205/45R15 tire size in inches

A 205/45R15 tire measures

22.3" tall × 8.1" wide

3.63" sidewall on a 15" wheel. 906 revolutions per mile.

205/45R15 means a tire 205 mm wide, with sidewalls 45% as tall as the tire is wide (92 mm), radial construction (R), for a 15 inch wheel.

22.3"15" rim3.6"8.1" wide
205/45R15: 22.3 inches tall, 8.1 inches wide, on a 15 inch rim, drawn to scale

205/45R15 specs

Overall diameter (height)22.26 inches (566 mm)
Section width8.07 inches (205 mm)
Sidewall height3.63 inches (92 mm)
Wheel (rim) diameter15 inches
Circumference69.9 inches (1,777 mm)
Revolutions per mile906
Revolutions per kilometer563
Approximate rim width6.5" to 8.0"
In inches (flotation style)22.3x8.1R15
Aspect ratio45%

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 205/45R15 on a 15" wheel

These 15" sizes are within 3% of 205/45R15's overall diameter, the range most tire shops treat as interchangeable.

SizeDiameterWidthDifferenceReal speed at 60
185/50R1522.28"7.28"+0.1%60.1 mphCompare
165/55R1522.15"6.50"−0.5%59.7 mphCompare
175/55R1522.58"6.89"+1.4%60.8 mphCompare
215/45R1522.62"8.46"+1.6%61.0 mphCompare
195/50R1522.68"7.68"+1.9%61.1 mphCompare
165/60R1522.80"6.50"+2.4%61.4 mphCompare

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

SizeWheelDiameterDifference
175/60R1414"22.27"0.0%Compare
195/60R1313"22.21"−0.2%Compare
155/75R1313"22.15"−0.5%Compare
195/35R1717"22.37"+0.5%Compare
195/40R1616"22.14"−0.5%Compare
145/80R1313"22.13"−0.6%Compare
185/35R1717"22.10"−0.7%Compare
165/70R1313"22.09"−0.8%Compare
165/65R1414"22.44"+0.8%Compare
195/55R1414"22.44"+0.8%Compare
205/40R1616"22.46"+0.9%Compare
185/65R1313"22.47"+0.9%Compare

One size up or down

Compare 205/45R15 with another size

With 215/45R15 tires, when your speedometer says 60 mph you are really going

61.0 mph

215/45R15 is +0.35 inches (+1.6%) in overall diameter. That is within the 3% most shops and makers allow.

205/45R15215/45R15Difference%
Overall diameter22.26"22.62"+0.35"+1.6%
Section width8.07"8.46"+0.39"+4.9%
Sidewall height3.63"3.81"+0.18"+4.9%
Circumference69.94"71.06"+1.11"+1.6%
Revolutions per mile905.9891.7−14.2−1.6%

Questions

How tall is a 205/45R15 tire?
A 205/45R15 tire is 22.3 inches tall (566 mm), calculated from the size. It is 8.1 inches wide with 3.6 inches sidewalls. Real tires vary by a few tenths of an inch between brands and tread patterns.
What does 205/45R15 mean?
205/45R15 means a tire 205 mm wide, with sidewalls 45% as tall as the tire is wide (92 mm), radial construction (R), for a 15 inch wheel.
How many revolutions per mile does a 205/45R15 tire make?
About 906 revolutions per mile, based on a circumference of 69.9 inches. Under load the tire flattens slightly, so the maker's published figure is usually a little higher.
What rim width fits a 205/45R15 tire?
Roughly 6.5" to 8.0". Check the tire maker's approved rim range for the exact model before buying wheels.
Can I use 185/50R15 instead of 205/45R15?
185/50R15 is +0.02 inches (+0.1%) in overall diameter, so at an indicated 60 mph you would be doing 60.1 mph. Differences under 3% are usually fine, but check clearance, load index and your vehicle's placard.

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