Subaru Tire Size Guide
OEM sizes for every Subaru model from Outback to WRX, taken from Subaru's own specification sheets, plus the AWD tire matching rules, safe upgrade limits and how to verify any size change before you buy.
Quick answer
Most Subaru crossovers and SUVs use a 225/65R17 or 225/60R17 baseline size in Subaru's specification sheets. Subaru's owner's manuals say all four tires should be the same size, circumference, construction, brand and load range, with the same amount of wear on all four, and they give no number for acceptable wear difference. For any size change, use the Subaru tire size calculator to check the exact diameter difference first.
Why Subaru AWD changes the tire conversation
Almost every other vehicle's tire guide can be summarised as "find the right size, choose a good brand." Subaru is different. The Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system that defines every Subaru (except the BRZ) has specific tire requirements in its owner's manuals. To put a number on a size difference, the front to rear diameter difference as a percentage can be calculated for any two sizes, and the AWD tire size guide sets Subaru beside Audi, BMW, Toyota, Honda, Ford and Jeep.
Subaru wants all four tires matched
Subaru owner's manuals say all four tires should be the same size, circumference, construction, brand and load range, and that the amount of wear should be the same on all four. The manuals we read do not give a number for acceptable wear difference.
Tire size and pressure come from the placard
Subaru says the tire size and cold inflation pressure are on the label on the driver's door pillar. NHTSA says to check pressure monthly when the tires are cold (not driven for at least three hours).
Replacing fewer than four tires
The manuals do not say whether one or two tires can be replaced. Michelin says that when replacing only two tires, they should be the same size and type as the current tires, and recommends replacing all four at the same time. Ask a Subaru dealer what applies to your model and how much wear difference it allows.
What Subaru says about tire wear, and what it does not
Subaru owner's manuals require all four tires to be the same size, circumference, construction, brand and load range, with the same amount of wear on each. They do not print a tread-depth difference. You may hear a figure of 2/32 of an inch quoted by dealers; it is not in the manuals we read, so ask a Subaru dealer what applies to your model.
OEM tire sizes by model
Factory tire sizes are the most important reference point in every Subaru tire decision because they define the rolling diameter the AWD system was calibrated around and the clearance envelope the suspension was designed for. Sizes below are from Subaru of America's trim comparison sheets for the US market, model years 2013 to 2026. Subaru does not publish those sheets for 2012 and older, so for an older car use the placard on the driver's door jamb. Your own trim can differ, and the door placard always wins.
Subaru Outback
| Years | OEM tire sizes |
|---|---|
| 2013–2014 | 215/70R16, 225/60R17 |
| 2015–2021 | 225/65R17, 225/60R18 |
| 2022–2025 | 225/65R17 and 225/60R18; Wilderness: all-terrain 225/65R17 |
| 2026 | 225/65R17, 225/60R18, 225/55R19; Wilderness: all-terrain 225/65R17 |
Guide note: Sizes are from Subaru's specification sheets for the model years shown. Check your door pillar label.
Subaru Forester
| Years | OEM tire sizes |
|---|---|
| 2014–2021 | 225/60R17, 225/55R18 |
| 2022–2024 | 225/60R17 and 225/55R18; Wilderness: all-terrain 225/60R17 |
| 2025 | 225/60R17, 225/55R18, 235/50R19; Wilderness: all-terrain 225/60R17 |
| 2026 | 225/60R17, 225/55R18, 235/50R19; Wilderness: all-terrain 235/60R17 |
Guide note: Sizes are from Subaru's specification sheets for the model years shown. Check your door pillar label.
Subaru Crosstrek
| Years | OEM tire sizes |
|---|---|
| 2013–2017 | 225/55R17 |
| 2018–2023 | 225/60R17, 225/55R18 |
| 2024–2026 | 225/60R17 and 225/55R18; Wilderness: all-terrain 225/60R17 |
Guide note: Sizes are from Subaru's specification sheets for the model years shown. Check your door pillar label.
Subaru Impreza
| Years | OEM tire sizes |
|---|---|
| 2013–2016 | 195/65R15, 205/55R16, 205/50R17 |
| 2017–2023 | 205/55R16, 205/50R17, 225/40R18 (the 205/50R17 is listed through 2023) |
| 2024–2025 | 205/55R16, 225/40R18 |
| 2026 | 225/40R18 |
Guide note: Sizes are from Subaru's specification sheets for the model years shown. Check your door pillar label.
Subaru WRX
| Years | OEM tire sizes |
|---|---|
| 2013–2017 | 235/45R17, 245/40R18 |
| 2018–2021 | 235/45R17, 245/40R18, 245/35R19 |
| 2022–2023 | 235/45R17, 245/40R18 |
| 2024 | 235/45R17, 245/40R18, 245/35R19 |
| 2025–2026 | 245/40R18, 245/35R19 |
Guide note: Sizes are from Subaru's specification sheets for the model years shown. Check your door pillar label.
