CarSpecsHQ

205/55R16 vs 205/50R17

205/50R17 is a safe swap for 205/55R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.78%.

16" → 17"
205/55R16 24.88" · 205/50R17 25.07" · drawn to scale

Side by side

205/55R16205/50R17Difference
Overall diameter24.88"25.07"+0.19" (+0.78%)
Section width205 mm205 mm0 mm
Sidewall4.44"4.04"-0.40"
Rim16"17"+1"
Circumference78.2"78.8"+0.6"
Revs per mile811804-6
Ride height——+0.10"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.5+0.5 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.5 mph

With 205/50R17 on a car calibrated for 205/55R16, the speedometer reads 59.5 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.8%.

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

Other sizes close to 205/55R16

Questions

Can I replace 205/55R16 with 205/50R17?

205/50R17 is a safe swap for 205/55R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.78%.

What's the difference between 205/55R16 and 205/50R17?

205/50R17 is 0.19" taller and 0 mm wider; the sidewall is -0.40". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.5 mph.

Will 205/50R17 fit on 205/55R16 wheels?

No — 205/55R16 needs a 16" wheel and 205/50R17 a 17" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.