There are numerous factors to consider when selecting the right tires for your vehicle, including size, tread pattern, and load capacity. Two popular tire sizes commonly used on SUVs and trucks are the 245/75R17 and the 265/70R17.

While these tire sizes may seem similar at first glance, some critical differences can affect your vehicle’s performance. The width of a tire, which varies between the two sizes, is what primarily determines how it reacts to the road surface.

In this piece, I’ll compare and contrast the 245/75R17 vs 265/70R17 tire sizes and discuss the implications of each for safe and comfortable driving. Identifying the differences between these tire sizes will help you select the best ones for your vehicle.

Contents show

245 75r17 vs 265 70r17 Tire Size – Comparison Table

Here’s a quick rundown of the differences between tire sizes 245/75R17 and 265/70R17 before we get into the nitty-gritty.

Features	245 75r17	265 70r17	Differences
Overall Diameter (inches)	31.47 inches	31.61 inches	0.14 inches
Aspect Ratio	75%	70%	5%
Circumference	98.86 inches	99.29 inches	0.43 inches
Sidewall Height	7.23 inches	7.3 inches	.07 inches
Width	245 mm	265 mm	20 mm
Section Width	9.65 inches	10.43 inches	0.78 inches
Tread Width	9.6 inches	10.4 inches	0.8 inches
Revolutions Per Mile	640.9	638.1	2.8
Radius	15.73 inches	15.80 inches	0.07 inches
Rim Diameter	17 inches	17 inches	None
Rim Width Range	6.50 – 8 inches	7- 9 inches	0.5 – 1 inches
Speedometer Reading (km/h)	60 km/h	60 km/h	None
Actual Speed (km/h)	60.3 km/h	59.7 km/h	0.6 km/h (0.17 m/s)

245 75r17 vs 265 70r17 Tire Size – Detailed Comparison

Now I will go over the in-depth details of 245/75R17 and 265/70R17 tire sizes and compare them in terms of efficiency and comfort.

Overall Diameter

The overall diameter is the whole tire’s diameter when inflated and on a wheel.
A tire’s overall diameter is determined by the space between its outer edges when it is mounted and fully inflated.
This measurement includes the tire’s tread, sidewall, and other dimensions.

Tire diameter affects speedometer accuracy, fuel economy, and handling characteristics.

A 245/75R17 tire has an approximate diameter of 31.47 inches. A 265/70R17 tire has an approximate diameter of 31.61 inches. According to these measurements, the 265/70R17 tire is about 0.14 inches (2 mm) larger in diameter than the 245/75R17 tire.

This means that the 265/70R17 tire will have a slightly larger diameter and will go a slightly longer distance with each turn.

Aspect Ratio

A tire’s aspect ratio is how tall its sidewall is compared to its width.
It’s usually written as a percentage and can be found in the tire size code on the sidewall.
A tire with the size “245/75R17” has an aspect ratio of 75, meaning the sidewall height is 75% of the width. So the height of the walls would be 0.75 times 245 millimeters, or 183.75 mm.

A lower aspect ratio implies a wider tread and possibly a harsher ride, but better handling and steering response.

The 245/75R17 has a sidewall width-to-height ratio of 75%. The 265/70R17 has an aspect ratio of 70%. There is a 5% difference in the aspect ratio. The difference in aspect ratio between the two tire sizes is relatively small.

This may not be important to the average consumer when buying tires. However, the 265/70R17 tire has a slightly higher aspect ratio than the 245/75R17 tire, which makes it a little bit bigger overall.

Circumference

A tire’s circumference is the distance around its outer rim, typically expressed in inches.
The size of the tire gives an approximation of the circumference.
The actual circumference can vary depending on the tire’s construction, wear, and inflation pressure.

The circumference of the 245/75R17 tire is about 98.86 inches. The circumference of the 265/70R17 tire is approximately 99.29 inches. The difference in circumference between the two tires is 0.43 inches.

The circumference of the 265/70R17 tire is slightly longer, roughly 0.04 percent longer than that of the 245/75R17 tire.

Sidewall Height

Sidewall height refers to the distance between the rim of a tire and the outer edge of the tire’s tread, measured vertically.

Tires with shorter sidewall heights typically provide better handling and stability at high speeds.
Tires with taller sidewall heights generally provide a smoother ride and better shock absorption on rough roads.

The 245/75R17 tire has a sidewall height of about 7.23 inches. The 265/70R17 tire has a sidewall height of about 7.30 inches. The 265/70R17 tire has a slightly taller sidewall than the 245/75R17 tire.

Even though the difference is only 0.07 inches, it can change the tire’s overall diameter and circumference. The 265/70R17 tire is broader, but the 245/75R17 tire is taller.

Width

Width refers to measuring the tire from one sidewall to another in millimeters.
It is usually the first number in a tire’s size designation.

