215/50R17 vs 215/55R17 tire size
A 215/55R17 is 0.85 inches (21 mm) taller than a 215/50R17, and the same width. Fit them in place of 215/50R17 tires and the speedometer reads low: at 60 mph on it you’re doing 62.0 mph, 3.3% faster, and the vehicle sits 0.42 inches (11 mm) higher.
Sources checked
| Dimension | 215/50R17 | 215/55R17 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter | 25.46 in (647 mm) | 26.31 in (668 mm) | +0.85 in (+21 mm) |
| Section width | 8.46 in (215 mm) | 8.46 in (215 mm) | 0.00 in (0 mm) |
| Sidewall height | 4.23 in (108 mm) | 4.66 in (118 mm) | +0.43 in (+10 mm) |
| Aspect ratio | 50% | 55% | |
| Rim diameter | 17 in | 17 in | |
| Circumference | 80.0 in (2,032 mm) | 82.7 in (2,100 mm) | +2.7 in |
| Revolutions per mile | 792 | 767 | −25 |
| Revolutions per km | 492 | 476 | −16 |
Check another speed or size
Metric, LT and flotation
At 60 mph on the speedometer you’re doing
62.0mph
+3.3% · the speedometer reads low
- Height
- +0.85 in (+21 mm)
- Width
- 0.00 in (0 mm)
- Ground clearance
- +0.42 in (+11 mm)
- Each side, same wheel
- 0.00 in (0 mm)
215/50R17 and 215/55R17 side by side
| Dimension | 215/50R17 | 215/55R17 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter | 25.46 in (647 mm) | 26.31 in (668 mm) | +0.85 in (+21 mm) |
| Section width | 8.46 in (215 mm) | 8.46 in (215 mm) | 0.00 in (0 mm) |
| Sidewall height | 4.23 in (108 mm) | 4.66 in (118 mm) | +0.43 in (+10 mm) |
| Aspect ratio | 50% | 55% | |
| Rim diameter | 17 in | 17 in | |
| Circumference | 80.0 in | 82.7 in | +2.7 in |
| Revolutions per mile | 792 | 767 | −25 |
| Revolutions per km | 492 | 476 | −16 |
The working
- 215/50R17: sidewall = 215 mm × 50% = 107.5 mm = 4.23 in.
- Diameter = rim + 2 × sidewall = 17 + 2 × 4.23 = 25.46 in (647 mm).
- Circumference = π × 25.46 = 80.0 in; revolutions per mile = 63,360 ÷ 80.0 = 792.
- 215/55R17: sidewall = 215 mm × 55% = 118.3 mm = 4.66 in.
- Diameter = rim + 2 × sidewall = 17 + 2 × 4.66 = 26.31 in (668 mm).
- Circumference = π × 26.31 = 82.7 in; revolutions per mile = 63,360 ÷ 82.7 = 767.
- Speedometer. True speed = what it shows × new diameter ÷ old = 60 × 26.31 ÷ 25.46 = 62.0 mph.
- Ground clearance. Half the change in diameter: (26.31 − 25.46) ÷ 2 = +0.42 in.
Speedometer
A 215/55R17 turns 767 times a mile against the 215/50R17’s 792. With a speedometer set for 215/50R17, true speed is what it shows × 26.31 ÷ 25.46:
| Speedometer shows | True speed | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 25 mph | 25.8 mph | +0.8 mph |
| 35 mph | 36.2 mph | +1.2 mph |
| 45 mph | 46.5 mph | +1.5 mph |
| 55 mph | 56.8 mph | +1.8 mph |
| 65 mph | 67.2 mph | +2.2 mph |
| 75 mph | 77.5 mph | +2.5 mph |
Clearance
- Ground clearance: +0.42 in (+11 mm), half the change in diameter.
- Top of the tread: +0.42 in (+11 mm), so that much less room under the fender.
- Each side, on the same wheel: no change.
A new wheel with a different width or offset moves the tire again. The sidewall goes from 4.23 to 4.66 inches.
What tire makers publish
Inflated on the maker’s measuring rim; the percentage is against the arithmetic.
| Tire | Size as printed | Diameter | Width | Revs per mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyo Extensa A/S II | 215/50R17 | 25.5 in (+0.1%) | 8.9 in | 814 |
| Toyo Proxes Sport A/S | 215/50R17 | 25.5 in (+0.1%) | 8.9 in | 814 |
| Toyo Extensa A/S II | 215/55R17 | 26.3 in (0.0%) | 8.9 in | 790 |
Each size on its own
- 215/50R17 tire size: 25.5 × 8.5 in
- 215/55R17 tire size: 26.3 × 8.5 in
Other comparisons
Questions
Can I fit 215/55R17 tires instead of 215/50R17?
They fit the same 17-inch wheels. A 215/55R17 is 0.85 inches (21 mm) taller than a 215/50R17, and the same width, so check three things first: that your wheels are within the 215/55R17’s approved rim width range, which tire makers list for each size; that it clears the fenders and suspension at full lock and full travel; and that its load index meets what your door-jamb placard asks for.
How far off is the speedometer with 215/55R17 tires?
With a speedometer set for 215/50R17, the speedometer reads low: at 60 mph on it you’re doing 62.0 mph, 3.3% faster. The odometer is off the same way: over 1,000 miles driven it shows 967.8.
Does 215/55R17 change the ground clearance?
By +0.42 inches (+11 mm), half the change in diameter, at the axles and at the lowest point under them. The width doesn’t change.
Sources
- Bridgestone Americas: Determining tire size: P-metric, Euro-metric, LT-metric, C-type and flotation sizes, and what each number means (checked October 28, 2026)
- Toyo Tires: Extensa A/S II sizes and specifications: inflated overall diameter and width, revolutions per mile (checked October 28, 2026)
- Toyo Tires: Proxes Sport A/S sizes and specifications: inflated overall diameter and width, revolutions per mile (checked October 28, 2026)
- Toyo Tires: Open Country A/T III sizes and specifications: P-metric, LT-metric and flotation sizes, with revolutions per mile (checked October 28, 2026)
- Nitto Tire: Trail Grappler M/T sizes and specs: inflated overall diameter and width, LT-metric and flotation sizes (checked October 28, 2026)
Spotted a number that doesn’t match your manual or a source? Tell us; corrections are logged on the sources page.