Subaru WRX STI
| Years | OEM tire sizes |
|---|---|
| 2015–2017 | 245/40R18 |
| 2018–2021 | 245/40R18, 245/35R19 (STI Limited) |
Guide note: Sizes are from Subaru's specification sheets for the model years shown. Check your door pillar label.
Subaru Legacy
| Years | OEM tire sizes |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 205/60R16, 215/50R17, 225/50R17, 225/45R18 |
| 2015–2025 | 225/55R17, 225/50R18 |
Guide note: Sizes are from Subaru's specification sheets for the model years shown. Check your door pillar label.
Subaru Ascent
| Years | OEM tire sizes |
|---|---|
| 2019–2026 | 245/60R18, 245/50R20 |
Guide note: Sizes are from Subaru's specification sheets for the model years shown. Check your door pillar label.
Subaru BRZ
| Years | OEM tire sizes |
|---|---|
| 2015–2017 | 215/45R17 |
| 2018–2025 | 215/45R17, 215/40R18 (the 2019 sheet lists only 215/45R17, and there is no 2021 sheet) |
| 2026 | 215/40R18 |
Guide note: Sizes are from Subaru's specification sheets for the model years shown. Check your door pillar label.
Year-based quick reference
A cross-model reference by year group, from Subaru's own specification sheets for 2013 to 2026. The Forester and Legacy sheets start in 2014, and the Legacy sheet ends in 2025.
| Year group | Outback | Forester | Crosstrek | Impreza | Legacy | WRX | Ascent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013–2014 | 215/70R16 or 225/60R17 | 225/60R17 or 225/55R18 (2014) | 225/55R17 | 195/65R15, 205/55R16 or 205/50R17 | 205/60R16, 215/50R17, 225/50R17 or 225/45R18 (2014) | 235/45R17 or 245/40R18 | N/A |
| 2015–2016 | 225/65R17 or 225/60R18 | 225/60R17 or 225/55R18 | 225/55R17 | 195/65R15, 205/55R16 or 205/50R17 | 225/55R17 or 225/50R18 | 235/45R17 or 245/40R18 | N/A |
| 2017 | 225/65R17 or 225/60R18 | 225/60R17 or 225/55R18 | 225/55R17 | 205/55R16, 205/50R17 or 225/40R18 | 225/55R17 or 225/50R18 | 235/45R17 or 245/40R18 | N/A |
| 2018–2021 | 225/65R17 or 225/60R18 | 225/60R17 or 225/55R18 | 225/60R17 or 225/55R18 | 205/55R16, 205/50R17 or 225/40R18 | 225/55R17 or 225/50R18 | 235/45R17, 245/40R18 or 245/35R19 | 245/60R18 or 245/50R20 (from 2019) |
| 2022–2023 | 225/65R17 or 225/60R18 (Wilderness: all-terrain 225/65R17) | 225/60R17 or 225/55R18 (Wilderness: all-terrain 225/60R17) | 225/60R17 or 225/55R18 | 205/55R16, 205/50R17 or 225/40R18 | 225/55R17 or 225/50R18 | 235/45R17 or 245/40R18 | 245/60R18 or 245/50R20 |
| 2024 | 225/65R17 or 225/60R18 (Wilderness: all-terrain 225/65R17) | 225/60R17 or 225/55R18 (Wilderness: all-terrain 225/60R17) | 225/60R17 or 225/55R18 (Wilderness: all-terrain 225/60R17) | 205/55R16 or 225/40R18 | 225/55R17 or 225/50R18 | 235/45R17, 245/40R18 or 245/35R19 | 245/60R18 or 245/50R20 |
| 2025–2026 | 225/65R17 or 225/60R18 (2026 adds 225/55R19) | 225/60R17, 225/55R18 or 235/50R19 (2026 Wilderness: all-terrain 235/60R17) | 225/60R17 or 225/55R18 | 205/55R16 or 225/40R18 (2025); 225/40R18 (2026) | 225/55R17 or 225/50R18 (2025 is the last sheet) | 245/40R18 or 245/35R19 | 245/60R18 or 245/50R20 |
* Sizes shown are representative base/mid trims. Higher trim levels and sport packages often use a larger wheel diameter. Always verify against your door-jamb placard for the definitive answer for your specific vehicle.
Subaru stock sizes and diameters
Subaru does not publish or approve larger tire sizes, so there is no official source for upgrade sizes and this chart lists none. The stock sizes come from Subaru's specification sheets and the diameters are calculated. Use the Subaru tire size calculator to check the diameter difference of any size you are considering, and ask a Subaru dealer about approval. To see a size drawn against stock, the to-scale tire size comparison shows it, and for wheel details such as offset, the wheel offset and backspacing calculator and the wheel and tire fitment guide cover the steps.
