How Do I Determine Tire Size?

Tire size refers to the diameter of the wheel rim and its width in inches, as well as sidewall height or profile. Radial tires are typically marked according to their size on the sidewall of the tire. The letter “P” is used for passenger vehicles, while LT (light truck) is used for larger vehicles such as trucks and SUVs. In addition to these letters, there will be three numbers following; this is an important part of understanding your tire size. The first two numbers indicate the width of your tire in millimeters and the third number indicates your sidewall height as a percentage of that width. For example, if you have a P225/45R17 tire size it means that your wheel has a 17-inch diameter and 225 millimeters width with a 45% sidewall height (or profile).

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