CarSpecsHQ

215/50R17 vs 205/60R16

205/60R16 is a safe swap for 215/50R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.87%.

17" → 16"
215/50R17 25.46" · 205/60R16 25.69" · drawn to scale

Side by side

215/50R17205/60R16Difference
Overall diameter25.46"25.69"+0.22" (+0.87%)
Section width215 mm205 mm-10 mm
Sidewall4.23"4.84"+0.61"
Rim17"16"-1"
Circumference80.0"80.7"+0.7"
Revs per mile792785-7
Ride height——+0.11"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.5+0.5 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.5 mph

With 205/60R16 on a car calibrated for 215/50R17, the speedometer reads 59.5 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.9%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.3 mph
45 mph45.4 mph
60 mph60.5 mph
70 mph70.6 mph
80 mph80.7 mph

Other sizes close to 215/50R17

Questions

Can I replace 215/50R17 with 205/60R16?

205/60R16 is a safe swap for 215/50R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.87%.

What's the difference between 215/50R17 and 205/60R16?

205/60R16 is 0.22" taller and 10 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.61". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.5 mph.

Will 205/60R16 fit on 215/50R17 wheels?

No — 215/50R17 needs a 17" wheel and 205/60R16 a 16" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.