Crosstrek (2013–2023)
OEM stock size
225/55R17 (2013–2017), 225/60R17 or 225/55R18 (2018+)
~26.7–27.7 inch (calculated)
Forester (2014–2024)
OEM stock size
225/60R17 or 225/55R18
~27.6–27.7 inch (calculated)
Outback (2020–2024)
OEM stock size
225/65R17 or 225/60R18
~28.5 inch for 225/65R17 (calculated)
Impreza / WRX (2013+)
OEM stock size
205/55R16, 205/50R17 or 225/40R18 (Impreza); 235/45R17 or 245/40R18 (WRX)
~24.9–25.7 inch (calculated)
6 safe upgrade rules for Subaru tires
These rules come from Subaru's owner's manuals, Michelin and NHTSA.
Start from the size on your door pillar label
Subaru says the tire size and cold inflation pressure are on the driver's door pillar label. Michelin says to replace tires with the same size designation, or approved options, recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
Keep all four tires matched
Subaru's manuals say all four tires should be the same size, circumference, construction, brand and load range, with the same amount of wear. Replacing all four together is the simplest way to meet that.
Ask a Subaru dealer before replacing fewer than four tires
The manuals give no wear-difference number. A dealer can tell you what Subaru allows for your model. Michelin recommends replacing all four tires at the same time.
Check the overall diameter of any new size
A different diameter changes speedometer accuracy (calculated). Use the Subaru tire size calculator to see the exact difference before buying, and ask Subaru whether a non-original size is approved for your model.
Do not go below the original load index and speed rating
Michelin says a tire's load rating must always meet or exceed the vehicle manufacturer's value and that replacement tires should meet or exceed the specified speed rating.
Use the tire size calculator before every size change
Diameter, sidewall height and speedometer deviation are calculated from the two sizes. Never estimate them by eye.
Best tire type by Subaru use case
One of the biggest gaps in most Subaru tire guides is that they tell you the size but not which type of tire to choose for your actual driving mix. This section connects tire type to real use cases.
Year-round street driving
All-seasonExample tires
Check the tire maker's own specifications
Why
NHTSA says all-season tires can handle a variety of road conditions and have some mud and snow capabilities.
Winter driving
Winter / snow tires with the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbolExample tires
See the Winter Tire Sizing Guide
Why
NHTSA says winter tires are more effective than all-season tires in deep snow. Fit them in sets of four in the size your owner's manual approves.
Performance driving (WRX, BRZ)
The size and speed rating on your placardExample tires
Follow the vehicle manufacturer's specification
Why
NHTSA says summer tires are warm-weather tires that are not designed to operate in temperatures below freezing or on snow and ice. Michelin says replacement tires should meet or exceed the specified speed rating.
Subaru AWD tire health checklist
Use this checklist every time you rotate tires, replace a tire, or suspect drivetrain binding. The tire rotation guide, the tread depth calculator and the tire age and DOT code decoder help with the individual checks.
Common Subaru tire mistakes
Common tire mistakes and what the manuals and NHTSA say about each.
Replacing only the damaged tire without checking with a dealer
What the sources say: Subaru's manuals say all four tires should show the same amount of wear and give no number. Michelin recommends replacing all four tires at the same time.
What to do instead: Ask a Subaru dealer what applies to your model, or replace all four.
Using a spare of a different size or type for ordinary driving
What the sources say: NHTSA says a full-size spare should not be used as a replacement for worn tires except in emergencies. Check the spare tire section of your owner's manual for its limits.
What to do instead: Follow the spare tire section of your owner's manual and drive to a shop.
Changing diameter without checking speedometer error
What the sources say: A larger overall diameter makes the speedometer read lower than your actual speed (calculated).
What to do instead: Use the Subaru tire size calculator to see the exact difference before buying.
Mixing brands or models across the four tires
What the sources say: Subaru's manuals say all four tires should be the same size, circumference, construction, brand and load range.
What to do instead: Keep all four tires the same brand, model and size. Replace as a set where possible.
Not rotating or measuring wear
What the sources say: NHTSA says rotating tires can reduce irregular wear, and that if rotation is recommended it is every 5,000 to 8,000 miles or sooner if uneven wear appears.
What to do instead: Measure all four tires regularly and follow your owner's manual.
Always verify with your door-jamb placard and the tire size calculator
Subaru tire sizes can vary by trim level within the same model year. The sizes in this guide reflect representative configurations. For your specific vehicle, the most authoritative source is always the tire placard on the inside of the driver's door jamb, which lists the exact OEM size, load rating, and recommended cold inflation pressure for your trim. Use the Subaru tire size calculator to verify the diameter difference before any upgrade.
Try the Subaru Tire Size Calculator
Compare any two Subaru tire sizes and see diameter change, speedometer deviation, and sidewall difference.