205/75R15 vs 205/70R16

Q: Can I replace 205/75R15 with 205/70R16?

205/70R16 is a safe swap for 205/75R15 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.71%.

205/70R16 is a safe swap for 205/75R15 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.71%.

205/75R15 27.11" · 205/70R16 27.30" · drawn to scale

Side by side

	205/75R15	205/70R16	Difference
Overall diameter	27.11"	27.30"	+0.19" (+0.71%)
Section width	205 mm	205 mm	0 mm
Sidewall	6.05"	5.65"	-0.40"
Rim	15"	16"	+1"
Circumference	85.2"	85.8"	+0.6"
Revs per mile	744	739	-5
Ride height	—	—	+0.10"
Speedometer reads 60 mph	60.0	60.4	+0.4 mph

Speedometer and odometer

With 205/70R16 on a car calibrated for 205/75R15, 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 205/75R15

Questions

Can I replace 205/75R15 with 205/70R16?

205/70R16 is a safe swap for 205/75R15 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.71%.

What's the difference between 205/75R15 and 205/70R16?

205/70R16 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 205/70R16 fit on 205/75R15 wheels?

No — 205/75R15 needs a 15" wheel and 205/70R16 a 16" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.