205/70R15 vs 205/65R16

Q: Can I replace 205/70R15 with 205/65R16?

205/65R16 is a safe swap for 205/70R15 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.73%.

205/65R16 is a safe swap for 205/70R15 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.73%.

205/70R15 26.30" · 205/65R16 26.49" · drawn to scale

Side by side

	205/70R15	205/65R16	Difference
Overall diameter	26.30"	26.49"	+0.19" (+0.73%)
Section width	205 mm	205 mm	0 mm
Sidewall	5.65"	5.25"	-0.40"
Rim	15"	16"	+1"
Circumference	82.6"	83.2"	+0.6"
Revs per mile	767	761	-6
Ride height	—	—	+0.10"
Speedometer reads 60 mph	60.0	60.4	+0.4 mph

Speedometer and odometer

With 205/65R16 on a car calibrated for 205/70R15, the speedometer reads 59.6 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.7%.

Speedo shows	Actual speed
30 mph	30.2 mph
45 mph	45.3 mph
60 mph	60.4 mph
70 mph	70.5 mph
80 mph	80.6 mph

Other sizes close to 205/70R15

Questions

Can I replace 205/70R15 with 205/65R16?

205/65R16 is a safe swap for 205/70R15 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.73%.

What's the difference between 205/70R15 and 205/65R16?

205/65R16 is 0.19" taller and 0 mm wider; the sidewall is -0.40". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.4 mph.

Will 205/65R16 fit on 205/70R15 wheels?

No — 205/70R15 needs a 15" wheel and 205/65R16 a 16" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.