CarSpecsHQ

235/40R17 vs 205/50R17

205/50R17 is a safe swap for 235/40R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.74%.

17" rim
235/40R17 24.40" · 205/50R17 25.07" · drawn to scale

Side by side

235/40R17205/50R17Difference
Overall diameter24.40"25.07"+0.67" (+2.74%)
Section width235 mm205 mm-30 mm
Sidewall3.70"4.04"+0.33"
Rim17"17"same
Circumference76.7"78.8"+2.1"
Revs per mile827804-22
Ride height——+0.33"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.6+1.6 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.6 mph

With 205/50R17 on a car calibrated for 235/40R17, the speedometer reads 58.4 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.7%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.8 mph
45 mph46.2 mph
60 mph61.6 mph
70 mph71.9 mph
80 mph82.2 mph

Other sizes close to 235/40R17

Questions

Can I replace 235/40R17 with 205/50R17?

205/50R17 is a safe swap for 235/40R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.74%.

What's the difference between 235/40R17 and 205/50R17?

205/50R17 is 0.67" taller and 30 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.33". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.6 mph.

Will 205/50R17 fit on 235/40R17 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.