CarSpecsHQ

225/50R17 vs 205/55R17

205/55R17 is a safe swap for 225/50R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.08%.

17" rim
225/50R17 25.86" · 205/55R17 25.88" · drawn to scale

Side by side

225/50R17205/55R17Difference
Overall diameter25.86"25.88"+0.02" (+0.08%)
Section width225 mm205 mm-20 mm
Sidewall4.43"4.44"+0.01"
Rim17"17"same
Circumference81.2"81.3"+0.1"
Revs per mile780779-1
Ride height——+0.01"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.0+0.0 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.0 mph

With 205/55R17 on a car calibrated for 225/50R17, the speedometer reads 60.0 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.1%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.0 mph
45 mph45.0 mph
60 mph60.0 mph
70 mph70.1 mph
80 mph80.1 mph

Other sizes close to 225/50R17

Questions

Can I replace 225/50R17 with 205/55R17?

205/55R17 is a safe swap for 225/50R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.08%.

What's the difference between 225/50R17 and 205/55R17?

205/55R17 is 0.02" taller and 20 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.01". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.0 mph.

Will 205/55R17 fit on 225/50R17 wheels?

Both use a 17" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 205 mm tire and the fender clearance.