Tire Overlay Visualizer
Overlay two tire sizes at one center point. Compare diameter, rim, sidewall and width using ghost outlines in millimeters and inches.
Overlay sizes to highlight dimensional differences.
Tire Overlay Visualizer: Tire Size Inputs
Compare two tire sizes here. Use the formulas and reference tables below for this tool's specific calculation.
How Tire Overlay Visualizer Works?
The Tire Overlay Visualizer works by drawing 2 tires on the same center and scale, with the second tire as a transparent outline, so every difference shows as a gap between lines. The tool uses 4 steps.
Enter both sizes
Type the baseline size and the proposed size.
Share the center
The visualizer places both wheel centers on one point, or both tires on one ground line in ground mode.
Draw the ghost
The visualizer draws the baseline solid and the proposed tire as a colored outline.
Label the gaps
The visualizer labels the radius gap at the top, the rim gap and the width gap on each side.
Tire Overlay Visualizer Formula
The Tire Overlay Visualizer measures each gap from the shared center: Δr_outer = (OD₂ − OD₁) ÷ 2 and Δr_rim = (Rim₂ − Rim₁) × 12.7.
Δr_o = (OD₂ − OD₁) ÷ 2Δr_rim = (Rim₂ − Rim₁) × 12.7ΔSH = SH₂ − SH₁ΔW ÷ 2- OD₁, OD₂
- Baseline and proposed diameter (mm)
- Rim₁, Rim₂
- Rim diameters (in)
- ΔW
- Section width change (mm)
Worked example
Overlaying 225/45 R17 and 225/40 R18 shows a +1.5 mm outer gap, a +12.7 mm rim gap and a −11.3 mm sidewall band. The 2 outer circles nearly coincide, while the rim circle grows.
Tire Overlay Visualizer Conversion Table
The Tire Overlay Visualizer conversion table lists the 4 gaps an overlay shows for 5 size pairs.
| Baseline / proposed | Outer radius gap | Rim radius gap | Sidewall gap | Width gap per side |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 225/45 R17 / 225/40 R18 | +1.5 mm | +12.7 mm | -11.2 mm | +0.0 mm |
| 225/45 R17 / 245/40 R18 | +9.5 mm | +12.7 mm | -3.2 mm | +10.0 mm |
| 265/70 R17 / 285/70 R17 | +14.0 mm | +0.0 mm | +14.0 mm | +10.0 mm |
| 265/70 R17 / 285/75 R17 | +28.2 mm | +0.0 mm | +28.2 mm | +10.0 mm |
| 205/55 R16 / 195/65 R15 | +1.3 mm | -12.7 mm | +14.0 mm | -5.0 mm |
What is Tire Overlay Visualizer?
A Tire Overlay Visualizer is a tool that superimposes 2 tire sizes so their differences show as visible gaps between outlines. Side-by-side views compare overall shape. Overlay views make millimeter-level differences readable.
Plus-size changes look dramatic in an overlay: the rim grows and the sidewall shrinks while the outer circle stays almost still.
Center mode shows radius changes. Ground mode shows ride height change at the axle.
What are the uses of Tire Overlay Visualizer?
There are 4 main uses of the Tire Overlay Visualizer, including plus-size demonstrations and clearance previews.
Plus-size demonstrations
Show that a larger wheel keeps the same tire height.
Clearance previews
See the extra radius that reaches toward the fender.
Width previews
See width growth on both sides of the wheel.
Sales presentations
Explain a size change with one picture.