CarSpecsHQ

205/45R17 vs 195/55R16

195/55R16 is a safe swap for 205/45R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.75%.

17" → 16"
205/45R17 24.26" · 195/55R16 24.44" · drawn to scale

Side by side

205/45R17195/55R16Difference
Overall diameter24.26"24.44"+0.18" (+0.75%)
Section width205 mm195 mm-10 mm
Sidewall3.63"4.22"+0.59"
Rim17"16"-1"
Circumference76.2"76.8"+0.6"
Revs per mile831825-6
Ride height——+0.09"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.4+0.4 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.4 mph

With 195/55R16 on a car calibrated for 205/45R17, the speedometer reads 59.6 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.7%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.2 mph
45 mph45.3 mph
60 mph60.4 mph
70 mph70.5 mph
80 mph80.6 mph

Other sizes close to 205/45R17

Questions

Can I replace 205/45R17 with 195/55R16?

195/55R16 is a safe swap for 205/45R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.75%.

What's the difference between 205/45R17 and 195/55R16?

195/55R16 is 0.18" taller and 10 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.59". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.4 mph.

Will 195/55R16 fit on 205/45R17 wheels?

No — 205/45R17 needs a 17" wheel and 195/55R16 a 16" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.