CarSpecsHQ

215/50R17 vs 275/40R17

275/40R17 is a safe swap for 215/50R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.77%.

17" rim
215/50R17 25.46" · 275/40R17 25.66" · drawn to scale

Side by side

215/50R17275/40R17Difference
Overall diameter25.46"25.66"+0.20" (+0.77%)
Section width215 mm275 mm+60 mm
Sidewall4.23"4.33"+0.10"
Rim17"17"same
Circumference80.0"80.6"+0.6"
Revs per mile792786-6
Ride height——+0.10"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.5+0.5 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.5 mph

With 275/40R17 on a car calibrated for 215/50R17, 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 215/50R17

Questions

Can I replace 215/50R17 with 275/40R17?

275/40R17 is a safe swap for 215/50R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.77%.

What's the difference between 215/50R17 and 275/40R17?

275/40R17 is 0.20" taller and 60 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.10". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.5 mph.

Will 275/40R17 fit on 215/50R17 wheels?

Both use a 17" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 275 mm tire and the fender clearance.