205/50R15 vs 185/60R15
185/60R15 is a safe swap for 205/50R15 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.90%.
Speedometer and odometer
With 185/60R15 on a car calibrated for 205/50R15, the speedometer reads 58.3 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.9%.
| Speedo shows | Actual speed |
|---|---|
| 30 mph | 30.9 mph |
| 45 mph | 46.3 mph |
| 60 mph | 61.7 mph |
| 70 mph | 72.0 mph |
| 80 mph | 82.3 mph |
Other sizes close to 205/50R15
- 205/50R15 vs 195/60R15+4.95%
- 205/50R15 vs 175/65R15+3.84%
- 205/50R15 vs 185/55R15-0.26%
- 205/50R15 vs 195/55R15+1.62%
- 205/50R15 vs 205/45R16+0.84%
- 205/50R15 vs 175/65R14-0.49%
- 205/50R15 vs 225/45R15-0.43%
- 205/50R15 vs 195/50R15-1.71%
- 205/50R15 vs 225/50R15+3.41%
- 205/50R15 vs 195/60R14+0.61%
- 205/50R15 vs 245/40R15-1.54%
Questions
Can I replace 205/50R15 with 185/60R15?
185/60R15 is a safe swap for 205/50R15 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.90%.
What's the difference between 205/50R15 and 185/60R15?
185/60R15 is 0.67" taller and 20 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.33". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.7 mph.
Will 185/60R15 fit on 205/50R15 wheels?
Both use a 15" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 185 mm tire and the fender clearance.