CarSpecsHQ

245/50R16 vs 245/45R17

245/45R17 is a safe swap for 245/50R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.14%.

16" → 17"
245/50R16 25.65" · 245/45R17 25.68" · drawn to scale

Side by side

245/50R16245/45R17Difference
Overall diameter25.65"25.68"+0.04" (+0.14%)
Section width245 mm245 mm0 mm
Sidewall4.82"4.34"-0.48"
Rim16"17"+1"
Circumference80.6"80.7"+0.1"
Revs per mile786785-1
Ride height——+0.02"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.1+0.1 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.1 mph

With 245/45R17 on a car calibrated for 245/50R16, the speedometer reads 59.9 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.1%.

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

Other sizes close to 245/50R16

Questions

Can I replace 245/50R16 with 245/45R17?

245/45R17 is a safe swap for 245/50R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.14%.

What's the difference between 245/50R16 and 245/45R17?

245/45R17 is 0.04" taller and 0 mm wider; the sidewall is -0.48". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.1 mph.

Will 245/45R17 fit on 245/50R16 wheels?

No — 245/50R16 needs a 16" wheel and 245/45R17 a 17" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.