CarSpecsHQ

33x12.50R17 vs 255/80R17

255/80R17 is a safe swap for 33x12.50R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.19%.

17" rim
33x12.50R17 33.00" · 255/80R17 33.06" · drawn to scale

Side by side

33x12.50R17255/80R17Difference
Overall diameter33.00"33.06"+0.06" (+0.19%)
Section width318 mm255 mm-63 mm
Sidewall8.00"8.03"+0.03"
Rim17"17"same
Circumference103.7"103.9"+0.2"
Revs per mile611610-1
Ride height——+0.03"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.1+0.1 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.1 mph

With 255/80R17 on a car calibrated for 33x12.50R17, the speedometer reads 59.9 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.2%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.1 mph
45 mph45.1 mph
60 mph60.1 mph
70 mph70.1 mph
80 mph80.2 mph

Other sizes close to 33x12.50R17

Questions

Can I replace 33x12.50R17 with 255/80R17?

255/80R17 is a safe swap for 33x12.50R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.19%.

What's the difference between 33x12.50R17 and 255/80R17?

255/80R17 is 0.06" taller and 63 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.03". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.1 mph.

Will 255/80R17 fit on 33x12.50R17 wheels?

Both use a 17" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 255 mm tire and the fender clearance.