CarSpecsHQ

205/55R16 vs 225/45R17

225/45R17 is a safe swap for 205/55R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.38%.

16" → 17"
205/55R16 24.88" · 225/45R17 24.97" · drawn to scale

Side by side

205/55R16225/45R17Difference
Overall diameter24.88"24.97"+0.09" (+0.38%)
Section width205 mm225 mm+20 mm
Sidewall4.44"3.99"-0.45"
Rim16"17"+1"
Circumference78.2"78.5"+0.3"
Revs per mile811808-3
Ride height——+0.05"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.2+0.2 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.2 mph

With 225/45R17 on a car calibrated for 205/55R16, the speedometer reads 59.8 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.4%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.1 mph
45 mph45.2 mph
60 mph60.2 mph
70 mph70.3 mph
80 mph80.3 mph

Other sizes close to 205/55R16

Questions

Can I replace 205/55R16 with 225/45R17?

225/45R17 is a safe swap for 205/55R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.38%.

What's the difference between 205/55R16 and 225/45R17?

225/45R17 is 0.09" taller and 20 mm wider; the sidewall is -0.45". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.2 mph.

Will 225/45R17 fit on 205/55R16 wheels?

No — 205/55R16 needs a 16" wheel and 225/45R17 a 17" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.