CarSpecsHQ

215/50R17 vs 245/50R16

245/50R16 is a safe swap for 215/50R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.71%.

17" → 16"
215/50R17 25.46" · 245/50R16 25.65" · drawn to scale

Side by side

215/50R17245/50R16Difference
Overall diameter25.46"25.65"+0.18" (+0.71%)
Section width215 mm245 mm+30 mm
Sidewall4.23"4.82"+0.59"
Rim17"16"-1"
Circumference80.0"80.6"+0.6"
Revs per mile792786-6
Ride height——+0.09"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.4+0.4 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.4 mph

With 245/50R16 on a car calibrated for 215/50R17, 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 215/50R17

Questions

Can I replace 215/50R17 with 245/50R16?

245/50R16 is a safe swap for 215/50R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.71%.

What's the difference between 215/50R17 and 245/50R16?

245/50R16 is 0.18" taller and 30 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.59". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.4 mph.

Will 245/50R16 fit on 215/50R17 wheels?

No — 215/50R17 needs a 17" wheel and 245/50R16 a 16" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.