CarSpecsHQ

205/50R17 vs 215/50R17

215/50R17 is a safe swap for 205/50R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.57%.

17" rim
205/50R17 25.07" · 215/50R17 25.46" · drawn to scale

Side by side

205/50R17215/50R17Difference
Overall diameter25.07"25.46"+0.39" (+1.57%)
Section width205 mm215 mm+10 mm
Sidewall4.04"4.23"+0.20"
Rim17"17"same
Circumference78.8"80.0"+1.2"
Revs per mile804792-12
Ride height——+0.20"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.9+0.9 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.9 mph

With 215/50R17 on a car calibrated for 205/50R17, the speedometer reads 59.1 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.6%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.5 mph
45 mph45.7 mph
60 mph60.9 mph
70 mph71.1 mph
80 mph81.3 mph

Other sizes close to 205/50R17

Questions

Can I replace 205/50R17 with 215/50R17?

215/50R17 is a safe swap for 205/50R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.57%.

What's the difference between 205/50R17 and 215/50R17?

215/50R17 is 0.39" taller and 10 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.20". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.9 mph.

Will 215/50R17 fit on 205/50R17 wheels?

Both use a 17" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 215 mm tire and the fender clearance.