CarSpecsHQ

245/40R17 vs 205/50R17

205/50R17 is a safe swap for 245/40R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.43%.

17" rim
245/40R17 24.72" · 205/50R17 25.07" · drawn to scale

Side by side

245/40R17205/50R17Difference
Overall diameter24.72"25.07"+0.35" (+1.43%)
Section width245 mm205 mm-40 mm
Sidewall3.86"4.04"+0.18"
Rim17"17"same
Circumference77.6"78.8"+1.1"
Revs per mile816804-12
Ride height——+0.18"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.9+0.9 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.9 mph

With 205/50R17 on a car calibrated for 245/40R17, the speedometer reads 59.2 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.4%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.4 mph
45 mph45.6 mph
60 mph60.9 mph
70 mph71.0 mph
80 mph81.1 mph

Other sizes close to 245/40R17

Questions

Can I replace 245/40R17 with 205/50R17?

205/50R17 is a safe swap for 245/40R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.43%.

What's the difference between 245/40R17 and 205/50R17?

205/50R17 is 0.35" taller and 40 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.18". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.9 mph.

Will 205/50R17 fit on 245/40R17 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.