215/55R17 vs 215/60R17 tire size

A 215/60R17 is 0.85 inches (21 mm) taller than a 215/55R17, and the same width. Fit them in place of 215/55R17 tires and the speedometer reads low: at 60 mph on it you’re doing 61.9 mph, 3.2% faster, and the vehicle sits 0.42 inches (11 mm) higher.

Sources checked

Dimension215/55R17215/60R17Change
Overall diameter26.31 in (668 mm)27.16 in (690 mm)+0.85 in (+22 mm)
Section width8.46 in (215 mm)8.46 in (215 mm)0.00 in (0 mm)
Sidewall height4.66 in (118 mm)5.08 in (129 mm)+0.42 in (+11 mm)
Aspect ratio55%60%
Rim diameter17 in17 in
Circumference82.7 in (2,100 mm)85.3 in (2,167 mm)+2.6 in
Revolutions per mile767743−24
Revolutions per km476461−15

Check another speed or size

Metric, LT and flotation

As printed on the sidewall: 265/70R17, LT285/75R16, 33x12.50R15.

Leave it empty to see one size on its own.

mph

Set for your tire size.

Speed unit

At 60 mph on the speedometer you’re doing

61.9mph

+3.2% · 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)

215/55R17 and 215/60R17 side by side

Dimension215/55R17215/60R17Change
Overall diameter26.31 in (668 mm)27.16 in (690 mm)+0.85 in (+22 mm)
Section width8.46 in (215 mm)8.46 in (215 mm)0.00 in (0 mm)
Sidewall height4.66 in (118 mm)5.08 in (129 mm)+0.42 in (+11 mm)
Aspect ratio55%60%
Rim diameter17 in17 in
Circumference82.7 in85.3 in+2.6 in
Revolutions per mile767743−24
Revolutions per km476461−15

The working

  1. 215/55R17: sidewall = 215 mm × 55% = 118.3 mm = 4.66 in.
  2. Diameter = rim + 2 × sidewall = 17 + 2 × 4.66 = 26.31 in (668 mm).
  3. Circumference = π × 26.31 = 82.7 in; revolutions per mile = 63,360 ÷ 82.7 = 767.
  4. 215/60R17: sidewall = 215 mm × 60% = 129.0 mm = 5.08 in.
  5. Diameter = rim + 2 × sidewall = 17 + 2 × 5.08 = 27.16 in (690 mm).
  6. Circumference = π × 27.16 = 85.3 in; revolutions per mile = 63,360 ÷ 85.3 = 743.
  7. Speedometer. True speed = what it shows × new diameter ÷ old = 60 × 27.16 ÷ 26.31 = 61.9 mph.
  8. Ground clearance. Half the change in diameter: (27.16 − 26.31) ÷ 2 = +0.42 in.

Speedometer

A 215/60R17 turns 743 times a mile against the 215/55R17’s 767. With a speedometer set for 215/55R17, true speed is what it shows × 27.16 ÷ 26.31:

Speedometer showsTrue speedDifference
25 mph25.8 mph+0.8 mph
35 mph36.1 mph+1.1 mph
45 mph46.4 mph+1.4 mph
55 mph56.8 mph+1.8 mph
65 mph67.1 mph+2.1 mph
75 mph77.4 mph+2.4 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 4.66 to 5.08 inches.

What tire makers publish

Inflated on the maker’s measuring rim; the percentage is against the arithmetic.

TireSize as printedDiameterWidthRevs per mile
Toyo Extensa A/S II215/55R1726.3 in (0.0%)8.9 in790
Toyo Extensa A/S II215/60R1727.2 in (+0.2%)8.7 in765

Each size on its own

Other comparisons

Questions

Can I fit 215/60R17 tires instead of 215/55R17?

They fit the same 17-inch wheels. A 215/60R17 is 0.85 inches (21 mm) taller than a 215/55R17, and the same width, so check three things first: that your wheels are within the 215/60R17’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 215/60R17 tires?

With a speedometer set for 215/55R17, the speedometer reads low: at 60 mph on it you’re doing 61.9 mph, 3.2% faster. The odometer is off the same way: over 1,000 miles driven it shows 968.8.

Does 215/60R17 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

  1. 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)
  2. Toyo Tires: Extensa A/S II sizes and specifications: inflated overall diameter and width, revolutions per mile (checked October 28, 2026)
  3. Toyo Tires: Proxes Sport A/S sizes and specifications: inflated overall diameter and width, revolutions per mile (checked October 28, 2026)
  4. 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)
  5. 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.