A 295/70R17 tire measures about 33.3 inches tall, with specific models publishing diameters from 33.26 to 33.5 inches.
For the full breakdown, see our best 295/70R17 Tires guide.
A 295/70R17 tire sits around 33.3 inches tall on the spec sheet before any vehicle weight comes down on it. That puts the size squarely in the 33-inch class, though published heights run from roughly 33.26 inches to 33.5 inches depending on the brand and tread design. The spread looks small, but for a truck with tight clearance or stock gearing, even a quarter inch can matter.
Knowing where the numbers come from, and which ones move between brands, makes ordering the right set far simpler.
What The Numbers 295/70R17 Actually Mean
The 295/70R17 code spells out the tire’s width, sidewall ratio, construction type, and wheel diameter, in that order.
The 295 is the section width in millimeters, which is roughly 11.6 inches. Most models in this size list a section width between 11.6 and 11.8 inches. The 70 is the aspect ratio, meaning the sidewall is 70 percent of the width. That works out to about 206.5 mm, or 8.1 inches, of sidewall above and below the wheel.
Add two sidewalls of 206.5 mm to the 431.8 mm (17-inch) wheel diameter and the total comes to about 845 mm, which converts to 33.26 inches. That calculation lines up with the lower end of the published range.
Why Isn’t Every 295/70R17 Exactly 33.3 Inches?
Published heights vary because each manufacturer uses its own casing shape, tread depth, and measurement conventions, so this size is an approximate description rather than a guaranteed height.
TireSize.com’s 295/70R17 reference shows the spread clearly: comparison charts list as low as 33.26 inches, many all-terrain and mud-terrain models show 33.3 or 33.4 inches, and the Mickey Thompson Baja Legend MTZ runs 33.5 inches. Most models log about 624 revolutions per mile, with some listing 625.
Common examples pulled from TireSize.com’s model listings:
| Tire Model | Published Height | Section Width |
|---|---|---|
| Nitto Recon Grappler A/T | 33.31 in | 11.77 in |
| Toyo Open Country R/T | 33.3 in | 11.8 in |
| BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 | 33.3 in | 11.8 in |
| Falken Wildpeak M/T | 33.4 in | 11.7 in |
The spread matters most when clearances are tight. A truck set up for a true 33-inch tire clears every listing in this size, while one trimmed for exactly 33.0 inches needs a closer look at the 33.5-inch mud-terrain before committing.
Load Ratings And Fitment: What The Size Doesn’t Tell You
A 295/70R17 size alone doesn’t fix the load capacity, speed rating, or approved rim width — those vary by model.
The LT prefix itself signals light-truck construction: heavier casing, higher pressure, and different load behavior than a comparable non-LT sizing, so check what the vehicle’s door sticker calls for before swapping.
Revolutions per mile deserve attention too. Because a taller 295/70R17 covers more ground per revolution than a shorter factory tire, the speedometer will read slightly lower than actual speed unless the truck is recalibrated.
For comparing leading candidates, our roundup of the best 295/70R17 tires pairs the real-world trade-offs of popular models side by side.
FAQs
Do 295/70R17 tires measure closer to 33 or 34 inches?
They measure closer to 33. Published diameters for 295/70R17 tires run from about 33.26 inches to 33.5 inches across brands, with 33.3 inches the most common spec-sheet figure. Once mounted and loaded, a tire sits slightly shorter than its unloaded published number.
What does the 70 in 295/70R17 mean?
The 70 is the aspect ratio: the sidewall height is 70 percent of the 295 mm section width, or about 8.1 inches. It has no direct bearing on width or wheel size, and a lower number means a shorter sidewall.
Will 295/70R17 tires throw off the speedometer?
Usually by a small amount. The size of the gap depends on the original tire’s height, and many newer trucks can be recalibrated for the new size.
References & Sources
- TireSize.com. “295/70R17 Tires.” Published diameter, section width, and revolutions-per-mile figures for the size range.