CarSpecsHQ

205/60R15 vs 225/50R16

225/50R16 is a safe swap for 205/60R15 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.70%.

15" → 16"
205/60R15 24.69" · 225/50R16 24.86" · drawn to scale

Side by side

205/60R15225/50R16Difference
Overall diameter24.69"24.86"+0.17" (+0.70%)
Section width205 mm225 mm+20 mm
Sidewall4.84"4.43"-0.41"
Rim15"16"+1"
Circumference77.6"78.1"+0.5"
Revs per mile817811-6
Ride height——+0.09"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.4+0.4 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.4 mph

With 225/50R16 on a car calibrated for 205/60R15, 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 205/60R15

Questions

Can I replace 205/60R15 with 225/50R16?

225/50R16 is a safe swap for 205/60R15 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.70%.

What's the difference between 205/60R15 and 225/50R16?

225/50R16 is 0.17" taller and 20 mm wider; the sidewall is -0.41". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.4 mph.

Will 225/50R16 fit on 205/60R15 wheels?

No — 205/60R15 needs a 15" wheel and 225/50R16 a 16" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.