What does 215-65R16 mean?

Tire sizes are easy to understand once you learn how to read them.  On this page you'll find a color-coded explanation of the 215-65R16 tire code.

215

This number indicates that your tire has a width of 215 millimeters.

16

The tire size was designed to fit rims or wheels that are 16 inches in diameter.

65

This number means that your tire has an aspect ratio of 65%.  In other words, your tire's sidewall height (from the edge of the rim to the tire's tread) is 65% of the width.  In this case, the sidewall height works out to be 139 millimeters.

R

This letter denotes how your tire was constructed.  Radial is the standard construction method for about 99% of all tires sold today.

RRadial
BBias Belt
DDiagonal