185/50R17 tire size in inches

A 185/50R17 tire measures

24.3" tall × 7.3" wide

3.64" sidewall on a 17" wheel. 831 revolutions per mile.

185/50R17 means a tire 185 mm wide, with sidewalls 50% as tall as the tire is wide (93 mm), radial construction (R), for a 17 inch wheel.

24.3"17" rim3.6"7.3" wide
185/50R17: 24.3 inches tall, 7.3 inches wide, on a 17 inch rim, drawn to scale

185/50R17 specs

Overall diameter (height)24.28 inches (617 mm)
Section width7.28 inches (185 mm)
Sidewall height3.64 inches (93 mm)
Wheel (rim) diameter17 inches
Circumference76.3 inches (1,938 mm)
Revolutions per mile831
Revolutions per kilometer516
Approximate rim width5.0" to 6.5"
In inches (flotation style)24.3x7.3R17
Aspect ratio50%

Calculated from the size. Real tires differ by brand, model and tread depth, typically by a few tenths of an inch.

Sizes that can replace 185/50R17 on a 17" wheel

These 17" sizes are within 3% of 185/50R17's overall diameter, the range most tire shops treat as interchangeable.

SizeDiameterWidthDifferenceReal speed at 60
205/45R1724.26"8.07"−0.1%60.0 mphCompare
265/35R1724.30"10.43"+0.1%60.0 mphCompare
235/40R1724.40"9.25"+0.5%60.3 mphCompare
225/40R1724.09"8.86"−0.8%59.5 mphCompare
255/35R1724.03"10.04"−1.1%59.4 mphCompare
275/35R1724.58"10.83"+1.2%60.7 mphCompare
215/45R1724.62"8.46"+1.4%60.8 mphCompare
195/45R1723.91"7.68"−1.5%59.1 mphCompare
195/50R1724.68"7.68"+1.6%61.0 mphCompare
245/40R1724.72"9.65"+1.8%61.1 mphCompare
215/40R1723.77"8.46"−2.1%58.7 mphCompare
245/35R1723.75"9.65"−2.2%58.7 mphCompare

Same height on other wheel sizes (plus and minus sizing)

SizeWheelDiameterDifference
175/60R1616"24.27"−0.1%Compare
205/70R1313"24.30"+0.1%Compare
215/55R1515"24.31"+0.1%Compare
225/30R1919"24.31"+0.1%Compare
235/50R1515"24.25"−0.1%Compare
235/45R1616"24.33"+0.2%Compare
215/25R2020"24.23"−0.2%Compare
175/75R1414"24.33"+0.2%Compare
265/40R1616"24.35"+0.3%Compare
265/25R1919"24.22"−0.3%Compare
195/60R1515"24.21"−0.3%Compare
225/35R1818"24.20"−0.3%Compare

One size up or down

Compare 185/50R17 with another size

With 195/50R17 tires, when your speedometer says 60 mph you are really going

61.0 mph

195/50R17 is +0.39 inches (+1.6%) in overall diameter. That is within the 3% most shops and makers allow.

185/50R17195/50R17Difference%
Overall diameter24.28"24.68"+0.39"+1.6%
Section width7.28"7.68"+0.39"+5.4%
Sidewall height3.64"3.84"+0.20"+5.4%
Circumference76.29"77.53"+1.24"+1.6%
Revolutions per mile830.5817.3−13.3−1.6%

Questions

How tall is a 185/50R17 tire?
A 185/50R17 tire is 24.3 inches tall (617 mm), calculated from the size. It is 7.3 inches wide with 3.6 inches sidewalls. Real tires vary by a few tenths of an inch between brands and tread patterns.
What does 185/50R17 mean?
185/50R17 means a tire 185 mm wide, with sidewalls 50% as tall as the tire is wide (93 mm), radial construction (R), for a 17 inch wheel.
How many revolutions per mile does a 185/50R17 tire make?
About 831 revolutions per mile, based on a circumference of 76.3 inches. Under load the tire flattens slightly, so the maker's published figure is usually a little higher.
What rim width fits a 185/50R17 tire?
Roughly 5.0" to 6.5". Check the tire maker's approved rim range for the exact model before buying wheels.
Can I use 205/45R17 instead of 185/50R17?
205/45R17 is −0.02 inches (−0.1%) in overall diameter, so at an indicated 60 mph you would be doing 60.0 mph. Differences under 3% are usually fine, but check clearance, load index and your vehicle's placard.

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