Tire Size & Speedometer Calculator

Compare an original and a new tire size to see the diameter change and the resulting speedometer error.

Format: Width / Aspect Ratio / Rim size (e.g. 225/55/17)

Original Diameter-
New Diameter-
Diameter Change-
At True 60 mph, Speedo Reads-
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Why Tire Size Affects Your Speedometer

Your speedometer is calibrated for a specific tire diameter. Fitting a larger or smaller diameter tire changes how far your car actually travels per wheel rotation, which throws off both your speedometer and odometer readings.

Formula

Diameter (in) = Rim Size + (2 × (Width × Aspect Ratio ÷ 100) ÷ 25.4)

How to Use This Calculator

Example

Going from a 225/55R17 to a 235/50R18 increases the diameter slightly, meaning that when your speedometer reads 60 mph, your true speed will be a little different.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is tire diameter calculated from size codes?

Using the width, aspect ratio, and wheel diameter encoded in the size (like 225/45R17).

Why does changing tire size affect speedometer accuracy?

A different overall diameter changes distance traveled per wheel rotation.

What does the aspect ratio number mean?

The tire's sidewall height as a percentage of its width.

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