My Tire Guide

205/50R16 tire size

A 205/50R16 tire stands 24.1 inches tall and 8.1 inches wide, with a 4.0-inch sidewall on a 16-inch rim.

24.1″OVERALL 24.1 IN · RIM 16 IN8.1″4.0″WIDTH · SIDEWALL
Overall height
24.1 in611 mm
Section width
8.1 in205 mm
Sidewall height
4.0 in103 mm
Rim diameter
16 in406 mm
Circumference
75.6 in1921 mm
Revolutions per mile
838521 per km
Inch size
24.1x8.1R16

Compare it with any other size in the tire size calculator.

Sizes you can swap to

These 16-inch sizes are within two width steps and 3% of a 205/50R16's overall height, the usual limit before the speedometer, ABS and transmission notice. The closest is 185/55R16, 0.2% shorter (0.06 in). Wider sizes also need room in the wheel well and a rim width that suits them.

SizeHeightWidthAt 60 mph
185/55R16−0.2%−0.06 in−20 mm59.9 mph
225/45R16−0.4%−0.10 in+20 mm59.8 mph
195/55R16+1.6%+0.37 in−10 mm60.9 mph
195/50R16−1.6%−0.39 in−10 mm59.0 mph
215/50R16+1.6%+0.39 in+10 mm61.0 mph
215/45R16−1.9%−0.45 in+10 mm58.9 mph
185/60R16+2.8%+0.67 in−20 mm61.7 mph

Plus and minus sizes

Changing rim size means changing the sidewall to keep the same overall height. On 14-inch or 15-inch or 17-inch or 18-inch rims, these are the closest matches to a 205/50R16.

SizeHeightWidthAt 60 mph
215/60R14+0.4%+0.09 in+10 mm60.2 mph
195/60R15+0.6%+0.14 in−10 mm60.4 mph
225/40R17+0.1%+0.02 in+20 mm60.0 mph
195/40R18+0.3%+0.07 in−10 mm60.2 mph

Other 16-inch sizes near 205/50R16

205 mm wide, other sidewalls

50 series, other widths

See the other sizes for this rim on 16-inch tire sizes.

Shop 205/50R16 tires

These open each store's own list of 205/50R16 tires, where you can filter by type, load and speed rating.

205/50R16 questions

How tall is a 205/50R16 tire?

About 24.1 inches (611 mm) from the ground to the top of the tread, unloaded. On the vehicle, carrying weight, it sits a little lower.

What does 205/50R16 mean?

205 is the section width in millimetres (8.1 in). 50 means the sidewall is 50% of that width: 103 mm, or 4.0 in. R means radial construction, and 16 is the rim diameter in inches.

Can I use 185/55R16 instead of 205/50R16?

185/55R16 is 0.2% shorter (0.06 in) and 20 mm narrower, which is inside the usual 3% rule. With it fitted, the speedometer shows 60 mph when you are doing 59.9 mph.

What is 205/50R16 in inches?

In inch terms it is 24.1x8.1R16: 24.1 inches tall, 8.1 inches wide, for a 16-inch rim.

How many revolutions per mile does a 205/50R16 make?

About 838 turns per mile, worked out from its unloaded circumference of 75.6 inches. Makers list slightly higher numbers for their own tires, because a loaded tire rolls on a smaller radius.