CarSpecsHQ

225/50R15 vs 205/50R16

205/50R16 is a safe swap for 225/50R15 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.89%.

15" → 16"
225/50R15 23.86" · 205/50R16 24.07" · drawn to scale

Side by side

225/50R15205/50R16Difference
Overall diameter23.86"24.07"+0.21" (+0.89%)
Section width225 mm205 mm-20 mm
Sidewall4.43"4.04"-0.39"
Rim15"16"+1"
Circumference75.0"75.6"+0.7"
Revs per mile845838-7
Ride height——+0.11"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.5+0.5 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.5 mph

With 205/50R16 on a car calibrated for 225/50R15, the speedometer reads 59.5 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.9%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.3 mph
45 mph45.4 mph
60 mph60.5 mph
70 mph70.6 mph
80 mph80.7 mph

Other sizes close to 225/50R15

Questions

Can I replace 225/50R15 with 205/50R16?

205/50R16 is a safe swap for 225/50R15 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.89%.

What's the difference between 225/50R15 and 205/50R16?

205/50R16 is 0.21" taller and 20 mm narrower; the sidewall is -0.39". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.5 mph.

Will 205/50R16 fit on 225/50R15 wheels?

No — 225/50R15 needs a 15" wheel and 205/50R16 a 16" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.