225/40R18 vs 225/50R17
225/50R17 sits +3.1% away from 225/40R18 on rolling diameter — past the 3% rule but short of 5%. It will physically fit many cars, but you are trading measurable speedometer and odometer error for the look. Budget 9.8 mm of extra clearance per side, and check the inner arch at full lock before committing. On a car with torque-vectoring or adaptive cruise, have the wheel-speed calibration checked.
- Diameter change
- +3.08%
- +19.6 mm
- Ride height
- +9.8 mm
- half the diameter change
- Tread width
- 0 mm
- 225 mm section
- Speedo at 60
- 61.8
- true mph when the dial reads 60
Side by side
| Measure | 225/40R18 | 225/50R17 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter | 25.09″ | 25.86″ | +3.08% |
| Section width | 225 mm | 225 mm | 0 mm |
| Sidewall height | 90.0 mm | 112.5 mm | +22.5 mm |
| Rim diameter | 18″ | 17″ | −1″ |
| Revolutions / mile | 804 | 780 | −24 |
Questions about this swap
›Can I fit 225/50R17 instead of 225/40R18?
Only with care. The diameter differs by +3.1%, outside the 3% rule, so clearance and speedometer accuracy both need checking first.
›How much will my speedometer be out with 225/50R17 instead of 225/40R18?
By about 3.1%. At an indicated 60 mph you would actually be doing 61.8 mph, so the dial under-reads your true speed.
›Does fitting 225/50R17 change ride height from 225/40R18?
Yes, by roughly 9.8 mm. Rolling radius is half the diameter change, so the axle sits that much higher and you need the same amount of extra room above the tyre.
›Will my odometer read differently on 225/50R17 rather than 225/40R18?
It will read 3.1% low. Over 10,000 recorded miles that is about 308 miles of difference against the true distance travelled.
Want to try other sizes? Open the calculator.