Which Tire is Wider: 55 or 65 Aspect Ratio Explained

Learn whether a 55 or 65 tire aspect ratio means a wider tire and how to correctly interpret tire width specifications.

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In tire specifications, the 55 and 65 refer to the aspect ratio of the tire's height to its width. The width of the tire is denoted by the first number in the tire size. For example, in P215/55R17 and P215/65R17, both tires have the same width of 215 millimeters. Therefore, to determine which tire is wider, you need to compare the first number, not the aspect ratio.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What does the number 55 or 65 mean on a tire? The numbers 55 and 65 represent the tire's aspect ratio, which is the height of the tire's sidewall expressed as a percentage of the tire's width.
  2. Does a 65 aspect ratio tire have a wider tire width than a 55? No, the aspect ratio affects the sidewall height, not the width. The tire width is indicated by the first number in the tire size, which remains the same in both cases if that number does not change.
  3. How do I determine which tire is wider? To determine tire width, look at the first number in the tire size (for example, 215 in P215/55R17), which represents the tire’s width in millimeters.

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