CarSpecsHQ

225/45R15 vs 195/55R15

195/55R15 is a safe swap for 225/45R15 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.06%.

15" rim
225/45R15 22.97" · 195/55R15 23.44" · drawn to scale

Side by side

225/45R15195/55R15Difference
Overall diameter22.97"23.44"+0.47" (+2.06%)
Section width225 mm195 mm-30 mm
Sidewall3.99"4.22"+0.24"
Rim15"15"same
Circumference72.2"73.7"+1.5"
Revs per mile878860-18
Ride height——+0.24"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.2+1.2 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.2 mph

With 195/55R15 on a car calibrated for 225/45R15, the speedometer reads 58.8 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.1%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.6 mph
45 mph45.9 mph
60 mph61.2 mph
70 mph71.4 mph
80 mph81.6 mph

Other sizes close to 225/45R15

Questions

Can I replace 225/45R15 with 195/55R15?

195/55R15 is a safe swap for 225/45R15 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.06%.

What's the difference between 225/45R15 and 195/55R15?

195/55R15 is 0.47" taller and 30 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.24". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.2 mph.

Will 195/55R15 fit on 225/45R15 wheels?

Both use a 15" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 195 mm tire and the fender clearance.