TreadSize

Decoded sidewall size

125/70R16 tire size

125/70R16 in inches: 22.89" overall diameter — 4.92" wide, 3.44" sidewall.

Methodology: dimensions are calculated from standard ETRTO tire-size formulas. Last reviewed June 2026 by the TreadSize editorial team.

125/70R16 tire detail photo with TreadSize diameter, width, and rim measurement card
Overall diameter 22.89 in 581.4 mm
Section width 4.92 in 125 mm
Sidewall height 3.44 in 87.5 mm
Revs / mile 881 speedo calibration

Before you fit 125/70R16: verify the vehicle placard, load index, speed rating, wheel offset, and full-lock/full-compression clearance. Nominal dimensions do not guarantee a safe physical fit.

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Full dimensions

Measurement Metric Imperial
Overall diameter 581.4 mm 22.89 in
Section width 125 mm 4.92 in
Sidewall height 87.5 mm 3.44 in
Rim diameter 406.4 mm 16 in
Circumference 1826.5 mm 71.91 in
Revolutions per mile 881.1
Aspect ratio 70%

NHTSA safety record for 125/70R16

Drawn from official U.S. government (NHTSA) consumer complaint and recall filings for this exact tire size — not the generic averages you'll find elsewhere.

Complaints on record 9 filed with NHTSA
Recalls on record 0 none on record

What owners report fails — 125/70R16

  • Tread separation 6
  • Blowout 2
  • Blister 1

These are unverified consumer reports and manufacturer recalls filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — not validated failure rates, and not adjusted for how many tires of this size are in service. Popular sizes naturally accumulate more reports. Use this as a research signal, not a verdict on any specific tire. Data as of 2021. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain). Always check the latest recalls at NHTSA.gov and report a tire problem if you have one.

How 125/70R16 compares inside the NHTSA size dataset

Complaint rank #142 of 271 among 271 safety-record sizes
Vs dataset median 1 below median 10 complaints
Top failure share 67% Tread separation

This comparison is derived only from tire sizes that have a real NHTSA complaint or recall record in the TreadSize dataset. Source: NHTSA ODI — Consumer Complaints (FLAT_CMPL) + Recalls (FLAT_RCL), U.S. DOT public domain; Complaints through 2021.

Nearby safety records by complaint volume

255/60R19 9 complaints · 1 recalls 225/60R15 9 complaints · 0 recalls 225/70R17 9 complaints · 0 recalls 245/40R17 9 complaints · 0 recalls 245/50R16 9 complaints · 0 recalls 285/50R20 9 complaints · 0 recalls 235/65R18 10 complaints · 4 recalls 185/60R16 8 complaints · 1 recalls

Dataset download: JSON or CSV. Latest recall lookup: NHTSA.gov.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the overall diameter of a 125/70R16 tire?

A 125/70R16 tire has an overall diameter of 22.89 inches (581.4 mm).

How tall is a 125/70R16 tire?

The sidewall height is 87.5 mm (3.44 inches), and the overall diameter from the ground to the top of the tire is 22.89 inches.

How many revolutions per mile does a 125/70R16 tire make?

A 125/70R16 tire makes approximately 881 revolutions per mile. Your speedometer is calibrated to this number.

What rim size does a 125/70R16 tire fit?

A 125/70R16 tire is designed for a 16-inch rim (406.4 mm).

Are there recalls or safety complaints for 125/70R16 tires?

NHTSA has 9 consumer complaints on record for the 125/70R16 size; the most reported issue is tread separation (6 reports). These are unverified consumer reports, not validated failure rates, and are not adjusted for how many tires of this size are in service.

All dimensions calculated using standard ETRTO formulas. Always confirm fitment with your vehicle's door-placard and a qualified tire professional before purchasing.