CarSpecsHQ

205/40R17 vs 195/50R16

195/50R16 is a safe swap for 205/40R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.94%.

17" → 16"
205/40R17 23.46" · 195/50R16 23.68" · drawn to scale

Side by side

205/40R17195/50R16Difference
Overall diameter23.46"23.68"+0.22" (+0.94%)
Section width205 mm195 mm-10 mm
Sidewall3.23"3.84"+0.61"
Rim17"16"-1"
Circumference73.7"74.4"+0.7"
Revs per mile860852-8
Ride height——+0.11"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.6+0.6 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.6 mph

With 195/50R16 on a car calibrated for 205/40R17, the speedometer reads 59.4 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.9%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.3 mph
45 mph45.4 mph
60 mph60.6 mph
70 mph70.7 mph
80 mph80.8 mph

Other sizes close to 205/40R17

Questions

Can I replace 205/40R17 with 195/50R16?

195/50R16 is a safe swap for 205/40R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.94%.

What's the difference between 205/40R17 and 195/50R16?

195/50R16 is 0.22" taller and 10 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.61". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.6 mph.

Will 195/50R16 fit on 205/40R17 wheels?

No — 205/40R17 needs a 17" wheel and 195/50R16 a 16" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.