CarSpecsHQ

215/60R17 vs 205/70R16

205/70R16 is a safe swap for 215/60R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.52%.

17" → 16"
215/60R17 27.16" · 205/70R16 27.30" · drawn to scale

Side by side

215/60R17205/70R16Difference
Overall diameter27.16"27.30"+0.14" (+0.52%)
Section width215 mm205 mm-10 mm
Sidewall5.08"5.65"+0.57"
Rim17"16"-1"
Circumference85.3"85.8"+0.4"
Revs per mile743739-4
Ride height——+0.07"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.3+0.3 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.3 mph

With 205/70R16 on a car calibrated for 215/60R17, 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 215/60R17

Questions

Can I replace 215/60R17 with 205/70R16?

205/70R16 is a safe swap for 215/60R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.52%.

What's the difference between 215/60R17 and 205/70R16?

205/70R16 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 205/70R16 fit on 215/60R17 wheels?

No — 215/60R17 needs a 17" wheel and 205/70R16 a 16" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.