Tire Size Guide: Find the Right Tire Size

Tire size made simple

Understand Your Tire Size Before You Shop

A tire size like 265/70R17 tells you several important things about the tire, but it does not guarantee that the tire fits your vehicle. Start by understanding the numbers, then verify your vehicle’s actual requirements before purchasing.

Example: 265/70R17
265 Width
/
70 Aspect Ratio
R Construction
17 Wheel
265 — Section Width Nominal tire width in millimeters.
70 — Aspect Ratio Sidewall height as a percentage of tire width.
R — Radial Construction The construction type used by most modern passenger tires.
17 — Wheel Diameter Designed for a 17-inch wheel diameter.
Before you buy

Where Should You Find Your Correct Tire Size?

Don’t rely only on what is currently mounted on the vehicle. Start with verified vehicle information whenever possible.

1

Driver-Door Placard

The tire information label inside the driver’s door area is often one of the best starting points for factory tire-size and pressure information.

2

Owner’s Manual

Use manufacturer documentation to verify the intended tire and wheel requirements for your specific vehicle configuration.

3

Verified Fitment Data

Year, make, model, trim, drivetrain, wheel package, and modifications can all affect which tire sizes are appropriate.

Browse current guides

Research Tires by Size

Select a tire size to explore Black Hills driving considerations, tire categories, fitment reminders, and buying guidance.

The size isn’t the whole story

Load Index & Speed Rating Still Matter

Two tires can share the same basic size but have different load, speed, construction, or service characteristics.

Load Index

Load index relates to how much weight the tire is designed to support under specified conditions. Trucks, SUVs, towing, hauling, and other uses can make load requirements especially important.

Speed Rating

The speed symbol is part of the tire’s service description and should be considered along with the vehicle manufacturer’s requirements.

Never replace a tire based only on the width/aspect-ratio/wheel-diameter numbers. Confirm all required fitment and service specifications before purchase.
After you know the size

Choose the Right Tire Category

Once the correct size and specifications are confirmed, the next question is what kind of tire best matches the way you actually drive.

Black Hills considerations

The Same Size Can Serve Very Different Drivers

A highway-focused tire and a severe-snow-rated all-terrain tire can sometimes share the same basic size while being designed around very different priorities.

Consider your actual mix of snow, gravel, highway driving, towing, mountain roads, commuting, and seasonal use before selecting a tire.

Winter Conditions Cold temperatures, snow, ice, and seasonal traction.
Highway Travel Comfort, stability, road noise, and tread life.
Gravel & Rural Roads Durability and loose-surface use.
Towing & Loads Vehicle and tire load requirements need verification.
Future live catalog integration

See Available Tires in Your Size

Once authorized affiliate product feeds are connected, individual size pages can automatically show verified tire models, product images, specifications, retailer availability, and approved pricing where allowed.

Live products will be matched from authorized data sources — not scraped retailer pages.
Need more help?

Start With Your Vehicle or Compare Tire Types

If you’re not confident about your tire size yet, start with your vehicle and verify fitment before shopping.

Black Hills Tire Guide provides independent educational tire information. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through affiliate links at no additional cost to you. Always verify tire size, load and speed requirements, wheel compatibility, vehicle fitment, pricing, availability, and installation requirements before purchasing.

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