About Section Width
If you’ve ever wondered, “What is the width of a tire?” it might be a little more complicated than you think.
Section width is not the overall width of the tire. It is the measurement of the outer sidewall’s widest point to the inner sidewall’s widest point. Per industry standards: section width is measured on an inflated tire without a load after it has been mounted on a proper wheel assembly. It can also be heavily influenced by the width of the wheel on which the tire is mounted.
For example: the section width on a tire mounted on a narrow rim would be narrower than if the same exact tire were mounted on a wider rim. So there is a specific rim width range designated for every tire size. Tires should only be mounted on wheels within the tire manufacturer’s predetermined width range.
The operating section width of a tire can be affected by other factors such as air pressure and load weight. Therefore it is important to understand that the section width of a tire is used for sizing purposes only.
Tire dimensions can seem a little complicated but essentially they are all describing various heights and widths across the entire tire.
If you’re unsure what tire size or type is best for you, you can use Treadwell, our intuitive tire buying guide that uses data you input such as commute, vehicle make and model, and weather conditions to help you choose the right tire!
SECTION WIDTH ON METRIC TIRES
If you are driving on a metric tire, which is a tire measured in metric sizing, the sidewall code will look something like this: 215/65/R17 99H.
There are also P-metric tires, which are passenger tires, and read like this: P215/65/R17 99H. The first number set in the code indicates the section width of your tire. In both cases, the section width is 215 millimeters wide.
While both are the same size, there can be slight differences in their performance so it's best to have all 4 tires of the same type. We go into more detail about Euro vs. P-metric tires elsewhere.
SECTION WIDTH ON HIGH FLOTATION TIRES
High flotation tires are typically found on light trucks and some ATV/UTV vehicles. The sidewall code will look something like this: 31X10.50/R-15. Here, the number set that represents section width is the second set, not the first, as 10.50. High flotation tires are measured in inches, so the example reads 10.50 inches.
It's pretty handy to learn how to read a tire sidewall for future reference. If you find yourself needing to calculate your tire size from a size equivalent, we offer you a tire size calculator for your convenience.
If you have any questions or require any assistance, stop by any of our America's Tire locations and we'll get you taken care of!
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