CarSpecsHQ

215/60R15 vs 215/55R16

215/55R16 is a safe swap for 215/60R15 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.61%.

15" → 16"
215/60R15 25.16" · 215/55R16 25.31" · drawn to scale

Side by side

215/60R15215/55R16Difference
Overall diameter25.16"25.31"+0.15" (+0.61%)
Section width215 mm215 mm0 mm
Sidewall5.08"4.66"-0.42"
Rim15"16"+1"
Circumference79.0"79.5"+0.5"
Revs per mile802797-5
Ride height——+0.08"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.4+0.4 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.4 mph

With 215/55R16 on a car calibrated for 215/60R15, the speedometer reads 59.6 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.6%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.2 mph
45 mph45.3 mph
60 mph60.4 mph
70 mph70.4 mph
80 mph80.5 mph

Other sizes close to 215/60R15

Questions

Can I replace 215/60R15 with 215/55R16?

215/55R16 is a safe swap for 215/60R15 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.61%.

What's the difference between 215/60R15 and 215/55R16?

215/55R16 is 0.15" taller and 0 mm wider; the sidewall is -0.42". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.4 mph.

Will 215/55R16 fit on 215/60R15 wheels?

No — 215/60R15 needs a 15" wheel and 215/55R16 a 16" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.