What is the size of a 16/70-20 tire?
3 Answers
16/70-20 tire size refers to a tire with a section width of 16 inches, an aspect ratio of 70, and a load index of 20. In the loader tire specification "16/70-20," 16 indicates the section width is 16 inches, 70 means the tire's aspect ratio is 70% (the ratio of the tire's sidewall height to its tread width), generally ranging between 30% and 80%, and the load index is 20. Tire section width refers to the maximum distance between the two outer sides of a tire when inflated to the specified pressure, typically divided in 5mm increments, though new tires have a section width tolerance of 63%. Section height is half the difference between the tire's outer diameter and the nominal rim diameter when inflated. The aspect ratio is calculated by dividing the section height by the section width and multiplying by 100. The aspect ratio on tire specifications is displayed as a percentage (with the percent sign usually omitted), commonly seen as 80, 75, 70, 65, 60, or 55. The load index represents the maximum load a single tire can bear, expressed as a code. Tire model specifications are typically marked on the tire sidewall, displaying information such as tire size, aspect ratio, tread width, etc.
As a guy who frequently works on cars, I've seen all kinds of tire size issues. Tire sizes are usually written in the format of width/aspect ratio R diameter, such as the common 205/60R16. This means a width of 205mm, an aspect ratio of 60% (meaning the tire height is 60% of the width), R stands for radial tire, and 16 is the rim diameter in inches. Your notation of 16/70-20 is non-standard; perhaps 16 refers to a width of approximately 165mm (conversion error), 70 is an aspect ratio of 70%, and 20 might be a diameter of 20 inches? But this would be unusual, as rim size affects vehicle handling—too large or too small requires matching the original vehicle specs. The tire size is printed on the sidewall; I recommend checking the actual tire or consulting the manual to confirm. Choosing the wrong size can accelerate wear and compromise safety. Always measure correctly before changing tires yourself to avoid the high risk of blowouts due to incorrect sizing.
When I first bought a car, I was completely confused about tires, but now I understand that size is key. A format like 16/70-20 generally indicates width, aspect ratio, and wheel size. The 16 might be an approximate width in millimeters, 70 represents the tire height as 70% of the width, and 20 likely refers to a 20-inch wheel? But this isn’t common; standard sizes like 195/65R15 are much easier to read. Tire size directly affects fuel efficiency and comfort—narrow tires save fuel but are bumpy, while wide tires offer better grip but consume more fuel. My advice is to check the numbers on the tire itself or consult a tire shop to avoid using the wrong size, which could cause stability issues—safety comes first. Always double-check the manufacturer’s recommended specs before changing tires.
