Use the live comparison above to see the exact diameter, circumference, revs/mile, and speedometer error between 255/80R17 and 285/70R17. Change either size to explore a different pairing, or open the full Tire Size calculator to start from scratch.
Tire Size Comparison
255/80R17 vs 285/70R17
Diameter, circumference, revs/mile, and speedometer error for 255/80R17 vs 285/70R17, with a to-scale visual.
Metric (285/75R16) or inch (35x12.50R17)
Past +10% diameter, budget for a regear. Use the Gear Ratio calculator to check.
Tire Size Results
First Tire
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stock diameter
Second Tire
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new diameter
Speedo Error
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speedometer error
| Measurement | First | Second |
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255/80R17 vs 285/70R17: What Changes
Both land near 33 inches tall, but they represent two different philosophies: the 255/80R17 is the famous "skinny 33": narrow, tall, and superb in mud, snow, and ruts, while the 285/70R17 is a wider, more conventional 33 with a bigger contact patch for sand and rock. This comparison shows how their diameter and width trade off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why choose a skinny 255/80R17 over a wider tire?
Narrow tires like the 255/80R17 cut through mud and snow to find traction, resist getting pushed around in ruts, and clear fenders more easily, at the cost of a smaller footprint on sand and rock.
Are 255/80R17 and 285/70R17 the same height?
Very close: both are near 33 inches, but the exact diameters differ slightly, as shown in the results. The bigger difference is width and contact-patch shape.