Volkswagen Beetle tire size
Original tire sizes for the Volkswagen Beetle, model years 1955 through 1979. Trim levels and wheel packages change the size within the same year, so confirm on the door-jamb sticker before ordering.
Check before you order. The surest answer is the tires on the car right now: the size is molded into the sidewall. The placard inside the driver's door tells you what the factory fitted, which can differ from what a previous owner put on. Our guide on reading a tire size shows exactly where to look.
- 1979
- 1978
- 1977
- 1976
- 1975
- 1974
- 1973
- 1972
- 1971
- 1970
- 1969
- 1968
- 1967
- 1966
- 1965
- 1964
- 1963
- 1962
- 1961
- 1960
- 1959
- 1958
- 1957
- 1956
- 1955
Size by year and trim
| Model years | Trim or package | Tire size | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971-1979 | Super Beetle | 165R15 | $100 |
| 1955-1979 | Standard | 155R15 | $95 |
Tire size by model year
| Model year | Tire size | Trim or package | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 Volkswagen Beetle | 165R15, 155R15 | Super Beetle or Standard | $95 |
| 1978 Volkswagen Beetle | 165R15, 155R15 | Super Beetle or Standard | $95 |
| 1977 Volkswagen Beetle | 165R15, 155R15 | Super Beetle or Standard | $95 |
| 1976 Volkswagen Beetle | 165R15, 155R15 | Super Beetle or Standard | $95 |
| 1975 Volkswagen Beetle | 165R15, 155R15 | Super Beetle or Standard | $95 |
| 1974 Volkswagen Beetle | 165R15, 155R15 | Super Beetle or Standard | $95 |
| 1973 Volkswagen Beetle | 165R15, 155R15 | Super Beetle or Standard | $95 |
| 1972 Volkswagen Beetle | 165R15, 155R15 | Super Beetle or Standard | $95 |
| 1971 Volkswagen Beetle | 165R15, 155R15 | Super Beetle or Standard | $95 |
| 1970 Volkswagen Beetle | 155R15 | Standard | $95 |
| 1969 Volkswagen Beetle | 155R15 | Standard | $95 |
| 1968 Volkswagen Beetle | 155R15 | Standard | $95 |
Show the remaining 13 model years
| Model year | Tire size | Trim or package | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 Volkswagen Beetle | 155R15 | Standard | $95 |
| 1966 Volkswagen Beetle | 155R15 | Standard | $95 |
| 1965 Volkswagen Beetle | 155R15 | Standard | $95 |
| 1964 Volkswagen Beetle | 155R15 | Standard | $95 |
| 1963 Volkswagen Beetle | 155R15 | Standard | $95 |
| 1962 Volkswagen Beetle | 155R15 | Standard | $95 |
| 1961 Volkswagen Beetle | 155R15 | Standard | $95 |
| 1960 Volkswagen Beetle | 155R15 | Standard | $95 |
| 1959 Volkswagen Beetle | 155R15 | Standard | $95 |
| 1958 Volkswagen Beetle | 155R15 | Standard | $95 |
| 1957 Volkswagen Beetle | 155R15 | Standard | $95 |
| 1956 Volkswagen Beetle | 155R15 | Standard | $95 |
| 1955 Volkswagen Beetle | 155R15 | Standard | $95 |
Which brand should you pick?
Volkswagen does not stamp its own approval code on tires the way Porsche or BMW do. Any tire in the right size that meets or exceeds the load index and speed rating on your door placard is a legitimate replacement, so pick on wet braking, tread life and price. Our picks for each size are on the size pages below.
The drawing carries the sizes we list for this car, so you know what you are looking for. The placard on the car is still the final word, and it is the only place that gives the cold pressures: the number molded into the sidewall is the maximum the tire can hold, not what your car wants.
What those tires cost
Volkswagen Beetle tires: common questions
What size tires does a Volkswagen Beetle take?
The most common original size is 165R15. Other model years and trims use different sizes, so check the list on this page and confirm against the sticker inside your driver's door.
Can I fit a different size on my Volkswagen Beetle?
You can, within limits: the overall diameter should stay within about 3 percent of the original, and the load index and speed rating must meet or exceed the door placard. Anything further changes your speedometer reading and can rub at full lock.
Where is the tire size on a Volkswagen Beetle?
Open the driver's door and look at the white and yellow placard on the door jamb or the B-pillar. The same size is also molded into the sidewall of the tires currently on the car, unless someone changed them.
What size tires does a 1979 Volkswagen Beetle take?
The 1979 Volkswagen Beetle came from the factory on 165R15 and 155R15. Wheel packages can change that within the same model year, so check the placard inside the door jamb before you order.
What size tires does a 1978 Volkswagen Beetle take?
The 1978 Volkswagen Beetle came from the factory on 165R15 and 155R15. Wheel packages can change that within the same model year, so check the placard inside the door jamb before you order.
What size tires does a 1977 Volkswagen Beetle take?
The 1977 Volkswagen Beetle came from the factory on 165R15 and 155R15. Wheel packages can change that within the same model year, so check the placard inside the door jamb before you order.