CarSpecsHQ

205/55R16 vs 195/65R15

195/65R15 is a safe swap for 205/55R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.41%.

16" → 15"
205/55R16 24.88" · 195/65R15 24.98" · drawn to scale

Side by side

205/55R16195/65R15Difference
Overall diameter24.88"24.98"+0.10" (+0.41%)
Section width205 mm195 mm-10 mm
Sidewall4.44"4.99"+0.55"
Rim16"15"-1"
Circumference78.2"78.5"+0.3"
Revs per mile811807-3
Ride height——+0.05"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.2+0.2 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.2 mph

With 195/65R15 on a car calibrated for 205/55R16, the speedometer reads 59.8 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.4%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.1 mph
45 mph45.2 mph
60 mph60.2 mph
70 mph70.3 mph
80 mph80.3 mph

Other sizes close to 205/55R16

Questions

Can I replace 205/55R16 with 195/65R15?

195/65R15 is a safe swap for 205/55R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.41%.

What's the difference between 205/55R16 and 195/65R15?

195/65R15 is 0.10" taller and 10 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.55". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.2 mph.

Will 195/65R15 fit on 205/55R16 wheels?

No — 205/55R16 needs a 16" wheel and 195/65R15 a 15" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.