215 55R17 vs 215 50R17 Tire Size: Comparison Guide

Are you willing to make a purchase of the best set of tires for your vehicle but don’t have any idea which one to choose? If this is your situation then let me tell you this article is designed just to solve that problem.

This article “215 55R17 Vs 215 50R17 Tire Size” gives you great information about the two best tires in the market. Reading this article will help you know both the internal and external differences that these two tires possess.

Not only that, you will be able to learn all the unique aspects that make these two tires stand out in the market and make them the absolute best. So, if you want to choose either one of the two then you must read this article to the finish.

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215 55R17 Vs 215 50R17 Tires: A Detailed Table of Comparison

215 55R17 vs 215 50R17 Tire Size

This numerical table contains all the numerical differences between these two types of tires. It is designed in such a way that you will be able to learn all the ins and outs of the two tires. Here goes the table:-

Main Points215 55R17 Tires215 50R17 Tires
Overall Diameter26.31 inches25.46 inches
Section Width8.46 inches8.46 inches
Sidewall Height4.66 inches4.23 inches
Revs Per Mile766792
Radius13.16 inches12.73 inches
Circumference82.66 inches80.00 inches
Typical Weight22 lbs19 lbs
Rim Diameter17 inches17 inches
Tire TypeA-Radial Ply TireA-Radial Ply Tire
Tread Depth10/32 inches10/32 inches

215 55R17 Vs 215 50R17 Tire Size: Everything You Need to Know

This section is designed in such a way that you will be able to know all the little details about your favorite type of tire with an interactive question answer session. The questions are designed in such a way that they will answer all your queries. Here it goes:-

 What Is the Difference in Diameter Between 215 55R17 and 215 50R17 Tires?

The overall diameter of a tire plays a very important role in providing a driving experience to the users. It also affects the fuel economy and the handling of the vehicle as well.

The 215 55r17 tires have an overall diameter of 26.31 inches. On the contrary, the overall diameter of the 215 50r17 tires is 25.46 inches. The difference between the two tires in terms of the overall diameter is 0.84 inches. 

Percentage-wise the difference stands at 3.2% only. The 215 55r17 tires have a slightly more overall diameter than the 215 50r17 tires. 

any Difference in the Section  Width Between the 215 55R17 and 215 50R17 Tires?

The section width of a tire is the measurement from one sidewall to the other and it is usually done when the tire is inflamed and mounted on the wheel. The measurement is typically given in inches or in millimeters.

The section width of a tire is important because it affects the contact patch of the tire. A contact patch is the area or portion of a tire that comes directly in contact with the road. Moreover, it also affects the handling and steering response of your vehicle as well.

It is really great to see that both the tires 215 55r17 and  215 50r17 have no difference at all between the two tires in terms of the section width. 

Which Tire Has a Higher Sidewall, 215 55R17 or 215 50R17?

The sidewall of a tire is very crucial because it is related to so many things and provides great advantages to a tire. For example, it provides safety to the tires when it goes over any bumps and road imperfections while running. 

Moreover, it serves as a barrier that protects the inner barrier from damage. It also supports the weight of the vehicle and helps the tire to sit properly on the wheel as well. It also maintains the shape of the tire and affects the traction, stability, and handling of the vehicle.

The sidewall height of the 215 55r17 tires is 4.66 inches. On the other hand, the sidewall of the 215 50r17 tires is 4.23 inches. The difference between the two tires in regard to sidewall height is 0.42 inches. That means the 215 55r17 tires have a slightly higher sidewall than the 215 50r17 tires.

How Many Revolutions Per Mile Do 215 55R17 and 215 50R17 Tires Cover?  

Revolutions per mile of RPM of a tire usually refer to the number of times a tire completes one full rotation or a full round while going to the distance of one mile. It is directly related to the speed of the tire and affects the speedometer reading as well.

Both the size and the aspect ratio of the tire affect the RPM. For example, a tire with a lower diameter will have a higher RPM than a tire with a larger sidewall. Similarly, a tire having a lower aspect ratio will have more RPM than a tire having a higher aspect ratio.

