215/50R17 vs 215/55R17
New overall diameter
26.31″
was 25.46″
True speed at an indicated 60
62.0 mph
speedometer reads low
Revolutions per mile
767
was 792 · −25
Switching from 215/50R17 to 215/55R17? Everything that changes is below — sidewall, tread width, circumference, revolutions per mile and speedometer error at road speeds.
| Measurement | 215/50R17 | 215/55R17 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter | 25.46″ | 26.31″ | +0.85″ (+3.3%) |
| Sidewall height | 4.23″ (107.5 mm) | 4.66″ (118.3 mm) | +10.8 mm |
| Tread width | 215 mm | 215 mm | +0 mm |
| Circumference | 80.00″ | 82.66″ | +2.66″ |
| Revs per mile | 792 | 767 | −25 |
| Speedometer error | baseline | +3.3% | reads low |
Diameter overlay
215/50R17 215/55R17
Speedometer check
With 215/55R17 fitted, when the speedometer shows the indicated speed, your actual speed is:
25 mph shown
25.8 mph actual
35 mph shown
36.2 mph actual
45 mph shown
46.5 mph actual
55 mph shown
56.8 mph actual
65 mph shown
67.2 mph actual
75 mph shown
77.5 mph actual
Common questions
- Will 215/55R17 fit instead of 215/50R17?
- Marginal fit — proceed with care. The 3.3% diameter change is between 3% and 5%. It can work, but expect noticeable speedometer error and check wheel-well clearance, scrub radius and gearing before committing. Your speedometer will read lower than your true speed. Overall diameter goes from 25.46″ to 26.31″, a change of +3.3%. As a rule of thumb, under 3% is safe, 3–5% needs a clearance check, and over 5% is not recommended.
- How far off will my speedometer read on 215/55R17?
- At an indicated 60 mph you would actually be travelling about 62.0 mph — a +3.3% error. The speedometer reads low, so you are going faster than it shows.
- What is the difference in revolutions per mile between 215/50R17 and 215/55R17?
- 215/50R17 turns roughly 792 revolutions per mile; 215/55R17 turns roughly 767. That is a change of −25 revolutions per mile, which is what shifts odometer and speedometer readings.