265/75R16 vs 235/85R16

Q: Can I replace 265/75R16 with 235/85R16?

235/85R16 is a safe swap for 265/75R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.25%.

235/85R16 is a safe swap for 265/75R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.25%.

265/75R16 31.65" · 235/85R16 31.73" · drawn to scale

Side by side

	265/75R16	235/85R16	Difference
Overall diameter	31.65"	31.73"	+0.08" (+0.25%)
Section width	265 mm	235 mm	-30 mm
Sidewall	7.82"	7.86"	+0.04"
Rim	16"	16"	same
Circumference	99.4"	99.7"	+0.2"
Revs per mile	637	636	-2
Ride height	—	—	+0.04"
Speedometer reads 60 mph	60.0	60.1	+0.1 mph

Speedometer and odometer

With 235/85R16 on a car calibrated for 265/75R16, the speedometer reads 59.9 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.2%.

Speedo shows	Actual speed
30 mph	30.1 mph
45 mph	45.1 mph
60 mph	60.1 mph
70 mph	70.2 mph
80 mph	80.2 mph

Other sizes close to 265/75R16

Questions

Can I replace 265/75R16 with 235/85R16?

235/85R16 is a safe swap for 265/75R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.25%.

What's the difference between 265/75R16 and 235/85R16?

235/85R16 is 0.08" taller and 30 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.04". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.1 mph.

Will 235/85R16 fit on 265/75R16 wheels?

Both use a 16" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 235 mm tire and the fender clearance.