Imagine you’re a proud truck owner, and you’ve decided it’s time to give your ride a fresh set of 35-inch tires. But wait! What does that 35-inch number even mean? Is it as simple as picking any tire labeled as ’35 inches’, or is there more to it?
If you’re scratching your head trying to navigate the labyrinth of tire sizes, you’re not alone. So, buckle up as we embark on a journey to demystify tire sizes and help you find the perfect tires for your truck.
What Size Is A 35 Inch Tire
A 35-inch tire refers to the tire’s overall diameter, but the metric tire size can vary based on tread width (section width) and wheel diameter. For instance, both 315/75/16 and 295/65/20 metric size tires are approximately 35 inches in diameter.
In this article, we’ll break down how to read tire sizes on sidewalls, how to achieve an overall diameter of 35 inches with different tire sizes, how to use a tire size calculator to find various tire sizes that fit, and we’ll answer some commonly asked questions about 35-inch tires.
Let’s take a closer look.
Using the Calculator to Determine Tire Sizes
Alright, you’ve made it this far! We’ve done a lot of talking about tire sizes and all the nitty-gritty details. But let’s be honest, doing the math every time you want to figure out the right tire size can be a bit of a headache, right? Well, fear not! I’ve got a cool tool to help make this process a lot simpler: the tire size calculator.
The tire size calculator is an awesome tool that lets you plug in some numbers and it does all the math for you. Here’s how you can use it:
Inputting Tire Diameter and Rim Size
First things first, you’ll need to know your desired tire diameter and rim size. In our case, we’re working with a 35-inch tire diameter, so we’d input ’35’ in the tire diameter section. And let’s say we’re working with a 20-inch rim, so we’d input ’20’ in the rim size section.
Adjusting the Section Width Slider
Now comes the fun part! Once you’ve input your desired tire diameter and rim size, you’ll see a slider for the section width. You can move this slider left or right to see how changing the section width affects the tire size.
As you move the slider, the calculator will automatically update the aspect ratio to give you a tire size that maintains your desired overall diameter and rim size. Pretty cool, huh?
Using our example, if we move the slider to ‘295’, the calculator will tell us that the aspect ratio needed to maintain a 35-inch overall diameter on a 20-inch rim is approximately ’65’. So, we’d have a 295/65/20 tire!
Just remember, the numbers you get from the calculator are estimates. Always double-check with a tire professional or your vehicle’s manual to make sure the tires you choose are right for your vehicle.
Wheel Width Tire Size Calculator
Once your determine what size tire you need you’ll need to make sure it’ll fit on your wheel. A 17″ wheel, for instance, is available in different widths. A narrow wheel is best for narrower tires and obviously wider wheels work best for wide tires.
This calculator allows you to easily determine the optimal tire width for your wheel width. You can usually find the width of your current wheels etched or molded onto the back side of the wheel somewhere.
Understanding Tire Sizes
So you’re standing in front of a wall of tires at your local auto shop, staring at those numbers on the sidewalls, and you’re probably thinking, “What on earth do all these numbers mean?” No worries! I’m here to help you decode the secret language of tire sizes.
Let’s use a random tire size as our guide for this journey: 315/75/16. Now, this might look like a secret code, but once we crack it, it will make a lot of sense.
- 315: This is the section width or the tread width. It’s simply the width of the tire measured in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall. In our example, the tire is 315 millimeters wide.
- 75: This number is the aspect ratio. Now, this one is a bit tricky, but stick with me here. This number tells you the height of the tire’s cross-section (from the rim to the tread) as a percentage of the width. In our case, the height of the tire is 75% of 315 millimeters.
- 16: Finally, this number is the wheel diameter. It’s the size of the wheel (or rim) that the tire is supposed to fit. It’s measured from one end of the wheel to the other and it’s given in inches. So, our example tire fits a 16-inch wheel.
In essence, our 315/75/16 tire is 315mm wide, has a height that’s 75% of its width, and fits on a 16-inch wheel. Now, you might be wondering, “What about the 35 inches part?” Good question! That’s actually the overall diameter of the tire. In our case, if you do the math, this tire will stand about 35 inches tall when it’s fully inflated.
Just remember, there are quite a few metric tire sizes that can give you a 35-inch diameter. For instance, 295/80/17 is also approximately 35 inches in diameter. It’s just a bit narrower but taller than our 315/75/16 tire.
