CarSpecsHQ

225/50R16 vs 195/65R15

195/65R15 is a safe swap for 225/50R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.49%.

16" → 15"
225/50R16 24.86" · 195/65R15 24.98" · drawn to scale

Side by side

225/50R16195/65R15Difference
Overall diameter24.86"24.98"+0.12" (+0.49%)
Section width225 mm195 mm-30 mm
Sidewall4.43"4.99"+0.56"
Rim16"15"-1"
Circumference78.1"78.5"+0.4"
Revs per mile811807-4
Ride height——+0.06"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.3+0.3 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.3 mph

With 195/65R15 on a car calibrated for 225/50R16, the speedometer reads 59.7 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.5%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.1 mph
45 mph45.2 mph
60 mph60.3 mph
70 mph70.3 mph
80 mph80.4 mph

Other sizes close to 225/50R16

Questions

Can I replace 225/50R16 with 195/65R15?

195/65R15 is a safe swap for 225/50R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.49%.

What's the difference between 225/50R16 and 195/65R15?

195/65R15 is 0.12" taller and 30 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.56". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.3 mph.

Will 195/65R15 fit on 225/50R16 wheels?

No — 225/50R16 needs a 16" wheel and 195/65R15 a 15" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.