It may be a little hard for people to know the measurement system of tires. But we need to be informed about this so that we can buy the right tires for our vehicle.
Is a 285 tire and a 33 tire the same? This article will answer that question.
The answer is yes. 285 refers to the width of the tire in millimeters. While 33 refers to the inches of the tires in diameter.
They are the same. 285/75/16 is the usual accepted metric equivalent size for a 33-inch tire.
You can have the following formula form to make everything clearer to you.
285 = the width of the tread in mm
75 = the height percentage of the sidewall in mm
(285 x .75 = 213.75 mm)
You should divide the mm by 25.4 to convert it to inches.
213.75 x 2 (sidewalls) = 427.5 mm / 25.4 = 16.831″
16.831 + 16″ (wheel) = 32.831″ approximate tire diameter
So, now you see that they are the same. If you want to know more about tire sizes, you can watch the following video:

How to Comprehend the Tire Sizes
Figuring out the size of a tire can be a task. To not be confused, a 285 tire which indicates 285/75/16 is the metric size for 33 inches.
Consider the following table:
Measurement | 33 inches tires (285/75/16) |
Diameter | 32.8” (883 mm) |
Width | 11.2” (285 mm) |
Sidewall | 8.4” (213 mm) |
Circumference | 103.1” (2619 mm) |
Revs/Mile | 615 (382mm) |
1. Prefix
It has 4 main categories.
- P (passenger car)
- T (temporary spare)
- LT (light truck)
- ST (trailer)
2. Section Width
This is the width of the tire in millimeters. It is labeled when the tire has the right width rim.
3. Aspect Ratio
The distance between the wheel rim surface and the tread.
4. Speed Rating
The Z-rated versions of high-quality tires. It is marked on the sidewall.
5. Construction in Tires
- R (radial-ply tire)
- D (out-of-date bias-ply tire)
Want to know the difference between the two tires? You can watch the following video:

6. BMC
The element in cutting a part of the vehicle. This is a safety feature in the chassis.
7. Size Tires
Size tires are the rim diameters. Inches are used in size tires.
How to Fit a 33 Inch Tire on Your Vehicle
-
Lift Kit
You need to install a lift kit with a minimum of 2”.
-
Wheel Offset
A 16 x 8 wheel offset is recommended.
-
Fender & Arch Trimming
You have to trim away a few plastic sections on the inner fender guards.
-
Sizes of Wheel Arches
A little trimming is needed to fit the 33” inch tires.
FAQs
How Do I Know If I Have 33 Inch Tires?
Tires sizes are usually displayed in inches. If you can read 33 x 12.5 R15, it is a 33-inches tire.
It can fit a 15-inch wheel. You can also know the size of your tire through the door jam of your vehicle.
What is a 285 Size Tire?
285 tires or 285/75R18 are tires with a diameter of 34.8″. It has a section width of 11.2″.
Its wheel is 18″.
How Many Inches is a 285 Tire?
The aspect ratio of a 285 tire or 285/75/R16 tire is 75% of 285mm. The computation is the following:
(285 x 75 / 2540 x 2) + 16 = 32.8 inches tall
What is the Actual Size of a 285 70R17 Tire?
The actual height is 32.7 inches.
What Does a 33 Inch Tire Mean?
The first number is the diameter of the tire. It means 33 inches in diameter or 33 inches tall.
The second number is the width of the tire. A .50 decimal is added in most cases.
How Wide is a 285 Tire Rim?
The rim width is 10.5, 11.0, and 11.5 inches.
Rim Width | Minimum Tire Width | Ideal Tire Width |
10.5 inches | 265 mm | 275 or 285 mm |
11.0 inches | 275 mm | 285 or 295 mm |
11.5 inches | 285 mm | 295 or 305 mm |
Is 285 a Wide Tire?
Yes, it is a wide tire. It is 33 inches in diameter which makes it wide.
Can You Fit a 285 Tire on a 9.5 Inch Rim?
Michelin’s website has claimed that a 285 tire is fine with a 9.5″ – 10.5″ inch rim. But a 9.5-inch rim may not be the ideal size.
Can You Put 285 Tires on 275 Rims?
Yes, 285 tires will be comfortable on 275 rims. They are the same in virtually all aspects.
What Size Tire is a 285 55R20?
This tire is a plus-sized version of 255/70R18 tires. Normally, you can find them on a Toyota Tundra.