CarSpecsHQ

235/75R16 vs 265/70R16

265/70R16 is a safe swap for 235/75R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.44%.

16" rim
235/75R16 29.88" · 265/70R16 30.61" · drawn to scale

Side by side

235/75R16265/70R16Difference
Overall diameter29.88"30.61"+0.73" (+2.44%)
Section width235 mm265 mm+30 mm
Sidewall6.94"7.30"+0.36"
Rim16"16"same
Circumference93.9"96.2"+2.3"
Revs per mile675659-16
Ride height——+0.36"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.5+1.5 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.5 mph

With 265/70R16 on a car calibrated for 235/75R16, the speedometer reads 58.6 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.4%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.7 mph
45 mph46.1 mph
60 mph61.5 mph
70 mph71.7 mph
80 mph82.0 mph

Other sizes close to 235/75R16

Questions

Can I replace 235/75R16 with 265/70R16?

265/70R16 is a safe swap for 235/75R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.44%.

What's the difference between 235/75R16 and 265/70R16?

265/70R16 is 0.73" taller and 30 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.36". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.5 mph.

Will 265/70R16 fit on 235/75R16 wheels?

Both use a 16" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 265 mm tire and the fender clearance.