CarSpecsHQ

215/60R16 vs 205/70R15

205/70R15 is a safe swap for 215/60R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.54%.

16" → 15"
215/60R16 26.16" · 205/70R15 26.30" · drawn to scale

Side by side

215/60R16205/70R15Difference
Overall diameter26.16"26.30"+0.14" (+0.54%)
Section width215 mm205 mm-10 mm
Sidewall5.08"5.65"+0.57"
Rim16"15"-1"
Circumference82.2"82.6"+0.4"
Revs per mile771767-4
Ride height——+0.07"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.3+0.3 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.3 mph

With 205/70R15 on a car calibrated for 215/60R16, the speedometer reads 59.7 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.5%.

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

Other sizes close to 215/60R16

Questions

Can I replace 215/60R16 with 205/70R15?

205/70R15 is a safe swap for 215/60R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.54%.

What's the difference between 215/60R16 and 205/70R15?

205/70R15 is 0.14" taller and 10 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.57". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.3 mph.

Will 205/70R15 fit on 215/60R16 wheels?

No — 215/60R16 needs a 16" wheel and 205/70R15 a 15" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.