CarSpecsHQ

215/55R16 vs 205/60R16

205/60R16 is a safe swap for 215/55R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.48%.

16" rim
215/55R16 25.31" · 205/60R16 25.69" · drawn to scale

Side by side

215/55R16205/60R16Difference
Overall diameter25.31"25.69"+0.37" (+1.48%)
Section width215 mm205 mm-10 mm
Sidewall4.66"4.84"+0.19"
Rim16"16"same
Circumference79.5"80.7"+1.2"
Revs per mile797785-12
Ride height——+0.19"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.9+0.9 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.9 mph

With 205/60R16 on a car calibrated for 215/55R16, the speedometer reads 59.1 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.5%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.4 mph
45 mph45.7 mph
60 mph60.9 mph
70 mph71.0 mph
80 mph81.2 mph

Other sizes close to 215/55R16

Questions

Can I replace 215/55R16 with 205/60R16?

205/60R16 is a safe swap for 215/55R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.48%.

What's the difference between 215/55R16 and 205/60R16?

205/60R16 is 0.37" taller and 10 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.19". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.9 mph.

Will 205/60R16 fit on 215/55R16 wheels?

Both use a 16" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 205 mm tire and the fender clearance.