205/55R16 tire size
A 205/55R16 tire is 24.9 inches tall and 8.1 inches wide. Here are its full dimensions, what the numbers mean, and the sizes you can swap it for.
- Overall diameter
- 24.88″ (632 mm)
- Section width
- 8.07″ (205 mm)
- Sidewall height
- 4.44″ (113 mm)
- Wheel diameter
- 16″
- Circumference
- 78.2″
- Revolutions per mile
- 811
What 205/55R16 means
- 205: the tire is 205 mm (8.1 in) wide from sidewall to sidewall.
- 55: the sidewall is 55% of the width, 112.8 mm (4.44 in) tall.
- R: radial construction, used by almost every modern tire.
- 16: it fits a 16-inch wheel.
Overall diameter = 16 + 2 × 4.44 = 24.88 inches.
Sizes equivalent to 205/55R16
These sizes are within 3% of the overall diameter, the usual limit for swapping without speedometer problems.
| Size | Diameter | Difference | Speedometer at 60 mph |
|---|---|---|---|
| 225/50R16 | 24.9″ | -0.1% | 60.0 mph actual |
| 195/45R18 | 24.9″ | +0.1% | 60.1 mph actual |
| 225/45R17 | 25.0″ | +0.4% | 60.2 mph actual |
| 215/40R18 | 24.8″ | -0.4% | 59.7 mph actual |
| 185/55R17 | 25.0″ | +0.5% | 60.3 mph actual |
| 185/60R16 | 24.7″ | -0.6% | 59.7 mph actual |
| 205/50R17 | 25.1″ | +0.8% | 60.5 mph actual |
| 195/50R17 | 24.7″ | -0.8% | 59.5 mph actual |
| 225/40R18 | 25.1″ | +0.8% | 60.5 mph actual |
| 215/45R17 | 24.6″ | -1.0% | 59.4 mph actual |
Going a size taller? 215/55R16 is 25.3″ tall, 1.7% more than 205/55R16. Compare any two sizes in the tire size calculator.
See every common size side by side in the tire size chart.
Questions
What is 205/55R16 in inches?
A 205/55R16 tire is about 24.9 inches tall (632 mm) and 8.1 inches wide, on a 16-inch wheel. In flotation sizing that's roughly 24.9x8.1R16.
How tall is a 205/55R16 tire?
The overall diameter is 24.88 inches: the 16-inch wheel plus two 4.44-inch sidewalls. Actual tires vary by a few tenths of an inch between brands and models.
Can I put 215/55R16 instead of 205/55R16?
215/55R16 is 0.43 inches taller (1.7%) and 10 mm wider. That's within the usual 3% limit, but check that your wheel width is approved for it and that it clears the suspension.
How many revolutions per mile does a 205/55R16 make?
About 811 revolutions per mile, from a circumference of 78.2 inches.
