215/60R17 means a 215 mm section width, a 60% aspect ratio, radial construction and a 17-inch wheel. That works out to a 129 mm sidewall and an overall diameter of about 689.8 mm.
The aspect ratio is a proportion, not a measurement: the same 45 gives a different sidewall height on a different width, and that changes both ride and handling. A lower ratio holds a corner better and transmits more of the road surface.
Widely used on compact SUVs such as the Tucson and Sportage.
What each number means
| 215 | Section width 215 mm |
|---|---|
| 60 | Aspect ratio 129 mm (60% × 215 mm) |
| R | Construction Radial |
| 17 | Wheel diameter 431.8 mm |
| Overall diameter | 689.8 mm 27.2" |
Compatible alternatives
| Size | Overall diameter | Diameter difference |
|---|---|---|
| 225/60R17 | 701.8 mm | +1.7% |
| 215/65R17 | 711.3 mm | +3.1% |
| 225/55R18 | 704.7 mm | +2.2% |
Load index and speed rating
After the size itself, a tyre wall carries something like 91V. The number is the load index — the weight one tyre can carry, 91 meaning 615 kg — and the letter is the speed rating, V meaning 240 km/h.
Never drop below the load index the manufacturer specified, even if the size matches. The original specification is printed on the label inside the driver’s door.