Are you in the market for new tires but feeling overwhelmed by the various tire sizes and measurements especially when comparing 33-inch tires to 285-wide tires? You’re not alone! So many Jeepers get confused between the two measurements 33-inch tires and 285-wide tires.
Are 33-inch tires the same as 285?
Yes! 33 inches tires are the same as 285-mm tires, a tire with a tread width of 285mm is generally considered to be of the same size as a tire of 33 inches in diameter, the two measurements are used to describe the same tire size, although they are referring to two different aspects of the tire.
The accepted metric in the tires industry for 33-inch tires is 285/75/16, when someone says “285-inch tires” they are referring to their tire tread width in millimeters, and the measurements indicate how the width of the tires, on the other hand when someone says “33-inch tires” they are referring to the diameter of the tire in inches, and this is the measurements from the top of the tire to the bottom.
What size tire is 285/75r16?
First, let’s tackle the question, “What size tire is 285/75r16?” the first number “285” in the metric tire measurements 285/75r16 represents the width of the tire width in millimeters, the second number “75” represents the aspect ratio or profile of the tire, which is the percentage of the sidewall height compared to the tread with of ‘285”
To calculate the sidewall height of the tire in millimeters you will have to multiply the width by the aspect ratio which in our case is (285 x .75 = 213.75mm). since there are two sidewalls you will need to multiply the sidewall height by 2 giving you the height in inches. To convert the sidewall height to inches you will need to divide the results by 25.4.
213.75mm x 2 = 427.5mm /25.4 = 16.831 Inches
Finally, you will need to add the total height to the diameter of the wheel (in our case of 285/75r16) its 16 inches, this will give us the approximate diameter of the tire in inches, which gives us 32.831 inches.
16.831 Inches + 16 inches = 32.831 inches
One of the most confusing aspects of tire sizing and calculations is the combination of millimeters, percentages, and inches as seen in the calculations above, the unusual combination is a byproduct of the evolution of global tire specifications.
How wide is a 285 tire?
Next let’s look at the question, “How wide is a 285/75r16 tire?” The width of the tire is measured in millimeters and is represented in the tire size code 285/75r16, its represented by the first three digits in the code which represents the tire width in millimeters in our case of 285/75r16 tire, the tire width is 285 millimeters.
To answer the question “How many inches are 285 tires?” you would divide by the conversion factor of 25.4 (the number of millimeters in one inch):
285 mm ÷ 25.4 mm/in = 11.220 inches (rounded to three decimal places)
Therefore, 285 inches tires have a width of approximately 11.220 inches.
Understanding the different measurements that are used to describe tire sizes can be helpful when shopping for new tires, and since you will find the tires are explained in different metrics based on the manufacturer you will need to understand the metric when comparing different options.
Specifications of 33-Inch Tires (285/75/16)
It’s important to understand the specifications of 33-inch tires before buying 33 inches tires to ensure that they fit properly on your Jeep, in the table below we have highlighted the specifications of 33-inch tires with a size of 285/75/16.
| Measurement | Value |
| Diameter | 32.8″ (883mm) |
| Width | 11.2″ (285mm) |
| Sidewall | 8.4″ (213mm) |
| Circumference | 103.1″ (2619mm) |
| Revs/Mile | 615 (382mm) |
In the Jeeping community, 33 inches tires are considered standard for off-roading, Overlanding, and any other off-roading activities, a lot of Jeepers believe that 35 inches offer much better performance compared to 33 inches.
Since we have experience with bigger tires such as 37 inches on our Jeep Gladiator or 35 inches tires, we believe that 33 inches are better for rough terrains, hills, and valleys that you will encounter on many Jeep trails, this is because the tires diameter of 32.8 inches (883mm) is comfortable compared to 35 inches and offer better handling capabilities, a width of 11.2 inches (285mm) is enough for stability and traction on Jeep Trails, and the circumference of 103.1 inches (2619mm) is good for off-roading speeds.
Compared to bigger tires such as 35 inches which we believe are ideal for flat surfaces because they offer more revs per mile and will not wear out quickly compared to 33 inches. We do highly recommend 33 inches for off-roaders, and daily drivers, especially for trucks and SUVs based on the above factors.
Recommended 33 Inch Jeep Tires
There are four 33-inch tires that we have used on our Jeeps, they include the Mastercraft Courser MXT Mud-Terrain Radial Tire, Thunderer Trac Grip All-Season Radial Tire, Cooper Discoverer STT Pro All-Season Tire, Falken Wildpeak MT01 All-Terrain Radial Tire.
Below we have summarized our experience with each tire, and how they performed on our Jeeps.
Mastercraft Courser MXT Mud-Terrain Radial Tire
On our Jeep Wrangler, we have installed Mastercraft Courser MXT Mud-Terrain Radial 33-inch tires for three reasons, to improve the exterior looks of our Jeep, provide maximum performance off-road, and also we were on a limited budget when all of a sudden we noticed our tires need replacement when we were rotating our Jeep tires.
Best Mud Terrain 33-inch tires.
Mastercraft Courser MXT Mud-Terrain Radial Tires provide a rugged look on our Jeep due to its deep biting lugs, and aggressive-looking sidewalls that are built to withstand rough terrains, despite being off-road tires we don’t experience that much noise when cruising on the highway, and they provide smooth handling on our Heavy loaded Jeep with lots of Jeep Overlanding gear onboard.
Thunderer Trac Grip All-Season Radial Tire
For daily drivers, we do recommend Thunderer Trac Grip All-Season Radial 33-inch tires, they improve the looks of your Jeep rig and offer better performance due to their construction technology.
Best All-seasons 33-inch Tires.
