CarSpecsHQ

225/50R15 vs 175/65R15

175/65R15 is a safe swap for 225/50R15 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.41%.

15" rim
225/50R15 23.86" · 175/65R15 23.96" · drawn to scale

Side by side

225/50R15175/65R15Difference
Overall diameter23.86"23.96"+0.10" (+0.41%)
Section width225 mm175 mm-50 mm
Sidewall4.43"4.48"+0.05"
Rim15"15"same
Circumference75.0"75.3"+0.3"
Revs per mile845842-3
Ride height——+0.05"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.2+0.2 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.2 mph

With 175/65R15 on a car calibrated for 225/50R15, 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 225/50R15

Questions

Can I replace 225/50R15 with 175/65R15?

175/65R15 is a safe swap for 225/50R15 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.41%.

What's the difference between 225/50R15 and 175/65R15?

175/65R15 is 0.10" taller and 50 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.05". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.2 mph.

Will 175/65R15 fit on 225/50R15 wheels?

Both use a 15" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 175 mm tire and the fender clearance.