235/60R16 vs 205/70R16

Q: Can I replace 235/60R16 with 205/70R16?

205/70R16 is a safe swap for 235/60R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.73%.

205/70R16 is a safe swap for 235/60R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.73%.

235/60R16 27.10" · 205/70R16 27.30" · drawn to scale

Side by side

	235/60R16	205/70R16	Difference
Overall diameter	27.10"	27.30"	+0.20" (+0.73%)
Section width	235 mm	205 mm	-30 mm
Sidewall	5.55"	5.65"	+0.10"
Rim	16"	16"	same
Circumference	85.1"	85.8"	+0.6"
Revs per mile	744	739	-5
Ride height	—	—	+0.10"
Speedometer reads 60 mph	60.0	60.4	+0.4 mph

Speedometer and odometer

With 205/70R16 on a car calibrated for 235/60R16, the speedometer reads 59.6 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.7%.

Speedo shows	Actual speed
30 mph	30.2 mph
45 mph	45.3 mph
60 mph	60.4 mph
70 mph	70.5 mph
80 mph	80.6 mph

Other sizes close to 235/60R16

Questions

Can I replace 235/60R16 with 205/70R16?

205/70R16 is a safe swap for 235/60R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.73%.

What's the difference between 235/60R16 and 205/70R16?

205/70R16 is 0.20" taller and 30 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.10". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.4 mph.

Will 205/70R16 fit on 235/60R16 wheels?

Both use a 16" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 205 mm tire and the fender clearance.