Frequently Asked Questions
A 225 50R15 tire has a width of 225 mm, a sidewall height of 112 mm, and a wheel that fits a 15-inch-diameter rim when the tire is mounted. Therefore, 225 50R15 is 8.9 inches wide, 4.4 inches high, and 23.6 inches in diameter.
The 225 50 on the tire size denotes the tire’s specific dimensions. First, 225 stands for the tire width measured in millimeters. Second, 50 stands for the aspect ratio, understood as the height of the sidewall as a percentage of width. Thus, the height equals 50 percent of 225mm.
This classification refers to 225 as the tire’s tread width in millimeters, with 50 representing the tire’s height compared to the tread width as a percentage. Therefore, 50 modifies that the 225 mm tread width is 50 percent of the sidewall height.
The difference between the 205 55 16 and 225 50 16 tire sizes lies in the larger diameters and tread widths of the latter. A 225 50/16 tire is both taller and has a broader tread than a 205 55/16 tire.
Since 225/50R16 and 205/55R16 have similar overall diameters, the big difference is their tread width and sidewall height. It is not advisable to use different sizes of tires for the proper functioning of the vehicle. It can otherwise affect and ruin the road grip, the preciseness of the speedometer, and the car’s homologation. Hence, read the vehicle’s owner’s manual or ask a specialist to use proper tire sizes.
