My Tire Guide

255/50R15 tire size

A 255/50R15 tire stands 25.0 inches tall and 10.0 inches wide, with a 5.0-inch sidewall on a 15-inch rim.

25.0″OVERALL 25.0 IN · RIM 15 IN10.0″5.0″WIDTH · SIDEWALL
Overall height
25.0 in636 mm
Section width
10.0 in255 mm
Sidewall height
5.0 in128 mm
Rim diameter
15 in381 mm
Circumference
78.7 in1998 mm
Revolutions per mile
805500 per km
Inch size
25.0x10.0R15

Compare it with any other size in the tire size calculator.

Sizes you can swap to

These 15-inch sizes are within two width steps and 3% of a 255/50R15's overall height, the usual limit before the speedometer, ABS and transmission notice. The closest is 235/55R15, 0.6% taller (0.14 in). Wider sizes also need room in the wheel well and a rim width that suits them.

SizeHeightWidthAt 60 mph
235/55R15+0.6%+0.14 in−20 mm60.3 mph
275/45R15−1.2%−0.30 in+20 mm59.3 mph
245/50R15−1.6%−0.39 in−10 mm59.1 mph
265/50R15+1.6%+0.39 in+10 mm60.9 mph
245/55R15+2.3%+0.57 in−10 mm61.4 mph
265/45R15−2.6%−0.65 in+10 mm58.4 mph

Plus and minus sizes

Changing rim size means changing the sidewall to keep the same overall height. On 13-inch or 14-inch or 16-inch or 17-inch rims, these are the closest matches to a 255/50R15.

SizeHeightWidthAt 60 mph
225/70R13+1.4%+0.36 in−30 mm60.9 mph
255/55R14+0.0%+0.00 in±0 mm60.0 mph
255/45R16−0.0%−0.00 in±0 mm60.0 mph
255/40R17−0.0%−0.01 in±0 mm60.0 mph

Other 15-inch sizes near 255/50R15

255 mm wide, other sidewalls

50 series, other widths

See the other sizes for this rim on 15-inch tire sizes.

Shop 255/50R15 tires

These open each store's own list of 255/50R15 tires, where you can filter by type, load and speed rating.

255/50R15 questions

How tall is a 255/50R15 tire?

About 25.0 inches (636 mm) from the ground to the top of the tread, unloaded. On the vehicle, carrying weight, it sits a little lower.

What does 255/50R15 mean?

255 is the section width in millimetres (10.0 in). 50 means the sidewall is 50% of that width: 128 mm, or 5.0 in. R means radial construction, and 15 is the rim diameter in inches.

Can I use 245/50R15 instead of 255/50R15?

245/50R15 is 1.6% shorter (0.39 in) and 10 mm narrower, which is inside the usual 3% rule. With it fitted, the speedometer shows 60 mph when you are doing 59.1 mph.

What is 255/50R15 in inches?

In inch terms it is 25.0x10.0R15: 25.0 inches tall, 10.0 inches wide, for a 15-inch rim.

How many revolutions per mile does a 255/50R15 make?

About 805 turns per mile, worked out from its unloaded circumference of 78.7 inches. Makers list slightly higher numbers for their own tires, because a loaded tire rolls on a smaller radius.