⚡ The Short Answer
The fastest way to confirm your exact size is to read the sidewall of your current tire or the tire placard on the driver door jamb. That placard lists the original equipment size and the correct cold inflation pressure for your truck. Both the GMC Sierra 1500 and the Silverado 1500 share these sizes, since they are mechanically the same platform.
If you are shopping replacements and want to stay exactly stock, match the full code, for example 275/60R20. If you want to go bigger for a more aggressive look or off-road grip, keep reading. There is meaningful room on this truck, but the limits depend on whether you add a leveling kit.
📋 Factory Tire Sizes by Trim
These are the common original-equipment sizes for the 2019 to 2026 Silverado 1500 (the current T1XX generation). Optional wheel packages can shift a given trim up or down one size, so always verify against your door placard.
| Trim | Stock Tire Size | Wheel | Approx Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work Truck (WT) | 265/70R17 | 17" | 31.6" |
| Custom | 265/70R17 | 17" | 31.6" |
| LT / RST | 255/70R18 or 265/65R18 | 18" | 32.0" |
| Custom Trail Boss | 275/65R18 (A/T) | 18" | 32.1" |
| LT Trail Boss | 275/65R18 (A/T) | 18" | 32.1" |
| Z71 / LTZ | 275/60R20 | 20" | 33.0" |
| High Country | 275/60R20 | 20" or 22" | 33.0" |
Notice that even at the factory level, a loaded High Country on 20s already rolls a near-33-inch tire. That matters when you plan an upgrade, because the gap between stock and a true 33 is small on the upper trims.
📍 How Big Can You Go?
The Silverado 1500 has generous wheel wells, so it tolerates larger tires better than most half-tons. Here is the realistic ladder, from no-mod to lifted.
| Goal Size | Diameter | What It Takes |
|---|---|---|
| 275/70R18 | ~33.2" | Stock, little to no trimming on most trucks |
| 33x11.50R18 | ~33.0" | Stock or 1.5" level, minor air dam trim |
| 275/65R20 | ~34.1" | 2" leveling kit, trim front liner and air dam |
| 295/65R18 (35") | ~35.1" | 2 to 2.5" level or lift, trim bumper and cab mount |
| 35x12.50R18 | ~35.0" | Lift kit, fender liner and crash bar trimming |
The realistic sweet spot: 33-inch tires
For most owners, a 33-inch all-terrain (275/70R18 or 33x11.50R18) is the no-drama upgrade. It clears the factory fenders with at most a small front air dam trim, fills the wheel well nicely, and barely changes the speedometer. You get a more capable, more aggressive truck without re-engineering the front end.
Going to 35s
A 35-inch tire transforms the stance but is not a bolt-on. Expect to add a 2 to 2.5 inch leveling kit, trim the front bumper air dam, and possibly relieve the cab mount and crash bar so the tire does not catch at full lock. Skipping these steps leads to rubbing that can slice a tire over time.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- Reading width as height. In 275/60R20, the 275 is the tread width in millimeters and 60 is the aspect ratio, not the diameter. Two tires with the same first number can stand very different heights.
- Ignoring the load rating. A Silverado 1500 needs at least an SL or, for towing, an XL or LT-rated tire. Dropping to a lighter passenger rating to save money can cut your payload and towing capacity.
- Forgetting speedometer recalibration. Jumping from 32-inch to 35-inch tires makes the speedometer read roughly 7 percent slow. Your odometer drifts too, which affects service intervals and resale mileage.
- Mixing sizes across axles. On a four-wheel-drive Silverado, running different diameters front to rear stresses the transfer case and can trigger drivetrain wear and codes like C0561.
- Assuming all 18s are equal. A 275/65R18 all-terrain and a 255/70R18 highway tire fit the same wheel but behave very differently in ride, noise, and clearance.
🧮 How to Choose Your Size
Work through these questions in order and you will land on the right Silverado 1500 tire size without guessing.
- Do you want to stay 100 percent stock? Read the door-jamb placard and match it exactly. No surprises, factory speedometer accuracy, easiest resale.
- Do you want a little more look and grip? Step to a 33-inch all-terrain. On a stock truck this is the safest upgrade, with at most a small trim.
- Do you tow or haul regularly? Stay closer to stock diameter and choose a higher load range. Big tires hurt acceleration and braking when loaded.
- Do you want 35s for the stance? Budget for a leveling or lift kit, trimming labor, and a speedometer recalibration on top of the tires themselves.
- Are you chasing a vibration after a tire change? Confirm balance, sizing match, and alignment before assuming a mechanical fault. See our guide on steering wheel shake at highway speed.
If a shop quoted you for new tires plus a level and you want a sanity check on the price, run the numbers through our quote checker before you say yes.
💰 What It Costs
Rough installed price ranges for a set of four on a Silverado 1500, including mount, balance, and basic shop fees. Prices vary by brand and region.
| Setup | Tire Type | Typical Installed (Set of 4) |
|---|---|---|
| Stock replacement | Highway / all-season | $700 to $1,300 |
| 33" all-terrain | A/T, mid-tier brand | $1,000 to $1,700 |
| 35" tires + 2" level | A/T or mud-terrain | $1,800 to $3,200 |
| Speedometer recalibration | Tuner or dealer | $75 to $250 |
A premium mud-terrain or a 22-inch wheel package pushes the high end well past these figures. For a no-pressure read on whether a quote is fair for your area, our quote checker compares it to typical pricing.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
✅ TL;DR
- Stock Silverado 1500 tire sizes run from 265/70R17 (base) to 275/60R20 (Z71, LTZ, High Country).
- Off-road Trail Boss trims come on 275/65R18 all-terrains from the factory.
- On a stock truck, a 33-inch tire (275/70R18) is the easy, low-rub upgrade.
- 35-inch tires need a 2-inch level or lift plus trimming.
- Always match the load rating and recalibrate the speedometer after going bigger.