My Tire Guide

205/45R15 tire size

A 205/45R15 tire stands 22.3 inches tall and 8.1 inches wide, with a 3.6-inch sidewall on a 15-inch rim.

22.3″OVERALL 22.3 IN · RIM 15 IN8.1″3.6″WIDTH · SIDEWALL
Overall height
22.3 in566 mm
Section width
8.1 in205 mm
Sidewall height
3.6 in92 mm
Rim diameter
15 in381 mm
Circumference
69.9 in1777 mm
Revolutions per mile
906563 per km
Inch size
22.3x8.1R15

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 205/45R15's overall height, the usual limit before the speedometer, ABS and transmission notice. The closest is 185/50R15, 0.1% taller (0.02 in). Wider sizes also need room in the wheel well and a rim width that suits them.

SizeHeightWidthAt 60 mph
185/50R15+0.1%+0.02 in−20 mm60.1 mph
225/40R15−0.8%−0.18 in+20 mm59.5 mph
195/45R15−1.6%−0.35 in−10 mm59.0 mph
215/45R15+1.6%+0.35 in+10 mm61.0 mph
195/50R15+1.9%+0.41 in−10 mm61.1 mph
215/40R15−2.2%−0.49 in+10 mm58.7 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 205/45R15.

SizeHeightWidthAt 60 mph
235/50R13−0.1%−0.01 in+30 mm60.0 mph
175/60R14+0.0%+0.00 in−30 mm60.0 mph
225/35R16−0.3%−0.06 in+20 mm59.8 mph
195/35R17+0.5%+0.11 in−10 mm60.3 mph

Other 15-inch sizes near 205/45R15

205 mm wide, other sidewalls

45 series, other widths

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

Shop 205/45R15 tires

These open each store's own list of 205/45R15 tires, where you can filter by type, load and speed rating.

205/45R15 questions

How tall is a 205/45R15 tire?

About 22.3 inches (566 mm) from the ground to the top of the tread, unloaded. On the vehicle, carrying weight, it sits a little lower.

What does 205/45R15 mean?

205 is the section width in millimetres (8.1 in). 45 means the sidewall is 45% of that width: 92 mm, or 3.6 in. R means radial construction, and 15 is the rim diameter in inches.

Can I use 195/45R15 instead of 205/45R15?

195/45R15 is 1.6% shorter (0.35 in) and 10 mm narrower, which is inside the usual 3% rule. With it fitted, the speedometer shows 60 mph when you are doing 59.0 mph.

What is 205/45R15 in inches?

In inch terms it is 22.3x8.1R15: 22.3 inches tall, 8.1 inches wide, for a 15-inch rim.

How many revolutions per mile does a 205/45R15 make?

About 906 turns per mile, worked out from its unloaded circumference of 69.9 inches. Makers list slightly higher numbers for their own tires, because a loaded tire rolls on a smaller radius.