The width of a tire is a crucial factor in how it performs.
A wider tire can make the car more stable and give it a bigger area of contact with the road, improving its handling and grip. However, it can also reduce fuel efficiency.
When it comes to fuel economy and handling, tires can perform differently depending on the vehicle type.

The width of the 245/75R17 tire is 245 mm, which is less than the width of the 265/70R17 tire, which is 265 mm. Their widths differ by 20 mm.

This means that the 265/70R17 tire will have a bigger area of contact with the road than the 245/75R17 tire. This will give the 265/70R17 tire better grip and stability.

Section Width

The section width (also called cross-section width) of a tire is the horizontal distance across the tread area, measured from sidewall to sidewall without considering any raised letters, decorations, or protective ribs.

Section width is measured when a tire is mounted and inflated on a specified rim width.
It is typically measured at the widest point of the tire’s tread.
If a tire has a section width of 245mm, its width from sidewall to sidewall is 245 millimeters when mounted on a specified rim width and inflated to the recommended pressure.

The 245/75R17 has a section width of 9.65 inches. The 265/70R17 has a section width of 10.43 inches. The difference in section width between the 245/75R17 and 265/70R17 tires is approximately 0.78 inches.

This means that the 265/70R17 tire is slightly wider than the 245/75R17 tire. This gives the 265/70R17 tire better grip and handling, especially when it is wet or slippery.

Tread Width

Tread width refers to the width of the part of a tire that makes contact with the road.

This is the width of the tire’s contact patch at its widest point, from side to side.
The tread width of your tires can affect how they wear.
It’s possible that a wider tread width will wear more evenly and have a longer lifespan than a narrower one.

The tire manufacturer specifies the tread width, usually measured in millimeters or inches.

The tread width of the 245/75R17 tire is 9.6 inches. The tread width of the 265/70R17 tire is 10.4 inches. The difference between their tread widths is about 0.8 inches. This means the 265/70R17 tire has a larger contact area with the road surface.

Revolutions Per Mile (RPM)

Revolutions per mile (RPM) on a tire is the number of times the tire spins around its axis when the vehicle goes one mile.

A tire’s RPM depends on several things, such as its size, aspect ratio, overall diameter, gear ratio, and transmission.
To calculate the RPM of a tire, you can divide the distance traveled in one minute (in feet) by the tire’s circumference (in feet).
Tire RPM can shift in response to vehicle speed, load, tire pressure, and tire wear changes.

The revolutions per mile of the 245/75R17 tire are approximately 640. The revolutions per mile of the 265/70R17 tire are around 638. The difference in revolutions per mile between the two tires is only 2 revolutions, which is relatively small.

However, a difference in revolutions per mile can affect the speedometer’s and odometer’s accuracy, fuel economy, and performance.

Radius

The radius of a tire is the distance between its center and its outermost edge or circumference.

Radius determines the tire’s overall size, impacting its performance and handling.
Tires with a larger radius have a longer circumference and travel further with each rotation.
Tires with a larger radius can be more cumbersome to maneuver and consume more fuel because of their increased weight and reduced maneuverability.

To determine the radius, divide the tire’s overall diameter in half. A tire with a diameter of 20 inches would have a radius of 10 inches.

The 245/75R17 tire has a radius of 15.73 inches. The 265/70R17 tire has a radius of 15.80 inches. The difference between them in radius is about 0.07 inches, which is relatively small. In my experience, the radius of a particular tire does not affect the tire unless the difference is huge.

Rim Diameter

Rim diameter refers to the wheel rim size that the tire is meant to fit onto.

It measures the distance between the rim’s edges, passing through the center.
If a tire’s rim diameter differs from the wheel’s diameter, it won’t fit properly and may affect safety, handling, and braking.
The tire’s rim diameter is crucial. The number after “R” in the tire size indicates the rim size.

The 245/75R17 has a rim diameter of 17 inches. The 265/70R17 tire also has a rim diameter of 17 inches. This means both tires have the same rim diameter and wheel size and can be installed on the same wheel chassis.

Rim Width Range

Rim width range on a tire refers to the recommended range of rim widths that can safely and effectively accommodate that particular tire size.
A tire with a rim width range of 6.5-8.5 inches is made to fit on wheels between 6.5 and 8.5 inches wide.

Tire handling, vehicle stability, and tire life can all suffer if you choose a rim width that is too narrow or too wide relative to what the manufacturer recommends.

The 245/75R17 tire has a rim width range of 6.50 to 8 inches. The 265/70R17 tire has a rim width range of 7 to 9 inches. This means that the 245/75R17 tire is made to fit on rims between 6.50 and 8 inches wide, while the 265/70R17 tire is made to fit on rims between 7 and 9 inches wide.

The difference between the two tire sizes’ rim width ranges means that they are made to fit on different types of rims. The 245/75R17 tire fits better on narrower rims, while the 265/70R17 tire fits better on wider rims.

