CarSpecsHQ

225/50R17 vs 215/55R17

215/55R17 is a safe swap for 225/50R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.75%.

17" rim
225/50R17 25.86" · 215/55R17 26.31" · drawn to scale

Side by side

225/50R17215/55R17Difference
Overall diameter25.86"26.31"+0.45" (+1.75%)
Section width225 mm215 mm-10 mm
Sidewall4.43"4.66"+0.23"
Rim17"17"same
Circumference81.2"82.7"+1.4"
Revs per mile780767-13
Ride height——+0.23"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.1+1.1 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.1 mph

With 215/55R17 on a car calibrated for 225/50R17, the speedometer reads 59.0 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.8%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.5 mph
45 mph45.8 mph
60 mph61.1 mph
70 mph71.2 mph
80 mph81.4 mph

Other sizes close to 225/50R17

Questions

Can I replace 225/50R17 with 215/55R17?

215/55R17 is a safe swap for 225/50R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.75%.

What's the difference between 225/50R17 and 215/55R17?

215/55R17 is 0.45" taller and 10 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.23". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.1 mph.

Will 215/55R17 fit on 225/50R17 wheels?

Both use a 17" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 215 mm tire and the fender clearance.