Is 285/70R17 bigger than 285/75R16?

285/70R17 is 0.12 inches shorter and 0 mm wider. In overall diameter that is −0.37%, which stays inside the ±3% rule of thumb for a substitution.

How much will 285/70R17 throw off my speedometer?

Every reading scales by 0.99628. An indicated 60 mph becomes 59.8 mph, and every 100 miles on the odometer is really 99.6 miles.

How much does 285/70R17 change ground clearance over 285/75R16?

The axle centerline moves by 0.06 inches — half the diameter change, because half the extra height sits below the hub and half above it.

Will 285/70R17 fit where 285/75R16 fits?

Nothing derived from the size code can answer that. Clearance depends on wheel offset, suspension travel and body dimensions that no tire size contains. This page tells you exactly what changes dimensionally, which is the part that can be calculated.

285/75R16 vs 285/70R17

285/70R17 is −0.12″ in overall diameter and 0 mm in section width against 285/75R16 — a diameter change of −0.37%, which stays inside the ±3% substitution rule. An indicated 60 mph would really be 59.8 mph.

Within 3%

Every dimension

Difference between 285/75R16 and 285/70R17
Dimension	285/75R16 → 285/70R17	Change
Overall diameter	32.83″ → 32.71″	−0.12″ (−0.37%)
Section width	285 mm → 285 mm	0 mm (0.00%)
Sidewall height	213.8 mm → 199.5 mm	−14.3 mm
Rolling circumference	103.14″ → 102.76″	−0.38″
Revolutions per mile	614.3 → 616.6	+2.3
Axle height / clearance	16.42″ → 16.35″	−0.06″

285/75R16285 mm

285/70R17285 mm

285/75R16 32.83″285/70R17 32.71″

Which is taller, 285/75R16 or 285/70R17?

285/75R16 is the taller of the two, at 32.83″ against 32.71″. The gap is 0.12 inches, or 3.1 mm.

Both are metric sizes, so neither states its height directly. Both figures below are derived from the section width, aspect ratio and wheel diameter in the code. 285/75R16 is 285 mm wide with a 213.8 mm sidewall on a 16″ wheel; 285/70R17 is 285 mm wide with a 199.5 mm sidewall on a 17″ wheel.

What the speedometer will read

Indicated versus actual speed after the size change
Speedometer reads	Actual speed	Error
25 mph	24.9 mph	−0.1 mph
40 mph	39.9 mph	−0.1 mph
55 mph	54.8 mph	−0.2 mph
60 mph	59.8 mph	−0.2 mph
70 mph	69.7 mph	−0.3 mph
80 mph	79.7 mph	−0.3 mph

Fitting 285/70R17 in place of 285/75R16 multiplies every speed and distance reading by 0.99628. Over 10,000 indicated miles the odometer is out by −37 miles.

Effective gearing moves by the same proportion. A vehicle with 3.73 axles running 285/75R16 would need 3.72 to keep the same engine speed on 285/70R17. Work it out for your own axle ratio.

Full specification of each size

285/75R16

Derived dimensions for 285/75R16
Dimension	Metric	Imperial
Section width	285.0 mm	11.22″
Sidewall height	213.8 mm	8.42″
Wheel diameter	406.4 mm	16.0″
Overall diameter	833.9 mm	32.83″
Rolling circumference	2,619.8 mm	103.14″
Revolutions per mile	381.7 / km	614.3 / mile
Measuring rim (estimate)	203 mm	8″

285/70R17

Derived dimensions for 285/70R17
Dimension	Metric	Imperial
Section width	285.0 mm	11.22″
Sidewall height	199.5 mm	7.85″
Wheel diameter	431.8 mm	17.0″
Overall diameter	830.8 mm	32.71″
Rolling circumference	2,610.0 mm	102.76″
Revolutions per mile	383.1 / km	616.6 / mile
Measuring rim (estimate)	216 mm	8.5″

Rim widths differ too: 285/75R16 is designed for 7.5″–9″ and 285/70R17 for 8″–9.5″. Their measuring rims differ, so the same wheel will not be ideal for both.

Can you swap one for the other?

Inside the ±3% rule

The diameter difference of −0.37% is within the ±3% that fitters use as the boundary for a substitution, so the speedometer, odometer and wheel-speed-derived systems stay close enough to calibration. The section width difference of 0 mm is a separate question and is the one that decides whether it rubs.

Neither figure says anything about physical fitment. Whether 285/70R17 clears the strut, the fender liner and the steering stops depends on wheel offset and suspension geometry that a size code does not encode. For maintenance rather than sizing, Car Basics covers tire care.