205/55 R16

What size is 205/55 R16?

205/55 R16 has an overall diameter of about 24.88 in, a section width of 8.07 in and a sidewall height of 4.44 in. It turns roughly 811 times per mile. Below are the exact figures plus in-tolerance plus/minus sizes you can switch to safely.

Fitment verdict

225/50 R16 stays within the configured tolerance for 205/55 R16: -0.1% diameter and -0.1% speedometer effect.

Metric This size: 205/55 R16 Alternative: 225/50 R16 Difference Verdict
Overall diameter 24.88 in 24.86 in -0.1% Within tolerance
Section width 8.07 in 8.86 in +0.79 in Computed difference
Sidewall height 4.44 in 4.43 in -0.01 in Computed difference
Circumference 78.16 in 78.09 in -0.1% Within tolerance
Speedo 0.0% -0.1% -0.1% Within tolerance

Seasonal check

Planning a long summer drive?

Use the budget and running-cost tools before a trip, especially if the current tyres are worn or the replacement size changes diameter.

Estimate tyre budget

Specification

Overall diameter24.88 in
Section width8.07 in
Sidewall height4.44 in
Circumference78.16 in
Revolutions 504 /km · 811 /mi

In-tolerance sizes

Alternative sizes that stay within the safe diameter tolerance:

Size Diameter Speedo Verdict
225/50 R16 -0.1% -0.1% ✓ OK
225/45 R17 +0.4% +0.4% ✓ OK
195/65 R15 +0.4% +0.4% ✓ OK
195/70 R14 -0.5% -0.5% ✓ OK
255/35 R18 +0.6% +0.6% ✓ OK
205/60 R15 -0.8% -0.8% ✓ OK
225/40 R18 +0.8% +0.8% ✓ OK
215/45 R17 -1.0% -1.0% ✓ OK
225/35 R19 +1.3% +1.3% ✓ OK
195/60 R16 +1.3% +1.3% ✓ OK
185/65 R15 -1.6% -1.6% ✓ OK
195/55 R16 -1.7% -1.7% ✓ OK

Compare sizes

Looks valid
Looks valid
Units
✓ Within toleranceDiameter -0.1% (-0.02 in) · US (~3%)
  • Within tolerance · Diameter -0.1%.
  • Speedo @ 60: 60 mph60.0 mph.
  • Sidewall -0.01 in · Width +0.79 in.
Diameter-0.1%-0.02 in
Speedo @ 60-0.1%60 mph60.0 mph
Sidewall-0.01 inWidth +0.79 in
How this result is calculated

Computed from nominal tire-size geometry: diameter, circumference and speedometer error. It does not check wheel-arch, suspension or brake clearance.

Methodology
Diameter
24.88 in 24.86 in-0.02 in
Sidewall
4.44 in 4.43 in-0.01 in
Width
8.07 in 8.86 in+0.79 in
Circumference
78.16 in 78.09 in-0.1%
Revs / mile
811 811
Speedo @ 60
60 mph 60.0 mph-0.1%
Δ⌀ −0.5 mm
  • Current205/55 R16
  • New225/50 R16
  • Grounded to the road: the axle rises -0.01 in.

Result report

205/55 R16 225/50 R16 · Within tolerance

Use this size when shopping: 225/50 R16

Use this size when shopping

Geometric estimate. Always verify physical clearance (arches, suspension, brakes) before fitting.

Safe alternative sizes

SizeDiameterSpeedo @ 100Use this
−1″ 315/40R15+0.2%+0.2%
OE 205/55R16+0.0%+0.0%
+1″ 125/80R17-0.0%-0.0%
+2″ 125/70R18+0.0%+0.0%

More tools

Last reviewed: 2026-06-28

Last reviewed: 2026-06-28
What changed
  • Reviewed deterministic geometry, load/speed references, sitemap inclusion and localized page shell.