Tire size speedometer calculator

The diameter percent is the speedometer percent.

Current size

A full stamp like 275/65R20 or 33x12.50R15, or the three numbers below.

New size
275/65R20 315/70R17 Diff
Diameter 34.1″ 34.4″ +0.8%
Width 10.8″ 12.4″ +14.5%
Sidewall 7.0″ 8.7″
Circumference 107.0″ 108.0″
Revs / mile 592 587

At 60 on the speedometer, actual speed is 60.5 mph (+0.8% diameter).

A tire size speedometer calculator only cares about overall diameter. The cluster counts wheel revolutions and assumes the stock circumference. A taller tire travels farther per revolution, so the cluster under-reads actual speed and distance by the same percent the diameter grew. The compare tool above is already open on 275/65R20 vs 315/70R17. The 60 mph line is this page for that pair.

The formula

Error % = (new diameter - stock diameter) / stock diameter × 100. Actual speed = indicated × (1 + error/100). A 5% taller tire at 60 indicated is 63 mph actual. A 5% shorter tire at 60 indicated is 57 mph actual.

Indicated 60 mph, various diameter changes.
Diameter changeActual speedAfter 100 indicated miles
-3%58.2 mph97.0 mi actual
0%60.0 mph100 mi actual
+3%61.8 mph103.0 mi actual
+6%63.6 mph106.0 mi actual

Why the odometer is in the same boat

Distance uses the same circumference assumption. A taller tire makes the odometer under-read. That matters for service intervals, leases and any math you do off the dash. GPS speed is the check: it does not care what is on the hubs.

Put the door-jamb size in A and the new size in B on the comparison. The 60 mph line is this table for your pair. The 33 vs 35 page is the 6% case people actually make.

Recalibration is a programmer, not a hope

Many trucks can have the tire diameter written into the BCM. That is the fix. Guessing a new speedo gear is the old fix. Leaving it is how you collect tickets and miss service.

Frequently asked questions

Does a wider tire change the speedometer?

Not by itself. Width changes the speedometer only if it comes with a diameter change, which it often does when aspect ratio stays the same.

Can I ignore a 1% change?

Most people do. At 60 indicated, 1% is 0.6 mph. A 3% change is the point where it is worth recalibrating.