Jeep Wrangler Tire Size Guide

Looking to install a set of oversized tires on your Jeep Wrangler? Before making your selection, it’s essential to know which tires are best suited for your particular generation and suspension setup. Whether stock, leveled, or lifted, choosing the wrong wheel/tire setup can lead to irritating fitment issues, including rubbing at full lock, contact while articulating, and more.

To make your decision easier, our experts at RealTruck have done the hard work for you. In this RealSource guide, we’re breaking down the factory tire sizes across Jeep Wrangler generations, as well as our recommended wheel and tire sizing for aftermarket suspension setups. 

Tire size plays a major role in how your Jeep Wrangler performs—both on and off the trail. While larger tires can dramatically improve off-road capabilities and performance, choosing the wrong size for your generation or suspension setup can negatively impact drivability and reliability.

One of the biggest advantages of upsizing tires on a Wrangler is increased ground clearance. Taller tires raise your axle and differential housing farther off the ground, helping you to clear rocks, ruts, and obstacles that would otherwise stop you in your tracks. This extra clearance is especially important for rock crawling and technical trails where undercarriage contact is common. 

Tire size also affects approach, breakover, and departure angles, allowing your Wrangler to climb steeper obstacles without dragging bumpers or skids. Wider tires can also improve traction by increasing your Jeep’s contact patch, particularly in loose terrain like mud, sand, and snow. 

That being said, bigger isn’t always better—despite what you’ve heard. Oversized tires that aren’t properly matched to your lift height and wheel offset can cause rubbing at full lock or during suspension articulation. Beefier tires can also put strain on the drivetrain and steering components, leading to costly upgrades such as re-gearing, heavier-duty ball joints, and oversized steering linkage. 

Understanding tire sizing makes choosing the right tires for your Jeep Wrangler far easier. Most tires are labeled with one of two standardized measurements—floatation and metric sizing. Flotation uses imperial measurements and reads as “35x12.50R17,” while metric sizes use metric measurements, such as “285/70R17.”

Floatation sizes are commonly found on LT tires. In the example “35x12.50R17,” the 35 refers to the tire’s overall height in inches. The 12.50 refers to the tire’s width in inches, while the 17 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. 

Metric sizes (e.g., 285/70R17) are measured differently, not just in the units used. In the above example, 285 refers to the tire’s width in millimeters. The 70 is the sidewall height, expressed as a percentage of the tire’s width. Lastly, the 17 refers to the wheel diameter that the tire fits. 

No matter the format, the most crucial thing is ensuring the tire’s overall diameter and width are compatible with your Wrangler’s suspension height, wheel backspacing, and intended use. 

Not all tires are created equal. The best option for your Wrangler depends entirely on how and where you drive. Consider the following factors before making your purchase. 

Think about the type of terrain that you and your Wrangler encounter most often, as different tire types excel in different terrains. For instance, mud-terrain tires excel in low-traction off-road conditions, such as deep mud and loose dirt. Alternatively, all-terrain tires offer a balanced mix of trail traction and on-road comfort. On extreme trails, look for tires with flexible compounds and aggressive tread patterns and sidewalls that’ll conform to and claw across challenging obstacles.

Durable, puncture-resistant treads aren’t the only part of the tire that matters for off-road performance. Robust sidewalls are equally as crucial, especially when airing down for better traction. Reinforced or multi-ply sidewalls resist punctures from rocks and branches, providing added durability during technical trail sections. 

Many tires are engineered for specific terrain types, including mud, sand, snow, and mixed use. Choose a tire that best matches the terrain you typically drive on. Additionally, if you live in an area with harsh winters, a tire with a severe snow rating (3PMSF) may be worth considering. 

If your Wrangler also performs daily driving duties, factors like road noise, ride quality, and tread life also matter. Larger, more aggressive tires can be louder and may impact fuel economy, so it’s important to find a tire that matches your driving habits. All-terrain and rugged-terrain tires are two options that offer well-rounded performance on any terrain. On- and off-road, these tires allow you to drive comfortably and confidently. 

The best tires for a Jeep Wrangler entirely depend on how you use it. A dedicated daily driver with occasional trail use has very different needs than a dedicated rock crawler or winter rig, for instance. Below, we break down the best tire types for most driving styles. 

All-terrain tires are the most popular choice for Jeep Wrangler owners—and for good reason. These tires offer a balanced mix of on-road comfort, long tread life, and dependable off-road traction. A quality all-terrain tire provides confident performance on dirt, gravel, light mud, and snow while remaining quiet and stable on the highway. 

When shopping for all-terrain tires, look for options with reinforced sidewalls and aggressive shoulder lugs for added durability on the trail. Many modern A/T tires also feature 3PMSF (Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake) ratings, making them strong candidates for year-round tires. Some of our top-recommended all-terrain tires include: 

• Toyo Open Country A/T III Tires

• Nitto Recon Grappler Tires

• General Grabber A/TX Tires

If your Wrangler regularly sees mud, rocks, or technical trails, a more aggressive off-road tire is the way to go. Mud-terrain and hybrid-terrain off-road tires feature aggressive tread patterns designed to dig into loose terrain and self-clean in mud and clay. 

These tires typically have thicker, multi-ply sidewalls for improved puncture resistance. While off-road tires deliver maximum trail performance, they tend to be louder on pavement and may wear quicker than all-terrain tires—factors to consider if you also drive your Jeep on the street regularly. Check out our top recommended off-road tires below: 

• Toyo Open Country R/T Trail Tires

• Mickey Thompson Baja Legend MTZ Tires

• Nitto Mud Grappler Tires

For Wrangler owners in Northern areas of the country, harsh winter conditions are a way of life. In these climates, a true winter tire can make all the difference regarding traction. Winter tires use specialized rubber compounds that remain flexible in freezing temperatures, improving grip on snow and ice. 

Paired with capable four-wheel-drive systems, winter tires provide superior braking and control in icy conditions compared to all-season or off-road tires. For drivers in snow-heavy regions who don't want to swap their tires midway through the year, 3PMSF-rated all-terrain tires are a solid compromise. Boost winter traction with the following winter-rated tires: 

• General Grabber Arctic LT Tires

• Toyo Open Country WLT1 Tires

• General Grabber Arctic Tires

There's no "one size fits all" tire for the Jeep Wrangler. The best size for you depends on your Jeep's suspension height, driving habits, and goals. For most daily-driven Wranglers, a 33-inch tire offers an excellent balance of comfort, fuel economy, and light off-road capability without requiring extensive modifications. 

Wranglers with a mild lift or leveling kit often step up to 35-inch tires for increased ground clearance and trail performance. Larger sizes, such as 37-inch tires or larger, are typically reserved for heavily modified builds with upgraded axles, gearing, and steering components. 

A: Most stock-height Wranglers can fit a 32–33-inch tire with minimal issues. Anything larger may cause rubbing during turns or during suspension articulation.

A: Installing larger tires does not automatically void your warranty. However, damage caused by oversized tires or improper installation may not be covered under the factory warranty.

A: Yes, regearing is strongly recommended when running 37-inch tires. Larger tires affect acceleration, transmission shifting, and fuel economy, and proper gearing helps restore performance and drivability.

A: For most daily drivers, a 32–33-inch tire offers the best balance of ride quality, noise levels, fuel economy, and capability.

A: Jeep Wrangler tires typically range from a few hundred dollars per tire for all-terrain options to significantly more for premium off-road or larger-diameter tires.

A: Some Wrangler JL models can fit 35-inch tires with minor modifications, such as a leveling kit and proper wheel backspacing. However, a lift kit is recommended for optimal clearance and performance.