205/55R17 vs 225/50R17

Switching from 205/55R17 to 225/50R17 decreases the overall diameter by 0.5 mm (0.1%). That is within the usual ±3% guideline.

205/55R17225/50R17Difference (mm / revs)
Section width205 mm225 mm+20.0
Sidewall height112.8 mm112.5 mm-0.3
Rim diameter431.8 mm431.8 mm+0.0
Overall diameter657.3 mm656.8 mm-0.5
Circumference2,065.0 mm2,063.4 mm-1.6
Revolutions484 per km485 per km+1.0

Speedometer effect

With 225/50R17 fitted on a car calibrated for 205/55R17, the real speed when the speedometer shows:

Speedometer showsActual speed
50 km/h50.0 km/h
80 km/h79.9 km/h
100 km/h99.9 km/h
120 km/h119.9 km/h

Smaller tires make the speedometer read higher than the actual speed. Most speedometers also read slightly high from the factory.

Before you change size

205/55R17 dimensions · 225/50R17 dimensions · Open in calculator