205/70R15 in inches

A 205/70R15 tire is 26.3″ tall and 8.1″ wide, and fits a 15″ wheel. In inches it is written 26.3×8.1R15.

Diameter26.30″

Width8.07″

Sidewall5.65″

Drawn to scale. Nominal dimensions calculated from the size code.

Manufacturer data

How tall 205/70R15 tires really are

Heights published by General and Toyo for all 4 tires in this size. Their published revolutions per mile work out to 25.5–25.6″ under load (below).

Real 205/70R15 tires measure 26.30–26.34″, against 26.30″ from the size code. Most run taller than the size code (3 of 4).

Height under load25.5–25.6″

Published revs per mile (789–790) mean the tire rolls like a 25.5–25.6″ tire on the vehicle. Use this for speedometer calibration.

Weight spread20.7–26.5 lb

The lightest (General AltiMAX RT45, SL) is 5.8 lb lighter per corner than the heaviest (Toyo Observe G3-Ice, XL).

4 tires in 205/70R15

Sort by the spec you care about.

	Load					Revs/mi	Source
General AltiMAX RT45Touring	SL · 96T	26.30	20.7	11.0	1,565	790	Spec page
Toyo Celsius IITouring	SL · 96T	26.34	22.8	11.2	1,565	789	Spec page
Toyo Extensa A/S IIAll-season	SL · 95T	26.34	23.6	11.2	1,499	789	Spec page
Toyo Observe G3-IceWinter	XL · 100T	26.34	26.5	12.5	1,764	789	Spec page

Is 205/70R15 a 26-inch tire?

≈26″

Yes. The size code works out to 26.30″, and the 4 tires here publish 26.30–26.34″, so people call it a 26.

Compare with nearby sizes

Differences in overall diameter, calculated from each size code.

Size	Diameter ″	vs 205/70R15	Difference
205/65R15	25.49	-0.81″	-3.1%
225/60R15	25.63	-0.67″	-2.5%
195/70R15	25.75	-0.55″	-2.1%
215/65R15	26.00	-0.30″	-1.1%
235/60R15	26.10	-0.20″	-0.7%
245/60R15	26.57	+0.28″	+1.0%
295/50R15	26.61	+0.31″	+1.2%
215/70R15	26.85	+0.55″	+2.1%
255/60R15	27.05	+0.75″	+2.8%
205/75R15	27.11	+0.81″	+3.1%

How to read 205/70R15

How to read any tire size

How 205/70R15 96T is printed on the sidewall. It's the most common code among the 4 tires here (2 of them); tires in this size come in other load and speed ratings too.

1205Section width

205 mm across the widest point, or 8.07 inches. Every 205 size

270Aspect ratio

A percentage, not a measurement: the sidewall is 70% as tall as the tire is wide, which is 143.5 mm or 5.65 inches.

3RConstruction

Radial construction.

415Wheel diameter

Mounts on a 15-inch wheel. Approved wheel widths run 5.0″ to 7.0″.

596Load index

Each tire carries up to 1,565 lb (710 kg) at its maximum pressure.

6TSpeed rating

Rated for up to 118 mph sustained.

Specification	Inches	Metric
Overall diameter	26.30	668 mm
Section width	8.07	205 mm
Sidewall height	5.65	143.5 mm
Circumference	82.6	2,099 mm
Revolutions per mile (calculated, unloaded)	766.9	477 per km
Revolutions per mile (published by manufacturers)	789–790	490–491 per km
Approved wheel width	5.0–7.0	127–178 mm

Speedometer error after switching to 205/70R15

Your actual speed– mph

Questions about 205/70R15

What is 205/70R15 in inches?

26.30 inches tall, 8.07 inches wide, on a 15-inch wheel. Written in inches, that is roughly 26.3×8.1R15.

How much does a 205/70R15 tire weigh?

Between 20.7 lb and 26.5 lb for the 4 tires listed here. The lightest is the General AltiMAX RT45 (SL); the heaviest is the Toyo Observe G3-Ice (XL).

What wheel width do I need for 205/70R15?

Manufacturers approve 5.0–7.0″ wide wheels for this size.

How many revolutions per mile does a 205/70R15 make?

Published figures run 789–790 revolutions per mile. The calculated figure is 766.9, but manufacturers measure the tire under load, where it rolls on a smaller radius.

How much taller is 205/70R15 than 235/60R15?

0.20 inches taller on paper (26.30″ vs 26.10″), which raises the axle about 0.10″. Your speedometer will read about 0.8% slow.