CarSpecsHQ

245/50R16 vs 225/55R16

225/55R16 is a safe swap for 245/50R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.38%.

16" rim
245/50R16 25.65" · 225/55R16 25.74" · drawn to scale

Side by side

245/50R16225/55R16Difference
Overall diameter25.65"25.74"+0.10" (+0.38%)
Section width245 mm225 mm-20 mm
Sidewall4.82"4.87"+0.05"
Rim16"16"same
Circumference80.6"80.9"+0.3"
Revs per mile786783-3
Ride height——+0.05"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.2+0.2 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.2 mph

With 225/55R16 on a car calibrated for 245/50R16, 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 245/50R16

Questions

Can I replace 245/50R16 with 225/55R16?

225/55R16 is a safe swap for 245/50R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.38%.

What's the difference between 245/50R16 and 225/55R16?

225/55R16 is 0.10" taller and 20 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.05". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.2 mph.

Will 225/55R16 fit on 245/50R16 wheels?

Both use a 16" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 225 mm tire and the fender clearance.