The RPM of the 215 55r17 tires is 766. On the other hand, the RPM of the 215 50r17 tires is 792. The difference in RPM between the two tires is 25. As the 215 55r17 tires have a higher sidewall and a higher aspect ratio, they have a lower RPM rate compared to the 215 50r17 tires.

What Is the Difference in Radius Between 215 55R17 and 215 50R17 Tires?   

The radius of a tire usually refers to the distance which lies between the center of the wheel and the outer edge of the tread. Tires that have larger diameters usually have a higher radius.

The radius of a tire is important because it puts a direct impact on the speed of the vehicle. It also affects both the handling and the stability of the vehicle. Moreover, it affects the traction and the weight distribution process as well.

The radius of the 215 55r17 tires is 13.16 inches. On the contrary, the radius of the 215 50r17 tires is 12.73 inches. The difference between the two tires in terms of the radius is 0.42 inches. The 215 55r17 tires have a slightly higher radius than the 215 50r17 tires. 

What Is the Circumference of the 215 55R17 and 215 50R17 Tires?

The circumference of a tire usually means the distance around the outer edge of the tread area of a tire. It plays a vital role in regard to the performance and handling of a vehicle.

Moreover, it affects the traction, weight distribution process, rolling resistance, and also gear ratio of the vehicle as well. The importance of using tires with a perfect circumference is great as it can alter the speedometer reading at will.

The circumference of the 215 55r17 tires is 82.66 inches. Whereas, the circumference of the 215 50r17 tires is 80.00 inches. The difference between the two in regard to the circumference is 2.66 inches. The 215 55r17 tires have a higher circumference than the  215 50r17 tires.

Can Both Tires 215 55R17 and 215 50R17 Fit the Same Wheel Size?

The rim diameter or the wheel size usually means the maximum width of the tire that we can use on that rim. It is important because it can affect many factors of a vehicle. For example,  Tires that are too wide for a rim can bulge out and cause many problems. 

Whereas, tires that are too narrow can wear out very quickly. It also affects the wheel diameter, gear ratio, calibration of the speedometer, and wheel load capacity of the vehicle as well. 

Both the tires 215 55r17 and 215 50r17 have a rim diameter of 17 inches which means that both tires can fit the same wheel size.

Do Both the Tires 215 55R17 and 215 50R17 Have A-Radial Ply Tires?

Tire construction types are very crucial in determining the quality and performance of a given tire. Almost 99% of tires in the market have an A-Radial Ply Tire construction type. But why this tire type is so popular?

Radial tires have many advantages over other types of tire construction types. For instance, it has improved handling and stability, offers a longer tread life, provides better fuel economy, provides better ride comfort, and offers better heat dissipation.

For all these reasons Radial tire construction type is regarded as the best tire construction type in the market. And you will be glad to know that both the tires 215 55r17 and 215 50r17 Have A-Radial Ply Tires.

215 55R17 Vs 215 50R17 Tires: Additional Table of Differences

We have prepared another table that contains some additional information regarding these two types of tires. This will help you a lot in making better decisions in the future. Here is the table:- 

Main Points215 55R17 Tires215 50R16 Tires
Actual Speed62.14 mph64.20 mph
Sidewall LettersBlackBlack
Rim Width Range6-7.50 inches6-7.50 inches
Max Speed118 mph130 mph
Max PSI5144
Max Load1477 lbs1356 lbs
Speedometer Reading100 km/h103.32 km/h
Speedometer Reading StatusCorrectslightly different

Any Difference in the Actual Speed Between the 215 55R17 and 215 50R17 Tires?

The actual speed indicator is helpful in providing accurate information that enables you to learn about the fastness of a given tire. It also helps you collect vital information regarding the swiftness and acceleration process of a given tire.

The actual speed for the 215 55r17 tires is 62.14 mph. On the other hand, the actual speed for the 215 50r17 tires is 64.20 mph. The difference between the two tires in terms of actual speed is 1.95 mph. This means the 215 50r17 tires are slightly faster than the 215 55r17 tires.

