205/50R17 Tire Size in Inches

Diameter, width, sidewall and the closest equivalent sizes, computed from the size code.

205/50R17
25.1" tall × 8.1" wide
On a 17-inch wheel · roughly 25.1x8.1R17 in flotation sizing
MeasurementInchesMillimetres
Overall diameter25.07637
Section width8.07205
Sidewall height4.04102.5
Wheel diameter17432
Circumference78.82001
Revolutions per mile804 (500 per km)

What 205/50R17 means

205 is the section width in millimetres (8.1 in). 50 is the aspect ratio: the sidewall is 50% as tall as the tire is wide, which works out to 102.5 mm or 4.0 in. R17 is a radial tire for a 17-inch wheel.

Overall diameter is the wheel plus two sidewalls: 17 + 2 × 4.04 = 25.1 inches. These are the nominal dimensions every maker builds to; a real 205/50R17 can measure a few tenths of an inch differently by model and inflation.

Closest equivalent sizes

Common sizes within the usual 3% of 205/50R17's overall diameter. Confirm load index, speed rating and rim width before swapping.

SizeDiameterWidthChangeSpeedometer at 60
225/40R18 new wheels 25.1 in 8.9 in +0.1% really 60.0 mph
255/40R17 25.0 in 10.0 in -0.2% really 59.9 mph
255/35R18 new wheels 25.0 in 10.0 in -0.2% really 59.9 mph
215/60R15 new wheels 25.2 in 8.5 in +0.3% really 60.2 mph
195/65R15 new wheels 25.0 in 7.7 in -0.4% really 59.8 mph
225/45R17 25.0 in 8.9 in -0.4% really 59.8 mph

Speedometer if you switch to 255/40R17

Your speedometer stays calibrated for 205/50R17. With a shorter tire you travel slower than it shows.

Speedometer readsTrue speed
30 mph30.0 mph
45 mph44.9 mph
55 mph54.9 mph
65 mph64.9 mph
75 mph74.9 mph
Compare 205/50R17 with any size →

Shop 205/50R17 tires

Check the load index and speed rating on your door-jamb placard before you buy, especially for LT tires used for towing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

A 205/50R17 tire is 25.1 inches (637 mm) tall overall. That is the 17-inch wheel plus two sidewalls of 4.0 inches each (50% of the 205 mm section width). Expect a real tire to measure within a few tenths of an inch of this, depending on the model and inflation.

The section width is 205 mm, or 8.1 inches, measured sidewall to sidewall on the recommended rim width. The tread itself is narrower than that. In flotation sizing, 205/50R17 is roughly a 25.1x8.1R17.

225/40R18 is the closest common size, at +0.1% overall diameter (25.1 in against 25.1 in). Most makers treat about 3% as the limit for a swap without speedometer or clearance problems, but always confirm load index, speed rating and wheel width before changing size.

About 804 revolutions per mile (500 per kilometre), from its 25.1-inch rolling diameter. Real-world figures run slightly higher because a loaded tire squats. This number is what your speedometer and odometer are calibrated against.

Last updated: October 2, 2026

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Other 17-inch sizes

205/40R17 205/55R17 215/45R17 215/50R17 215/55R17 215/60R17 215/65R17 225/45R17 225/50R17 225/55R17 225/60R17 225/65R17 235/45R17 235/55R17 235/60R17 235/65R17 235/70R17 235/80R17 245/40R17 245/45R17 245/65R17 245/70R17 245/75R17 255/60R17 255/65R17 255/70R17 255/75R17 265/65R17 265/70R17 275/65R17 275/70R17 285/70R17 285/75R17 315/70R17 235/50R17 255/40R17 275/60R17 305/65R17