265/70R15 vs 225/65R17
New overall diameter
28.52″
was 29.61″
True speed at an indicated 60
57.8 mph
speedometer reads high
Revolutions per mile
707
was 681 · +26
Switching from 265/70R15 to 225/65R17? Everything that changes is below — sidewall, tread width, circumference, revolutions per mile and speedometer error at road speeds.
| Measurement | 265/70R15 | 225/65R17 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter | 29.61″ | 28.52″ | −1.09″ (−3.7%) |
| Sidewall height | 7.30″ (185.5 mm) | 5.76″ (146.3 mm) | −39.3 mm |
| Tread width | 265 mm | 225 mm | −40 mm |
| Circumference | 93.01″ | 89.58″ | −3.43″ |
| Revs per mile | 681 | 707 | +26 |
| Speedometer error | baseline | −3.7% | reads high |
Diameter overlay
265/70R15 225/65R17
Speedometer check
With 225/65R17 fitted, when the speedometer shows the indicated speed, your actual speed is:
25 mph shown
24.1 mph actual
35 mph shown
33.7 mph actual
45 mph shown
43.3 mph actual
55 mph shown
53.0 mph actual
65 mph shown
62.6 mph actual
75 mph shown
72.2 mph actual
Common questions
- Will 225/65R17 fit instead of 265/70R15?
- Marginal fit — proceed with care. The 3.7% diameter change is between 3% and 5%. It can work, but expect noticeable speedometer error and check wheel-well clearance, scrub radius and gearing before committing. Your speedometer will read higher than your true speed. Overall diameter goes from 29.61″ to 28.52″, a change of −3.7%. As a rule of thumb, under 3% is safe, 3–5% needs a clearance check, and over 5% is not recommended.
- How far off will my speedometer read on 225/65R17?
- At an indicated 60 mph you would actually be travelling about 57.8 mph — a −3.7% error. The speedometer reads high, so you are going slower than it shows.
- What is the difference in revolutions per mile between 265/70R15 and 225/65R17?
- 265/70R15 turns roughly 681 revolutions per mile; 225/65R17 turns roughly 707. That is a change of +26 revolutions per mile, which is what shifts odometer and speedometer readings.