38.5X11R16.5 tires are 38.5″ tall, have a section width of 11.0″, and fit wheels with a diameter of 165. The circumference is 120.9″ that translates into 524 revolutions per mile. As a rule, they can be mounted on the wheels with 16.5″ rim width. In the metric system, the equivalent tire size is 279/100/R165.
What is 38.5X11R16.5 in inches?
| Tire Diameter: | 38.5″ |
| Tire Section Width: | 11.0″ |
| Rim Width Range: | 16.5″ |
| Sidewall Height: | 11.0″ |
| Circumference: | 120.9″ |
| Revs/Mile: | 524 |
Alternate sizes – Upsizing Wheels or Tires?
What are 38.5X11R16.5 close equivalents?
Check out the chart below to find possible alternatives to the 38.5X11R16.5 tire size staying within the 3%-range of the tire diameter, allowing to choose wider wheels or tires with smaller sidewalls. A good rule of thumb is to avoid decreasing the diameter of the wheel. If you are not sure about the custom sizes, consult the experts or stick to the factory tire size.
| Tire size | Diameter | Difference | Width | Wheel size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 318/86/R165 | 38.0″ | -1.3% | 12.5″ | 165 |
| 394/70/R165 | 38.0″ | -1.3% | 15.5″ | 165 |
| 343/81/R165 | 38.5″ | 0% | 13.5″ | 165 |
| 368/76/R165 | 38.5″ | 0% | 14.5″ | 165 |
| 381/73/R165 | 38.5″ | 0% | 15.0″ | 165 |
| 406/69/R165 | 38.5″ | 0% | 16.0″ | 165 |
| 343/85/R165 | 39.5″ | 2.6% | 13.5″ | 165 |
| 381/77/R165 | 39.5″ | 2.6% | 15.0″ | 165 |
| 457/64/R165 | 39.5″ | 2.6% | 18.0″ | 165 |
How to decode 38.5X11R16.5 tire size in metric?
Trying to decode the size of the tires? Scroll down the page to learn what all these numbers on the sidewall stand for.
| P or LT | The first letter in the string denotes the class. P stands for passenger vehicles, LT is intended for light trucks carrying heavy loads. |
| 279 | It means the width of the tire is 279 millimeters |
| 100 | The tire has an aspect ratio of 100. To put it simple, the sidewall height is 100% of the width, so it would be 11.0″. |
| R | R stands for the Radial, a standard construction method for about 99% of tires. |
| 165 | The tire is designed to fit 16.5″ rims that are 165 inches in diameter. |
Popular questions about 38.5X11R16.5 tire size
How wide is a 38.5X11R16.5 tire?
The tires of the given size have a section width of 11.0″ inches.
How tall is a 38.5X11R16.5 tire?
The height of the following tire size equals 38.5″ inches.
What rims will fit 38.5X11R16.5 tires?
For each tire size, often there are several wheel sizes. You can’t put very wide tires on narrow rims or vise versa. You need the rim size of 16.5″ for 16.5″ tires.
