205/65R15 vs 225/50R17
New overall diameter
25.86″
was 25.49″
True speed at an indicated 60
60.9 mph
your speedo reads low
Revolutions per mile
780
was 791, −11
| Measurement | 205/65R15 | 225/50R17 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter | 25.49″ | 25.86″ | +0.37″ (+1.4%) |
| Sidewall height | 5.25″ (133.3 mm) | 4.43″ (112.5 mm) | −20.8 mm |
| Tread width | 205 mm | 225 mm | +20 mm |
| Circumference | 80.09″ | 81.24″ | +1.15″ |
| Revs per mile | 791 | 780 | −11 |
| Speedometer error | baseline | +1.4% | reads low |
Diameter overlay
205/65R15 225/50R17
Speedometer check
With 225/50R17 fitted, when the speedometer shows the indicated speed, your actual speed is:
25 mph shown
25.4 mph actual
35 mph shown
35.5 mph actual
45 mph shown
45.6 mph actual
55 mph shown
55.8 mph actual
65 mph shown
65.9 mph actual
75 mph shown
76.1 mph actual
Common questions
- Will 225/50R17 fit instead of 205/65R15?
- Diameter moves 1.4%, comfortably inside the 3% rule. Your speedometer, ABS, traction control and gearing all stay in the range they were calibrated for. Your speedometer will read low, so you are going faster than it says. Overall diameter goes from 25.49″ to 25.86″, a change of +1.4%. The rule of thumb most shops use: under 3% is fine, 3 to 5% needs a clearance check, over 5% needs recalibration.
- How far off will my speedometer read on 225/50R17?
- At an indicated 60 mph you are really doing about 60.9 mph, a +1.4% error. The speedometer reads low, so you are going faster than it shows.
- What is the difference in revolutions per mile between 205/65R15 and 225/50R17?
- 205/65R15 turns about 791 times per mile and 225/50R17 turns about 780, a difference of −11. Your speedometer and odometer both count rotations, so this number is what throws them off.