Changing a tire is difficult because of the weight involved. Tires can be incredibly heavy, but how heavy are they? How much does the average tire weigh, and what are the factors that affect how heavy they might be?
There are a few variables when it comes to the weight of tires. The average passenger car tire weighs between 15-25 pounds (7-11 kg); however, weight is very dependent on the specific tire you have, the application it serves, and the size you have.
A smaller passenger tire might only weigh about 15 pounds (6,8 kg), while a larger truck tire could weight 80 pounds (36 kg) or more.
This weight is just the tire and does not take into consideration the amount of weight added by the rim.
In this guide, I discuss various weights of tires, as well as factors that contribute to tire weight. Each tire will be slightly different, but this guide, on average, gives you a better estimation of weight.
Factors Affecting Tire Weight
#1. Size.
Size is the most important factor affecting weight and there are a few factors to look for.
First, look at the diameter, the diameter affects the volume, or weight, of the tire as well how much material must be manufactured to build the tire, this also adds to the weight.
Next, is the difference in tire widths; typically the wider the tire the more material it is going to require and therefore the more air pressure it will hold which also will add to the weight.
#2. Type.
The type of the tire also has an effect on the overall tire weight. A compact passenger size tire is going to weigh less than larger tire sizes.
As you can see, comparing tires by weight is pretty simple – generally smaller tires are lighter and larger tires are heavier.
#3. Application.
Standard passenger tires come with a belt system, casing and tread (with all of those features being found in the tire industry). However, with other intended purposes, certain tires can be a little different, which might add to the weight.
An example of this is mud or all-terrain tires, with the chunky blocks in the tread, which is the opposite of the standard passenger tire. While they could be the same overall size, the all-terrain tire would weigh more just because of what it was designed to do.
Beyond that, the premium tire might weigh more overall just because it has more layers of rubber than the budget-minded tire. So, the premium tire is going to be more durable, but so is the cost.
Tire Weights by Type
#1. Passenger Car.
Passenger car tires are hard to define all in one category because there are so many kinds. This category can also range anywhere from 13–20-inch tires.
Most passenger car tires weigh anywhere from 15 to 25 pounds. The smaller the tire is, the less you can expect the weight to be.
It can also depend on the performance of the tire with luxury or performance-focused tires having more materials included and weighing more.
#2. Truck/SUV.
Just like a passenger car tire, a truck or SUV tire is going to come in many sizes. When it comes to a light-duty truck tire, it needs to carry a regular load to support their typical hauling and towing.
However, those same truck tires are used on similar SUVs. Generally, most of the time the tires fall into either 17- or 24-inch sizes.
For average, you can expect a truck or SUV tire to weigh anywhere between 45-100 pounds, even more or less at times.
#3. Commercial Truck.
Clearly, the commercial truck tire is going to be a lot heavier than the average pickup truck. Because of the load it is expected to carry, the commercial truck tire is going to be larger and heavier than the average tire.
Commercial truck tires also need to be able to carry a load that is used hauling or towing. Typically the commercial truck tire with the standard tread pattern tends to weigh between 100 and 250 pounds.
Just like any of the other types, there are some that may weigh lighter or heavier depending on certain situations.
#4. Monster Truck.
The monster trucks will be among the heaviest available tires on the market, they are offered “off-road” tires with heavy-duty applications in mind. They don’t need to support a load to tow or haul but they do need it a weight to not allow for blowing out the rubber.
Most monster truck tires are anywhere up to 66 inches tall and 43 inches wide therefore, you can see the overall size of the tire, about 6 inches tall and 4 feet wide. You can see why the tire is meant for monster trucks.
Then with a tire at minimum standard size like this, you can expect a heavy amount of weight, weighing anywhere between 600-900 pounds, you can’t just change the tire. Requires effort and maybe the right equipment to change one out.
#5. Motorcycle.
Motorcycle tires are generally lighter than passenger car tires. It’s very important for all motorcycles to keep the weight to a minimum which is why lighter tires are used.
A motorcycle tire itself may weigh between 8 and 30 pounds on average. Generally, the front tire weighs less than the rear tire.
With car tires, if the brand name is the same, all four tires will probably weigh the same. With two tires on a motorcycle, they very well can weigh different weights.
#6. Golf Cart.
The golf cart tire helps you traverse even the smoothest terrain like what’s found on the golf course. Since the tires don’t have to bear a lot of weight, they don’t have to weigh a lot.
Golf car tires will weigh about 10 pounds on average. This could be a little more than what you might find on a lawn mower.
#7. Trailer.
The trailer tire has to be able to support what you are hauling. Depending on the size of your trailer, you may expect a trailer tire to weigh around 10 pounds each.
Trailers also can hold different amounts of tires. For example, if the trailer has two axles with dual tire hubs, you would have a total of eight tires.
#8. ATV.
All-terrain vehicles have tires designed to tackle rough terrain. For this reason, they are built for handling more obstacles and uneven terrain.
On average, the ATV tires will weigh between 20 and 40 pounds. The UTV will hold the same type of tires.
#9. Farm/Tractor.
There is a large selection of farm and tractor tires depending on the equipment your using. The tires must be able to get across any type of surface, or the farmer will not be able to get to crops, or get the tough work done.
This is why farm and tractor tires can have a range of weight ratings. They could weigh from 30 pounds up to hundreds of pounds, depending on its intended purpose.
What is the weight of large tires?
The weight of large tires is based on how large a tire is. For example, large tractor tires may weigh anywhere between 400 -600 pounds a tire, leading to a weight of the tires of 2,400 pounds with all 4 tires mounted. Large SUV tires for a vehicle may weigh 100 pounds or more.
How to find out how much a tire weighs?
The best and most accurate way to find the weight of your tire is through the tire manufacturer, or utilize a scale.
You can also use the product number from your tire, and sometimes locate the manufacturer’s website to obtain the weight.
How much does a tire weigh when filled with air?
The actual weight difference of a tire filled with air vs an empty tire is at most a few grams of difference. Therefore, if you want to learn how much a tire weighs with air, simply find the weight from the tire when empty.
What is the overall weight of wheels and tires?
The average rim weighs approximately 20-30 pounds, and the average tire weighs approximately 15-25 pounds.
Therefore, the overall weight of a full wheel will be between 35-55 pounds per wheel, but there are many factors that play into that weight such as rim material, size tire, and so on.