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225/45R17 vs 225/50R17

225/50R17 is 0.9″ taller than 225/45R17 on average, going by the heights their makers list (25.0″ vs 25.9″). On paper the gap is 0.89″.

225/45R17 and 225/50R17 drawn to the same scale: 25.0 and 25.9 inches tall on average as listed225/45R1725.0″225/50R1725.9″+0.9″
Drawn to the same scale, using the average height the makers list for each size.

What changes

Going from 225/45R17 to 225/50R17.

Lift+0.47″
Width+0.00″
Speedometer3.7% slow

Lift is half the height difference, since the axle sits at the middle of the tire. The speedometer figure assumes it was set for 225/45R17 and uses the revolutions per mile the makers publish: at an indicated 60 mph you'd be doing 62.2 mph.

Side by side

225/45R17225/50R17Difference
Listed height ″24.90–25.0025.90–26.30+0.95
Size code height ″24.9725.86+0.89
Height under load ″24.225.1+0.9
Width ″8.868.86+0.00
Listed width ″8.8–8.99.0–9.4+0.3
Sidewall ″3.994.43+0.44
Wheel ″1717same
Weight lb20.4–24.721.4–29.1+1.6
Tread depth /32″4–129–12+0.9
Tires listed2826

Tires sold in both sizes

The same model in each size, by the heights the maker lists. Averages where a model comes in several load ranges.

Tire225/45R17 ″225/50R17 ″Taller byHeavier by
BFGoodrich Advantage Control24.9625.91+0.95″+3.1 lb
BFGoodrich g-Force COMP-2 A/S PLUS24.9625.91+0.95″+2.6 lb
General AltiMAX Arctic X25.0025.90+0.90″+3.1 lb
General AltiMAX RT4525.0025.90+0.90″+2.1 lb
General AltiMAX365 AW25.0025.90+0.90″+2.4 lb
General G-MAX AS0725.0025.90+0.90″+0.8 lb
General G-MAX RS25.0025.90+0.90″+0.5 lb
Michelin CrossClimate224.9025.90+1.00″+0.7 lb
Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season 425.0026.30+1.30″+1.0 lb
Michelin X-Ice Snow24.9625.91+0.95″+0.5 lb
Toyo Celsius II24.9625.91+0.95″+2.0 lb
Toyo Celsius Sport24.9625.91+0.95″+1.4 lb
Toyo Extensa A/S II24.9625.91+0.95″+1.8 lb
Toyo Extensa HP II24.9625.91+0.95″+2.6 lb
Toyo Observe G3-Ice24.9625.91+0.95″+2.0 lb
Toyo Proxes G-Tour25.0025.90+0.90″+1.6 lb
Toyo Proxes Sport A/S24.9625.91+0.95″+1.6 lb

Questions about 225/45R17 vs 225/50R17

How much taller is 225/50R17 than 225/45R17?

0.95″ on average, going by the heights tire makers list: 225/45R17 tires are listed at 24.90–25.00″ and 225/50R17 at 25.90–26.30″. The size codes work out to 24.97″ and 25.86″, a 0.89″ difference.

How much lift does 225/50R17 give over 225/45R17?

The tire's radius grows by 0.47″, so the axle sits about 0.47″ higher, and the top of the tread comes 0.47″ closer to the fender. Both are the same width on paper. Whether it fits depends on your vehicle, lift and wheel offset.

Will my speedometer be off with 225/50R17 instead of 225/45R17?

Yes. If it's set for 225/45R17, it will read about 3.7% slow: at an indicated 60 mph you'll be doing 62.2 mph. Worked out from the revolutions per mile the makers publish.

Can 225/50R17 go on the same wheel as 225/45R17?

Both fit a 17-inch wheel. Wheel widths approved for both run from 7.0″ to 8.0″.