What Do the Sidewalls of a Tire Usually Contain?

The sidewall of every tire contains much important information and that information are usually printed in a series of codes and symbols. An average person may find it hard to understand these symbols without taking help from an expert.

The sidewall of a tire usually contains much useful information that may include the tire’s size, speed rating, load rating,  and age of the tire. Some other info may include the model of the tire, the manufacturer’s name, model name and year, etc.

The sidewall for both the tires 215 55r17 and 215 50r17 contains all the useful information that we have just mentioned above. And this information is generally printed in black letters.

Any Difference in the Rim Width Range Between the 215 55R17 and 215 50R17 Tires?

The rim width range of a tire is usually printed on the sidewall of every tire and gives us useful information about the ideal width of the rim that the tire may be placed upon. For example, if the rim width range is between “7-9”, it usually means you can safely mount the tire on a rim that is 7-9 inches wide.

The rim width range for both the 215 55r17 and 215 50r17 tires is 6-7.50 inches. This clearly indicates that both tires can be safely mounted on the rim that has a width of 6-7.50 inches. So, there is absolutely no difference between the two tires in this regard.

What Does the Speedometer Reading Indicate about 215 55R17 and 215 50R17 Tires? 

The speedometer reading tells a driver how fast a vehicle is running at the current timeframe. It gives vital information about the fastness and swiftness of the vehicle. It shows the reading either in mph or kph. 

The speedometer reading for the 215 55r17 tires is 100 km/h. On the other hand, the speedometer reading for the 215 50r17 tires is 103.32 km/h. The difference between the two tires in this respect is 3.32 km/h. 

What Is the Max Load Capacity for Both the 215 55R17 and 215 50R17 Tires?

The maximum load capacity indicator tells us how much load a tire can carry safely. This information is usually printed on the sidewall of a tire and it is given either in pounds (lbs) or in kilograms (kg).

The max load-carrying capacity for the 215 55r17 tires is 1477 lbs. On the contrary, the max load-carrying capacity for the 215 50r17 tires is 1356 lbs. The difference between the two tires in this respect is 42 lbs. The 215 55r17 tires can withstand slightly more load than the 215 50r17 tires.

Also Read: 235 65r17 vs 245 65r17 Tire – Differences At a Glance

Frequently Asked Questions

Apart from all the questions discussed above, there are also some questions that users of different tires very frequently ask. Some of these most commonly asked questions are discussed below:-

Can I Mismatch Different Sets of Tires Together?

It is not advisable to do so. You should never think of mismatching different sets of tires as doing this may hamper your riding comfort and performance. Moreover, manufacturers strongly recommend not doing this.

Is It Best to Change Tires in Pairs? 

Yes, whenever you change one tire, you should always change the other tire situated on the opposite side of the vehicle. By doing so you can avoid tire misalignment and excessive tire wear.

Where Should We Fit The Best Tires? 

It is always advisable that you should fit the new tires at the rear of the vehicle. This ensures a better grip at the rear axle and the vehicle performs much more smoothly on slippery surfaces.

Does Cleaning the Tires Do Any Good to the Tire?

Yes, quite certainly. If you clean your tires regularly, they will remain safe from the debris of harmful objects that may cause severe damage and reduce the lifespan of the tires.

Also Read: 215 45R17 vs 225 45R17 Tire Size: Key Comparison

Final Thoughts

The 215 55R17 vs 215 50R17 Tire Size is a unique article that tells a  great deal about the quality and performance of the two tires. Both the tires 215 55r17 and 215 50r17 have a really good reputation in the market and they have gained a lot of trust among users around the world.

So, if you are the proud owner of a vehicle and want to invest in the best set of tires then we recommend you not to look any further and choose one between these two tires without any hesitation.

I am an engineer and the chief editor of tireslover.com, I am a passionate blogger as well. I am the person who can ensure a perfect, informative, honest, and helpful, guide with 10 years of work experience with different varieties of tires.

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