Speedometer Reading

The speedometer reading is the speed shown on a vehicle’s dashboard
The speed sensor determines the speedometer reading.

The speedometer on the 245/75R17 tire reads about 80 miles per hour (mph) at 60 mph, while the speedometer on the 265/70R17 tire reads about 85 mph at 60 mph.

This means that at the same speed, the 265/70R17 tire will make the speedometer read faster than the 245/75R17 tire. This is because the 265/70R17 tire’s bigger diameter makes it spin faster than the 245/75R17 tire’s smaller diameter.

This speedometer error is very small. The difference between tires of different sizes is small and won’t cause problems on the highway.

Actual Speed (km/h)

The actual speed of the car is the speed at which it travels.

In contrast, the actual speed can depend on several factors, such as the size and condition of the tires, as well as the calibration of the speedometer.

On a speedometer reading of 60 km/h, the 245/75R17 tire travels at 60.3 km/h (16.75 m/s approx.). Despite both tires showing 60 km/h on the speedometer, the 265/70R17 travels at 59.7 km/h (16.58 m/s approx.).

Their actual speeds differ by 0.6 km/h (0.17 m/s). So, if these two tires went at the same speed, the 245/75R17 tire would go almost 600 meters farther than the 265/70R17 tire.

The 245/75R17 tire is about 0.17 m/s faster than the 265/70R17 tire when both are traveling at a speedometer reading of 60 km/h.

245 75r17 vs 265 70r17 Tire Size – Additional Comparison Table

Build Material	Synthetic Rubber, Durable Rubber	Synthetic Rubber, Durable Rubber	None
Construction Type	Radial-Ply Tire	Radial-Ply Tire	None
Tire Price	100 – 500 USD	100 – 800 USD
Clearance	Clearance changes to 2 mm

Build Material

The 245/75R17 and the 265/70R17 are tires that are primarily used in SUVs and off-road cars. These tires use synthetic rubber for their inner liners and durable rubber for the tread. They use nylon and polyester for their body piles.

Construction Type

The construction type of a tire refers to how the tire is constructed or built.

There are generally two types of tire construction: bias-ply and radial-ply.

What is Radial Tire?

Radial tires have cords or plies that run perpendicular to the direction of travel and radially from the center.
Radial tires have steel or synthetic cords or plies arranged in a radial pattern from the center.

Radial tires are more fuel efficient, last longer, and handle better at high speeds.
Radial tires ride smoother and are more puncture-resistant than bias-ply tires.

The 245/75R17 tire has a construction type of radial ply. The 265/70R17 tire is also made using the same radial ply method.

This means both of these tires have superior radial ply technology. In terms of durability, both tires are on par with each other, so you don’t need to worry about this part.

Tire Price

The 245/75R17 and the 265/70R17 tires are wide and grippy. They are usually found in SUVs and heavy-duty vehicles. Because their functions and sizes are similar, their prices are usually comparable.

Depending on the brand and quality, the 245/75R17 can cost as little as $100 or as much as $500. The 265/70R17 tire is wider than the 245/75R17 tire.

Because of this, it costs more than the 245/75R17 tire. The 265/70R17 tire can cost anywhere from $100 to $800, depending on the brand and quality.

Clearance

Clearance is the amount of space between the tire and other parts of the car, like the suspension, fenders, and wheel wells.
When choosing a tire size, it’s important to ensure enough space between the tire and the vehicle to avoid rubbing or other problems that could damage the tire or the vehicle.

How much clearance you need will depend on your vehicle, tire size, and things like how your suspension is set up and how you drive.

The clearance difference between the 245/75R17 and the 265/70R17 is 2 mm, or 0.1 inches.

My Verdict

In my experience, the 245/75R17 and the 265/70R17 tires are excellent. However, I do believe there is a clear winner here. After reviewing the differences between 245/75R17 and 265/70R17 tires, the 245/75R17 is the better choice for most people. I have chosen the 245/75R17 for a couple of crucial reasons.

Even though they are about the same width, the 245 tire has a slightly smaller diameter and circumference than the 265. This makes it easier to control and reduces rolling resistance. The 245 also has a few more turns per mile, which lets it go a little farther.

The 245/75R17 has greater acceleration compared to the 265/70R17. I would recommend the 245/75R17 tire if you’re looking for a tire that is easy to control and durable over long distances.

Conclusion

In this article, I’ve discussed everything you need to know about the 245/75R17 and 265/70R17 tire sizes. When comparing the 245/75R17 vs 265/70R17 tires, it’s important to consider the specific needs of your vehicle and driving style.

The broader tread on the 265/70R17 tire may make it handle and turn a little better, but the taller sidewalls and smaller overall diameter of the 245/75R17 tire give it better grip and stability off-road and when carrying a heavy load. Due to its higher weight rating, the 245/75R17 tire may also be a better choice for vehicles that need to carry more weight.

245 75r17 vs 265 70r17 Tire Size: Spot The Comparison