225/65R16 vs 215/70R16

Q: Can I replace 225/65R16 with 215/70R16?

215/70R16 is a safe swap for 225/65R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.22%.

215/70R16 is a safe swap for 225/65R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.22%.

225/65R16 27.52" · 215/70R16 27.85" · drawn to scale

Side by side

	225/65R16	215/70R16	Difference
Overall diameter	27.52"	27.85"	+0.33" (+1.22%)
Section width	225 mm	215 mm	-10 mm
Sidewall	5.76"	5.93"	+0.17"
Rim	16"	16"	same
Circumference	86.4"	87.5"	+1.1"
Revs per mile	733	724	-9
Ride height	—	—	+0.17"
Speedometer reads 60 mph	60.0	60.7	+0.7 mph

Speedometer and odometer

With 215/70R16 on a car calibrated for 225/65R16, the speedometer reads 59.3 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.2%.

Speedo shows	Actual speed
30 mph	30.4 mph
45 mph	45.5 mph
60 mph	60.7 mph
70 mph	70.9 mph
80 mph	81.0 mph

Other sizes close to 225/65R16

Questions

Can I replace 225/65R16 with 215/70R16?

215/70R16 is a safe swap for 225/65R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.22%.

What's the difference between 225/65R16 and 215/70R16?

215/70R16 is 0.33" taller and 10 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.17". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.7 mph.

Will 215/70R16 fit on 225/65R16 wheels?

Both use a 16" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 215 mm tire and the fender clearance.