CarSpecsHQ

195/55R16 vs 215/45R17

215/45R17 is a safe swap for 195/55R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.71%.

16" → 17"
195/55R16 24.44" · 215/45R17 24.62" · drawn to scale

Side by side

195/55R16215/45R17Difference
Overall diameter24.44"24.62"+0.17" (+0.71%)
Section width195 mm215 mm+20 mm
Sidewall4.22"3.81"-0.41"
Rim16"17"+1"
Circumference76.8"77.3"+0.5"
Revs per mile825819-6
Ride height——+0.09"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.4+0.4 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.4 mph

With 215/45R17 on a car calibrated for 195/55R16, the speedometer reads 59.6 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.7%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.2 mph
45 mph45.3 mph
60 mph60.4 mph
70 mph70.5 mph
80 mph80.6 mph

Other sizes close to 195/55R16

Questions

Can I replace 195/55R16 with 215/45R17?

215/45R17 is a safe swap for 195/55R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.71%.

What's the difference between 195/55R16 and 215/45R17?

215/45R17 is 0.17" taller and 20 mm wider; the sidewall is -0.41". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.4 mph.

Will 215/45R17 fit on 195/55R16 wheels?

No — 195/55R16 needs a 16" wheel and 215/45R17 a 17" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.