Achieving a 35-Inch Tire Diameter
Now that we’ve decoded the secret language of tire sizes, let’s talk about how you can achieve that magical 35-inch tire diameter. You might be asking, “Why 35 inches?” Well, for many trucks and off-road vehicles, a 35-inch tire hits the sweet spot between better ground clearance and keeping things comfortable for everyday driving.
But here’s the thing: achieving that 35-inch diameter isn’t as simple as picking any tire that says ’35’ on it. The actual diameter can vary based on the tire’s section width and aspect ratio, as well as the diameter of your vehicle’s wheel. Remember our tire decoding exercise? That’s going to come in handy now.
Let’s take a look at a few different tire sizes that could give us a 35-inch overall diameter.
315/75/16
First up, the 315/75/16 tire. We’ve met this one before! It’s about 315mm wide and fits a 16-inch wheel. Its overall diameter is around 35 inches, making it a solid choice for a beefy, off-road look on your truck.
305/70/17
Next, let’s consider a 305/70/17 tire. It’s a smidge narrower than our first tire, which could mean slightly less grip off-road, but possibly better fuel efficiency. This one also fits a larger 17-inch wheel. But even with these differences, its overall diameter is still about 35 inches.
295/65/20
Finally, let’s look at a 295/65/20 tire. This one’s even narrower and fits a bigger 20-inch wheel. It might not look as beefy as the first tire, but hey, it still measures around 35 inches in diameter.
Notice something? Even though all these tires have different sizes, they all result in an approximate 35-inch overall diameter. It’s a mix-and-match game with the section width, aspect ratio, and wheel diameter. But remember, always ensure the tires you choose are suitable for your specific vehicle and driving conditions.
Speaking of wheels, remember that the wheel size has a significant role in achieving your desired tire diameter. Different wheel sizes (20, 19, 18, 17, 16 inches, etc.) will require different tire sizes to maintain a 35-inch tire diameter. Always consider the wheel size before choosing your tires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are 315 Tires the Same as 35?
A 315 tire isn’t necessarily the same as a 35-inch tire. However, when paired with the correct aspect ratio and wheel diameter, such as 75 and 16 inches respectively, a 315 tire can equate to a 35-inch diameter. Remember, the 315 number refers to the section width in millimeters. The overall diameter is calculated using all three numbers: section width, aspect ratio, and wheel diameter.
Are 305 Tires the Same as 35?
Similar to the 315 tire, a 305 tire isn’t automatically a 35-inch tire. But, when you have a 305 tire with an aspect ratio of around 70, fitted on a 17-inch rim, the overall diameter would approximately be 35 inches. Keep in mind, this is an approximation and actual dimensions may vary based on specific tire brands and models.
Are 295 Tires the Same as 35?
You’ve got it by now, right? A 295 tire isn’t inherently a 35-inch tire. However, if you have a 295 section width tire with an aspect ratio of 65, and it’s on a 20-inch rim, you’ve got yourself a tire with an overall diameter of roughly 35 inches.
What Size is a 35-Inch Tire on a 20-Inch Rim?
To achieve a 35-inch diameter on a 20-inch rim, you might use a 295/65/20 tire. But remember, this is just one of the possible combinations. Always verify the tire size with your vehicle’s manual or consult a tire professional.
What is the Circumference of a 35-Inch Tire?
When we talk about a 35-inch tire, we’re referring to its diameter, not the circumference. But if you’re interested in knowing the circumference, the formula to calculate is pi times the diameter. For a 35-inch tire, the circumference would be approximately 110 inches, or about 2794 millimeters. This is a rough estimate and can vary based on the actual tire specifications.
Resources
Below are some links you may find helpful when learning about tires
- Tire size equivalent chart for 33″, 35″, 37″ or 40″ tires – Tire Buyer
- Tire size calculator and metric to standard size conversion tool – Quadratec
Final Thoughts
Remember that feeling of bewilderment when trying to decode tire sizes for your truck? It’s safe to say we’ve left that far behind! You’ve journeyed through the maze of tire size terminology and emerged as a tire-sizing champ, ready to find the perfect set of 35-inch tires for your ride.
The key takeaway here is that a tire’s overall diameter, in our case, 35 inches, isn’t determined solely by a single number. Instead, it’s a calculated interplay of section width, aspect ratio, and wheel diameter. The options are many – a 315/75/16, a 305/70/17, or a 295/65/20 tire, among others, all can give you that coveted 35-inch tire diameter, depending on your specific needs and the wheels on your vehicle.
Good luck and happy motoring.
