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What Tire Size Fits a Chevy Colorado?

The factory tire size for a Chevy Colorado is usually 265/65R17, with base trims on 255/65R17 and 18-inch trims on 265/60R18. Here is every stock size by trim, plus how big you can really go.

Most common: 265/65R17 Stock fit up to 31.6" 33" needs a level + trim ZR2 runs 33s stock

🔍 The quick answer

Stock size depends on your trim and wheel package. The correct tire size for a Chevy Colorado is most often 265/65R17, but base WT and LT trims run 255/65R17 and trucks with 18-inch wheels use 265/60R18. Always confirm against the placard inside your driver's door before you buy.

The Chevrolet Colorado has run two main modern generations, the 2015 to 2022 truck and the redesigned 2023 and newer truck. Across both, the tire size changes with the wheel diameter that came with your trim, not just the model year. A WT on steel 17s, an LT on alloy 17s, and a Z71 on 18s can all be the same year and still take three different sizes.

Because the 4x4 models use an automatic transfer case, getting the size right matters for more than looks. Mismatched or wrong-diameter tires can confuse the driveline and the speedometer. If your truck is throwing a speed-related fault, check our guide on code P0500 (vehicle speed sensor) before you assume the tires are fine.

📏 Factory tire sizes by trim

Here are the common stock sizes across recent Colorado trims. Wheel and tire packages shift over the years, so treat this as a starting point and verify on your door jamb.

Trim / PackageStock Tire SizeWheelApprox. Diameter
WT (base)255/65R1717"30.1"
LT265/65R1717"30.6"
Z71 (17")265/65R1717"30.6"
Z71 / Trail Boss (18")265/60R1818"30.5"
ZR2 (2017-2022)265/65R17 A/T17"31.0"
ZR2 (2023+)33" A/T (approx 285/70R17)17"33.0"

Notice the diameters cluster near 30 to 31 inches on non-ZR2 trims. That is intentional, so the speedometer and the 4x4 system behave the same regardless of which wheel size you ordered. The ZR2 is the outlier with its taller, more aggressive all-terrain setup.

🛞 The biggest tire you can fit

This is the question most Colorado owners actually want answered. Here is the honest breakdown, from no-modification fitments to full off-road builds.

Stock, no modifications

On a factory Colorado you can safely step up to a 265/70R17, which works out to about 31.6 inches. That is roughly a 1-inch bump in diameter over the LT's stock 265/65R17, and it clears the fenders and liners without rubbing at full lock.

With a leveling kit

A 2-inch front leveling kit (around $80 to $250 for the parts) opens up room for a 285/70R17, which is a true 32-inch tire. Most owners on a level run 32s with no trimming, though a tight turn into a driveway dip can lightly brush the liner.

Running true 33s

To clear genuine 33-inch tires you generally need a leveling kit plus minor trimming of the front bumper end caps and inner fender liners. Some owners also add a small wheel spacer or a slightly higher offset wheel to push the tire out and stop rubbing. If you would rather skip the cutting, the 2023+ ZR2 already wears 33s from the factory.

Before you commit, remember that bigger tires throw off your speedometer and odometer. A jump from 30.6 inches to 33 inches reads roughly 7 to 8 percent slow, so 60 mph actually shows about 56. That also affects your transmission shift points. If shifting feels off after a tire change, our hard shifting symptom guide walks through what is normal and what is not.

Not sure if your tire problem is the tire? Get a ranked, vehicle-specific diagnosis for vibration, noise, or warning lights in under a minute.
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⚠️ Common mistakes when sizing Colorado tires

  • Mixing tire sizes front and rear. The 4x4 transfer case is sensitive to diameter differences. Keep all four the same size and within about 2/32 inch of tread, or you can get driveline bind and bad noises.
  • Ignoring the load rating. Most Colorados ship on Standard Load passenger tires. If you tow or haul near the limit, an XL or LT-metric tire holds up better, but it rides firmer and costs more.
  • Forgetting to recalibrate after going up in size. Aftermarket tuners or a dealer recalibration fix the speedometer and odometer after a big tire change. Skipping this means inaccurate mileage and warranty records.
  • Assuming all same-year trucks share a size. A 2021 WT and a 2021 Z71 on 18s do not take the same tire. The wheel package, not the year, sets the spec.
  • Buying off a worn-down placard guess. If the original tires were already replaced with the wrong size, your truck may not be on factory spec at all. Read the door jamb sticker, which never changes.

🧭 How to confirm your exact size in 60 seconds

  1. Open the driver's door and look at the lower B-pillar or door edge for a white-and-yellow placard.
  2. Find the line that reads the front and rear tire size, for example "FRONT 265/65R17, REAR 265/65R17."
  3. Note the recommended cold inflation pressure, usually between 30 and 35 psi for the Colorado.
  4. Cross-check that number against the sidewall of your current tires. If they differ, someone changed the size already.
  5. When in doubt about whether your current setup is safe for towing or off-road use, run a quick diagnosis or compare a shop's recommendation against our quote checker so you do not overpay for tires or alignment you do not need.

Reading the sticker beats guessing by trim every time, because factory options and any prior owner's changes can move the spec. If your truck pulls or wears tires unevenly after a swap, that often points to alignment rather than the tire itself, covered in our how to check alignment guide.

❓ Frequently asked questions

What is the stock tire size for a Chevy Colorado?
The most common factory tire size on a Chevy Colorado is 265/65R17. Base WT and LT trims often run 255/65R17, the LT and some Z71 builds use 265/65R17, and 18-inch trims wear 265/60R18. The newer ZR2 jumps to 31-inch all-terrains on the 2015-2022 generation and larger 33-inch tires on the 2023 and newer ZR2.
What is the biggest tire I can fit on a Chevy Colorado?
On a stock Colorado you can usually run a 265/70R17 (about 31.6 inches) with no modifications. With a leveling kit you can fit 285/70R17 or a 32-inch tire. To run true 33-inch tires you typically need a leveling kit plus minor trimming of the front bumper and liners. The ZR2 fits 33s from the factory.
Do all four tires on my Colorado need to match?
Yes. The Colorado uses an automatic four-wheel-drive system on 4x4 models, and mismatched tire sizes or heavily worn tires can bind the transfer case and trigger driveline noise or service messages. Keep all four tires the same size, brand, and within about 2/32 inch of tread depth.
What does the load rating need to be for a Colorado?
The Colorado is a midsize truck, so most trims use Standard Load (SL) passenger or P-metric tires from the factory. If you tow near the truck's limit or load the bed heavily, an XL (extra load) or LT-metric tire gives a higher load capacity, but LT tires ride firmer and cost more.
Where do I find the exact tire size for my Colorado?
Open the driver's door and read the yellow-and-white tire placard on the door jamb. It lists the factory front and rear tire size and the recommended cold inflation pressure, usually 30 to 35 psi. This is more reliable than guessing by trim because options and wheel packages change the spec.

📝 TL;DR

  • Most Colorados run 265/65R17 from the factory. Base trims use 255/65R17, and 18-inch trims use 265/60R18.
  • You can fit 265/70R17 (about 31.6") on a fully stock truck with no rubbing.
  • A 2-inch level opens room for 32s; true 33s need a level plus light trimming.
  • The 2023+ ZR2 ships with 33-inch tires from the factory.
  • Keep all four tires matched, mind the load rating, and recalibrate after a big size jump.