215/70R15 vs 205/75R15

Q: Can I replace 215/70R15 with 205/75R15?

205/75R15 is a safe swap for 215/70R15 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.95%.

205/75R15 is a safe swap for 215/70R15 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.95%.

215/70R15 26.85" · 205/75R15 27.11" · drawn to scale

Side by side

	215/70R15	205/75R15	Difference
Overall diameter	26.85"	27.11"	+0.26" (+0.95%)
Section width	215 mm	205 mm	-10 mm
Sidewall	5.93"	6.05"	+0.13"
Rim	15"	15"	same
Circumference	84.4"	85.2"	+0.8"
Revs per mile	751	744	-7
Ride height	—	—	+0.13"
Speedometer reads 60 mph	60.0	60.6	+0.6 mph

Speedometer and odometer

With 205/75R15 on a car calibrated for 215/70R15, the speedometer reads 59.4 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.0%.

Speedo shows	Actual speed
30 mph	30.3 mph
45 mph	45.4 mph
60 mph	60.6 mph
70 mph	70.7 mph
80 mph	80.8 mph

Other sizes close to 215/70R15

Questions

Can I replace 215/70R15 with 205/75R15?

205/75R15 is a safe swap for 215/70R15 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.95%.

What's the difference between 215/70R15 and 205/75R15?

205/75R15 is 0.26" taller and 10 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.13". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.6 mph.

Will 205/75R15 fit on 215/70R15 wheels?

Both use a 15" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 205 mm tire and the fender clearance.