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For daily driving, we recommend Thunderer Trac Grip All-Season Radial Tire, this is because you will need tires that have a chip resistance rubber construction and are also able to offer traction when needed to clear any terrain they are thrown to thanks to their aggressive tread pattern, they are also good for off-roading and have a tough sidewall that protects them from side punctures.
Cooper Discoverer STT Pro All-Season Tire
Cooper Discoverer STT Pro All-Season 33-inch tires are one of the most aggressive Jeep tires we have ever installed on our Jeep, we recommend the for serious off-roading, you will also love them because they offer remarkable on-road experience and their on-road traction is best for handling your Jeep.
Aggressive 33-inch tires.
Cooper Discoverer STT Pro All-Season 33-inch tires’ special features include Rock Climber Sidewall that helps improve traction when off-roading even on the most challenging terrains, their sidewall treads feature deep ‘Climber Cleats’ and Flex Grooves grip on rocks, sand, snow, and mud for those looking forward to tackling the toughest terrains with their Jeeps.
Falken Wildpeak MT01 All-Terrain Radial Tire
Falken WILDPEAK M/T 33-inch tires are the most installed 33-inch tires on Jeeps, Jeepers love them for their versatility, they are good for off-roading in snow, mud, sand, and rocks, some of the Jeepers with Falken Wildpeak MT01 All-Terrain Radial 33-inch tires use their Jeeps for daily driving, and occasional offroading over the weekends with family.
Best 33-inch all-terrain tires
Some of the features that make Falken Wildpeak MT01 All-Terrain Radial Tire one of the best 33-inch all-terrain tires include three-ply DURASPEC™ Sidewall Technology that offers maximum protection of the tires when off-roading and prevent sidewall punctures if you normally air down your Jeep when off-roading (which you should), Falken Wildpeak MT01 All-Terrain Radial Tire DURASPEC™ also features two high ply turn-ups that provide traction when your air down your tires.
Can you put 33-inch tires on a stock Jeep?
Yes, you can install 33-inch tires on a stock Jeep to improve your Jeeps ground clearance, however, you will need to factor in your lift kit size, IFS or SFA, Wheel Arch size, Backspacing & Wheel Offset, BMC (Body Mount Chops), Wheel Arch and fender lining trimming, CV Angles (IFS), and UCA angles (IFS) before installing 33 inches in stock Jeeps because you will only have minimum clearance on the front bumper and not enough clearance for articulations.
On stock Jeep Wrangler (2008-2018) with 265/70R17 tires, we installed 33 inches and attained the following differences:
| Measurement | Stock Tire (265/70/17) | Upgrade (285/75/16) | Differences |
| Diameter | 30.6″ (777 mm) | 32.8″ (833 mm) | +7.2% |
| Width | 10.4″ (265 mm) | 11.2″ (285 mm) | +7.7% |
| Sidewall | 7.3″ (185 mm) | 8.4″ (213 mm) | +15.1% |
| Circumference | 96.1″ (2441 mm) | 103.1″ (2619 mm) | +7.2% |
| Revs/Mile | 659 (4084 mm) | 615 (3821 mm) | -44 |
How big of a lift kit do I need for 33s?
You will need anything from a Jeep 2-inch lift 33s to the Jeep 4-inch lift with 33s to improve clearance on the bumper and also provide maximum traction for your 33 inches tires. on our Jeep with 33 inches tires, we have 2.5 inches on our Jeep Wrangler, and a 3-inch lift on our Jeep Gladiator.
How much does a lift kit cost?
What is an acceptable wheel offset for 33-inch tires?
The acceptable offset for 33-inch tires will depend on your Jeep model and also how you plan to use your Jeep, for daily driving an average deviation of 5 mm is considered acceptable.
When it comes to offsetting, a positive (+) offset means that the mounting surface has been shifted from the centerline towards the front or outside of your wheel, this will increase the track width of the vehicle to improve your Jeeps stability and handling for those looking for maximum off-road performance. However, a positive (+) offset might cause the tires to rub against the inner fenders or your Jeeps suspension components.
For those looking for a more aggressive stance on their Jeeps, a negative (-) offset is what they might be looking for, a negative (-) offset means that their Jeeps tire mounting surface is shifted towards the back or brake side of the wheel centerline, however, the problem with a negative (-) offset is that the tires sticking our past the fender might lead to legal issues depending on the local regulations.
Jeep fender trim to fit 33-inch tires.
For Jeeps such as the Jeep Cherokee, you might need to trim your fenders and arch to fit 33-inch tires and also to lift your Jeep Cherokee, to trim your fenders and arch you will need to first measure the clearance between the fender or the wheel arch and the tires if the distance is between 2 inches, we would recommend trimming them to fit 33-inch tires.
After taking the measurements you will need to use a marker to mark the areas that will need to be trimmed, its important to leave enough space for wheel articulations, after marking you can use a reciprocating saw or an angle grinder to trim the fenders and wheel arch, we recommend to make sure you have mechanical gloves and also to protect your eyes when in the process.
After trimming the fenders and the wheel arch, you will need to prevent rust on the surfaces, especially if you have aftermarket metal fenders, we recommend sanding the trimmed metal surfaces and applying a rust inh9ibitor to prevent your Jeep’s body from rusting.
About the Author: James Ndungu
James Ndungu is a seasoned automotive professional with a deep passion for Jeeps. With 40 years of experience in owning, testing, and reviewing various Jeep models, James has gained extensive first-hand knowledge and expertise. He shares his insights, tips, and advice through his engaging writing, helping fellow Jeep enthusiasts navigate the exciting world of Jeeps.
Last update on 2024-12-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
