CarSpecsHQ

245/50R16 vs 205/60R16

205/60R16 is a safe swap for 245/50R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.15%.

16" rim
245/50R16 25.65" · 205/60R16 25.69" · drawn to scale

Side by side

245/50R16205/60R16Difference
Overall diameter25.65"25.69"+0.04" (+0.15%)
Section width245 mm205 mm-40 mm
Sidewall4.82"4.84"+0.02"
Rim16"16"same
Circumference80.6"80.7"+0.1"
Revs per mile786785-1
Ride height——+0.02"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.1+0.1 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.1 mph

With 205/60R16 on a car calibrated for 245/50R16, the speedometer reads 59.9 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.2%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.0 mph
45 mph45.1 mph
60 mph60.1 mph
70 mph70.1 mph
80 mph80.1 mph

Other sizes close to 245/50R16

Questions

Can I replace 245/50R16 with 205/60R16?

205/60R16 is a safe swap for 245/50R16 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.15%.

What's the difference between 245/50R16 and 205/60R16?

205/60R16 is 0.04" taller and 40 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.02". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.1 mph.

Will 205/60R16 fit on 245/50R16 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.