
Numeric |
34 1/2 |
|
|
|
|
|
35X12.50R15LT |
|
33 1/2 |
|
|
|
LT255/85R16 |
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
|
LT285/75R16 |
|
|
32 1/2 |
|
|
|
|
|
33X12.50R16.5LT |
|
|
|
|
|
|
33X12.50R15LT |
|
31 1/2 |
|
P275/70R16 |
|
LT235/85R16 |
LT265/75R16 |
32X11.50R15LT |
7.50R16 |
30 1/2 |
P265/75R15 |
265/70R16 |
285/60R17 |
LT215/85R16 |
LT285/60R17 |
31X10.50R16.5LT |
9.50R16.5LT |
|
|
|
|
LT245/75R16 |
31X11.50R15LT |
|
|
|
|
|
LT325/60R15 |
31X10.50R15LT |
|
30 |
|
P255/70R16 |
P275/60R17 |
|
|
|
|
29 1/2 |
|
P245/70R16 |
265/60R17 |
|
LT225/75R16 |
30X9.50R15LT |
8.75R16.5LT |
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.00R15 |
29 |
205R16 |
255/65R16 |
255/55R18 |
|
LT235/75R15 |
|
|
205/80R16 |
P235/70R16 |
255/60R17 |
|
|
|
|
P235/75R15 |
P255/70R15 |
|
|
|
|
|
28 1/2 |
P225/75R15 |
P225/70R16 |
|
|
LT225/75R15 |
29X9.50R15LT |
8.00R16.5LT |
|
P245/70R15 |
|
|
|
|
|
28 |
|
215/70R16 |
P255/55R17
P275/60R15 |
|
|
|
|
27 1/2 |
P215/75R15 |
P225/70R15 |
|
|
LT215/75R15 |
|
|
27 |
P205/75R15 |
P215/65R16 |
255/50R17 |
|
LT205/75R15 |
|
|
|
|
P305/50R15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
P255/60R15 |
|
|
|
|
26 1/2 |
P195/75R15 |
P225/70R14 |
P295/50R15 |
|
LT195/75R15 |
27X8.50R14LT |
|
|
|
P245/60R15 |
|
|
|
|
26 |
P205/75R14 |
P215/65R15 |
P235/60R15 |
|
|
|
|
185R14 |
P215/70R14 |
|
|
|
|
|
25 1/2 |
P195/75R14 |
P205/70R14 |
P225/60R15 |
|
|
|
|
Source:
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/45_conversionchart.jsp
|