14-inch vs 15-inch rims · tyre size comparison
175/60 R14 vs 175/50 R15
175/50 R15 is 9.6 mm (0.38 in) shorter than 175/60 R14, a -1.7% difference in overall diameter. That is inside the ±3% limit commonly used to screen a tire size change; it is a nominal calculation, not a fitment approval.
- Diameter difference
- -9.6 mm
- -0.38 in · -1.7%
- Indicated 70 mph
- 68.8 mph
- Actual speed on 175/50 R15, if the speedometer was accurate on 175/60 R14.
- Sidewall height
- -17.5 mm
- 105 mm to 87.5 mm.
Dimensions side by side
| Measurement | 175/60 R14 | 175/50 R15 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter | 565.6 mm22.27 in | 556 mm21.89 in | -9.6 mm (-1.7%)-0.38 in |
| Section width | 175 mm6.89 in | 175 mm6.89 in | 0 mm0 in |
| Sidewall height | 105 mm4.13 in | 87.5 mm3.44 in | -17.5 mm-0.69 in |
| Circumference | 1,776.88 mm69.96 in | 1,746.73 mm68.77 in | -30.16 mm-1.19 in |
| Rim diameter | 355.6 mm14 in | 381 mm15 in | +25.4 mm+1 in |
| Revolutions per mile | 905.71 | 921.35 | +15.64 |
| Revolutions per km | 562.78 | 572.5 | +9.72 |
Calculated from the nominal size codes, without load or tread wear. Real tyres vary by model, rim width and pressure, so the exact tyre's published dimensions take priority.
Speedometer with 175/50 R15
If the speedometer was accurate on 175/60 R14, fitting 175/50 R15 means the car is travelling 1.7% slower than it shows, and the odometer over-records distance by about the same amount.
| Speedometer shows | Actual on 175/50 R15 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 30 mph | 29.49 mph | -0.51 mph |
| 50 mph | 49.15 mph | -0.85 mph |
| 60 mph | 58.98 mph | -1.02 mph |
| 70 mph | 68.81 mph | -1.19 mph |
| 50 km/h | 49.15 km/h | -0.85 km/h |
| 100 km/h | 98.3 km/h | -1.7 km/h |
UN ECE Regulation 39, used in the UK and EU, does not allow a speedometer to show less than the true speed, so many read slightly high from the factory. A shorter tyre adds to it. Calibration varies by car; these figures are the tyre-size effect only.
What changes from 175/60 R14 to 175/50 R15
Wheels
These sizes need different wheels: 14-inch for 175/60 R14 and 15-inch for 175/50 R15. The larger wheel usually weighs a little more; the smaller one must still clear the brake calipers. Check rim width, offset and load rating for whichever wheel you fit.
Sidewall and ride comfort
175/50 R15 has 17.5 mm less sidewall (87.5 vs 105 mm). A shorter sidewall usually sharpens steering response, but rides noticeably firmer and leaves the rim more exposed to potholes and kerbs.
Contact width
Both are 175 mm in nominal section width, so the tread is about as wide. Contact patch area is set mostly by load and pressure, so grip differences come more from the tyre model than this size change.
Wheel well clearance
Ride height changes by about -4.8 mm, and the top of the tyre moves the same distance away from the arch. On the same wheel, the sidewalls stay in roughly the same place side to side. A smaller tyre rarely creates new rubbing.
Gearing
The effective final drive changes by +1.73%: 3,000 rpm at a given road speed becomes about 3,050 rpm. Gearing gets slightly shorter, so acceleration in each gear sharpens and cruising revs rise.
ABS, stability control and AWD
These systems compare wheel speeds. Fit the same size on both ends of an axle; with a 1.7% diameter gap, never mix 175/60 R14 and 175/50 R15 on an AWD car, and follow the car maker's rolling-circumference limits, which can be much tighter than 3%.
General tendencies from the nominal numbers, not a test of any tyre. Load index, speed rating, tyre construction and the car's approved sizes matter more than these rules of thumb.
Explained in our guides
- Plus-sizing wheels: tyre diameter and speedometer changesWork through a 17 to 18 inch wheel change, compare tyre diameters and speedometer effects, and understand why a 3% rule cannot approve fitment.
- Staggered vs square wheels: tyres, rotation and AWDCompare square and staggered wheel setups, calculate front-to-rear tyre diameter, and understand rotation limits and all-wheel-drive requirements.
- How to read a tyre size, load index and sidewall markingsDecode tyre width, aspect ratio, rim diameter, load and speed markings, then calculate sidewall height and diameter using a 225/45 R17 example.
Cars in our guides using these sizes
Factory trims and popular community setups from our fitment guides. A popular setup is not a factory approval; each guide explains its trims, axles and clearance limits.
175/60 R14
- Skoda Felicia 6U (Typ 791) (1994–2001)Factory trim
175/50 R15
- Skoda Felicia 6U (Typ 791) (1994–2001)Popular setup
More comparisons
175/60 R14 compared
Questions
Can I use 175/50 R15 instead of 175/60 R14?
Only on 15-inch wheels, not the 14-inch wheels that take 175/60 R14. The diameter difference is -1.7%, inside the ±3% screening limit. That does not approve fitment: check the car maker's approved sizes, load index, speed rating, rim width and clearance first.
How much bigger is 175/50 R15 than 175/60 R14?
Overall diameter is 9.6 mm (0.38 in) smaller: 556 vs 565.6 mm. Section width is the same, and the sidewall is 17.5 mm shorter. These are nominal figures; real tyres vary by model and rim width.
Will 175/50 R15 change my speedometer reading?
Yes, by 1.7%. If the speedometer was accurate on 175/60 R14, an indicated 60 mph would be about 59 mph on 175/50 R15, and an indicated 100 km/h about 98.3 km/h. You would be going slower than the speedometer shows.
Which is better, 175/60 R14 or 175/50 R15?
Neither in general. 175/60 R14 has the taller sidewall, which usually rides more comfortably; 175/50 R15 usually steers more sharply. The size listed for your car's trim, on its placard or in the handbook, is the safe default.
Check the exact tyre
Size codes give nominal dimensions. Before buying, confirm the size is approved for your car and check the exact tyre's load and speed ratings and published dimensions.