235/60R16 vs 215/60R17

Q: Can I replace 235/60R16 with 215/60R17?

215/60R17 is a safe swap for 235/60R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.20%.

215/60R17 is a safe swap for 235/60R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.20%.

235/60R16 27.10" · 215/60R17 27.16" · drawn to scale

Side by side

	235/60R16	215/60R17	Difference
Overall diameter	27.10"	27.16"	+0.06" (+0.20%)
Section width	235 mm	215 mm	-20 mm
Sidewall	5.55"	5.08"	-0.47"
Rim	16"	17"	+1"
Circumference	85.1"	85.3"	+0.2"
Revs per mile	744	743	-2
Ride height	—	—	+0.03"
Speedometer reads 60 mph	60.0	60.1	+0.1 mph

Speedometer and odometer

With 215/60R17 on a car calibrated for 235/60R16, the speedometer reads 59.9 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.2%.

Speedo shows	Actual speed
30 mph	30.1 mph
45 mph	45.1 mph
60 mph	60.1 mph
70 mph	70.1 mph
80 mph	80.2 mph

Other sizes close to 235/60R16

Questions

Can I replace 235/60R16 with 215/60R17?

215/60R17 is a safe swap for 235/60R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.20%.

What's the difference between 235/60R16 and 215/60R17?

215/60R17 is 0.06" taller and 20 mm narrower; the sidewall is -0.47". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.1 mph.

Will 215/60R17 fit on 235/60R16 wheels?

No — 235/60R16 needs a 16" wheel and 215/60R17 a 17" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.