CarSpecsHQ

195/50R16 vs 205/50R16

205/50R16 is a safe swap for 195/50R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.66%.

16" rim
195/50R16 23.68" · 205/50R16 24.07" · drawn to scale

Side by side

195/50R16205/50R16Difference
Overall diameter23.68"24.07"+0.39" (+1.66%)
Section width195 mm205 mm+10 mm
Sidewall3.84"4.04"+0.20"
Rim16"16"same
Circumference74.4"75.6"+1.2"
Revs per mile852838-14
Ride height——+0.20"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.0+1.0 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.0 mph

With 205/50R16 on a car calibrated for 195/50R16, the speedometer reads 59.0 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.7%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.5 mph
45 mph45.7 mph
60 mph61.0 mph
70 mph71.2 mph
80 mph81.3 mph

Other sizes close to 195/50R16

Questions

Can I replace 195/50R16 with 205/50R16?

205/50R16 is a safe swap for 195/50R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.66%.

What's the difference between 195/50R16 and 205/50R16?

205/50R16 is 0.39" taller and 10 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.20". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.0 mph.

Will 205/50R16 fit on 195/50R16 wheels?

Both use a 16" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 205 mm tire and the fender clearance.