How to Measure Tires

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Learn how to get your tire's diameter, width, tread depth, & more
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Getting a tire's measurements is an important part of selecting good tires for a vehicle. If the tire's measurement information is not printed along its sidewall, you may not know which measurements to take or why. If it is, you may not know how to read the sidewall numbers. Learn the importance of measuring and how to measure diameter, width, aspect ratio, and tread depth before you purchase tires to find the ideal choice.

Quick Guide to Measuring a Tire

Take the tire off the vehicle and lay it down flat. To measure the tire's diameter, stretch a measuring tape lengthwise across the tire and note the measurement from one side to the other. To measure the tire width, stretch the measuring tape across the top of the treads and note the measurement from side to side.

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Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Measuring Wheel Diameter

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  1. The wheel diameter is often, though not always, printed on the tire's sidewall. You will be able to spot the diameter number by looking for the number followed after a capitalized "R."
    • The tire diameter may be printed in inches or meters, depending on your country.
    • If the wheel diameter is 15 inches (38 cm), for example, the diameter will read as "R15" on the number string.
  2. If you cannot find a wheel diameter number on your tire's sidewall, measure it yourself. Take the wheel out of your car, then lay it on a flat, smooth surface. A table or an area of ground with no incline works well for measuring tire diameter.
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  3. Take the measurement over, not to the side of, the hub. Depending on your needs, you may also measure the hubcap in a similar way: start at the bottom of the hubcap and finish measuring at its tip. [1]
    • Use a stiff tape measurer to calculate the wheel diameter. Looser tape measures may not provide as accurate of a diameter calculation because they can bend or tilt.
  4. Hubcap diameter is measured similar. Instead of from the top to bottom of the tire, however, measure from tip to end of the hubcap. Make sure to take your measurement over, not around, the hubcap here as well.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Determining Tire Width and Aspect Ratio

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  1. Often, the tire width will be printed along with other measurements. In most countries, the tire width is printed in millimeters or meters. The tire width number is usually printed directly following a capitalized "P." [2] [3]
  2. If you can't find a tire width number on the sidewall, calculate it on your own.The tire width is measured from endpoint to endpoint. If your tire is not connected to your car, stand it vertically while you measure. Take your measuring tape, and record the measurement you get from one end of the tire to the other. [5]
    • Prop your tire against a straight object if it does not stand up on its own.
  3. The tire aspect ratio is the ratio of the tire height divided by the tire width. On a tire sidewall, the aspect ratio will generally be written after a backslash ("/").
  4. Calculate aspect ratio manually if the number is not contained on the sidewall. When you've divided and come to a number, convert that number from a decimal to a percentage. This is your aspect ratio number. If your width is 4 inches (10.2 cm) and your diameter is 24 inches (61 cm), for example, then your aspect ratio is 60%.
    • Make sure you calculated the diameter and width in the same measurement system (e.g. inches or meters) before you calculate the aspect ratio.
    • Use this online aspect ratio calculator as an alternative: https://www.calculator.net/ratio-calculator.html
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Checking Tire Tread Measurements

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  1. Tire tread measurements are taken more approximately than other tire measurements. Take your penny and stick it into a groove in your tire. Position it so that Lincoln's head is sticking into the tread. [7]
    • If you purchased your tires at different times, check all four tires separately.
  2. The tire grooves should not cover the entire head but should cover the entirety of Lincoln's hair. If it is, your tire does not need to be replaced.
    • New or used tires with this measurement are safe to purchase.
  3. If you can see his entire head sticking out, or if you can see part or all of his hairline, your tread is too thin. Purchase new tires as soon as you notice that they are worn to prevent blowouts or other emergencies.
    • Do not purchase used tires that show Lincoln's hairline or his entire head. Their tread is too thin.
  4. Stick your quarter into the tire groove in the same way as you inserted the penny, with George Washington's head first. If your tread covers the tip of Washington's head, it is safe to drive on. If there is a gap between the tire tread and Washington's head, replace your tires as soon as you can. [8]
    • If you prefer not to keep pennies on hand but want to perform a coin test, quarters may be ideal. Quarters, however, offer a less precise measurement than pennies because it may be hard to tell if the tire tread is touching Washington's head.
  5. Tires often have indicator bars that can help you check how worn your tire tread is. These small bars built into your tire begin revealing themselves as your tire becomes too worn. Replace your tires if you can see the indicator bars partially or fully. [9]
    • If you are located in the United States, check your indicator bars and perform the penny or quarter test as an added precaution.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    What is the tread width for a 110/80 R12 tire?
    Dean V
    Community Answer
    The tread width for a 110/80 R12 tire is 110 mm, which converts to approximately 4.3 inches.
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  • Question
    Is a 265/75R18 tire taller than a 265/70R18 tire?
    Dean V
    Community Answer
    Yes, the 265/75R18 has a 7.8-inch sidewall, while the 265/70R18 has a 7.3-inch sidewall. The sidewall is 0.5 inches taller, resulting in a tire that is 1 inch taller.
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  • Question
    What is sidewall of 40 13.50r20?
    Angel Ortiz
    Community Answer
    The first number is your overall diameter of the tire. In this example the tire diameter or "height" is 33 inches tall. The second number represents the width of the tire.
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    Thank you for your feedback.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2eeldJzc1A&feature=youtu.be&t=18
      2. ↑ http://www.marathonind.com/images/measure-big.jpg
      3. ↑ Howard Fleischmann. Automotive Tire & Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 4 June 2021.
      4. ↑ Howard Fleischmann. Automotive Tire & Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 4 June 2021.
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Beszen5wIrM&feature=youtu.be&t=20
      6. ↑ Howard Fleischmann. Automotive Tire & Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 4 June 2021.
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlDQTaa1s14&feature=youtu.be&t=23
      8. ↑ http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3682871
      9. ↑ http://www.dummies.com/home-garden/car-repair/checking-your-tires-for-wear/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      The easiest way to find your tire’s measurements is to check the sidewall of the tire, which you can do without taking the tire off. To find the diameter of your tire, look for a capitalized “R” followed by a number, such as R15. Then, check the width of your tire by looking for a capitalized “P” followed by a number, such as P175. If your tire doesn’t have this information printed on the sidewall, it’s best to remove the tire from your car and measure it with a tape measure. To find the diameter, lay the tire on its side and measure across the side of the tire. Then, get the width by measuring around the outside of the tire. For more tips, including how to measure the treads of your tire, keep reading!

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