TireSizeCheck

225/65R17 vs 255/65R17

Fit verdict

Too big a jump

Diameter change

+5.4%

5.4% is past the 5% mark, which is where this stops being a tire choice and starts being a project. Expect rubbing, meaningful speedometer error, and extra load on ABS, stability control and the drivetrain. Recalibration is the usual fix. Your speedometer will read low, so you are going faster than it says.

New overall diameter

30.05″

was 28.52″

True speed at an indicated 60

63.2 mph

your speedo reads low

Revolutions per mile

671

was 707, −36

Measurement 225/65R17 255/65R17 Change
Overall diameter 28.52″ 30.05″ +1.54″ (+5.4%)
Sidewall height 5.76″ (146.3 mm) 6.53″ (165.8 mm) +19.5 mm
Tread width 225 mm 255 mm +30 mm
Circumference 89.58″ 94.41″ +4.82″
Revs per mile 707 671 −36
Speedometer error baseline +5.4% reads low

Diameter overlay

225/65R17 255/65R17

Speedometer check

With 255/65R17 fitted, when the speedometer shows the indicated speed, your actual speed is:

25 mph shown

26.3 mph actual

35 mph shown

36.9 mph actual

45 mph shown

47.4 mph actual

55 mph shown

58.0 mph actual

65 mph shown

68.5 mph actual

75 mph shown

79.0 mph actual

Common questions

Will 255/65R17 fit instead of 225/65R17?
5.4% is past the 5% mark, which is where this stops being a tire choice and starts being a project. Expect rubbing, meaningful speedometer error, and extra load on ABS, stability control and the drivetrain. Recalibration is the usual fix. Your speedometer will read low, so you are going faster than it says. Overall diameter goes from 28.52″ to 30.05″, a change of +5.4%. 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 255/65R17?
At an indicated 60 mph you are really doing about 63.2 mph, a +5.4% error. The speedometer reads low, so you are going faster than it shows.
What is the difference in revolutions per mile between 225/65R17 and 255/65R17?
225/65R17 turns about 707 times per mile and 255/65R17 turns about 671, a difference of −36. Your speedometer and odometer both count rotations, so this number is what throws them off.