My Tire Guide

205/55R16 tire size

A 205/55R16 tire stands 24.9 inches tall and 8.1 inches wide, with a 4.4-inch sidewall on a 16-inch rim.

24.9″OVERALL 24.9 IN · RIM 16 IN8.1″4.4″WIDTH · SIDEWALL
Overall height
24.9 in632 mm
Section width
8.1 in205 mm
Sidewall height
4.4 in113 mm
Rim diameter
16 in406 mm
Circumference
78.2 in1985 mm
Revolutions per mile
811504 per km
Inch size
24.9x8.1R16

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 205/55R16's overall height, the usual limit before the speedometer, ABS and transmission notice. The closest is 225/50R16, 0.1% shorter (0.02 in). Wider sizes also need room in the wheel well and a rim width that suits them.

SizeHeightWidthAt 60 mph
225/50R16−0.1%−0.02 in+20 mm60.0 mph
185/60R16−0.6%−0.14 in−20 mm59.7 mph
195/60R16+1.3%+0.33 in−10 mm60.8 mph
215/50R16−1.7%−0.41 in+10 mm59.0 mph
195/55R16−1.7%−0.43 in−10 mm59.0 mph
215/55R16+1.7%+0.43 in+10 mm61.0 mph
185/65R16+2.4%+0.59 in−20 mm61.4 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 205/55R16.

SizeHeightWidthAt 60 mph
185/75R14+0.2%+0.05 in−20 mm60.1 mph
195/65R15+0.4%+0.10 in−10 mm60.2 mph
225/45R17+0.4%+0.09 in+20 mm60.2 mph
195/45R18+0.1%+0.03 in−10 mm60.1 mph

205/55R16 compared

Other 16-inch sizes near 205/55R16

205 mm wide, other sidewalls

55 series, other widths

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

Shop 205/55R16 tires

These open each store's own list of 205/55R16 tires, where you can filter by type, load and speed rating.

205/55R16 questions

How tall is a 205/55R16 tire?

About 24.9 inches (632 mm) from the ground to the top of the tread, unloaded. On the vehicle, carrying weight, it sits a little lower.

What does 205/55R16 mean?

205 is the section width in millimetres (8.1 in). 55 means the sidewall is 55% of that width: 113 mm, or 4.4 in. R means radial construction, and 16 is the rim diameter in inches.

Can I use 225/50R16 instead of 205/55R16?

225/50R16 is 0.1% shorter (0.02 in) and 20 mm wider, which is inside the usual 3% rule. With it fitted, the speedometer shows 60 mph when you are doing 60.0 mph. Make sure the extra width clears the suspension and fender liner at full lock.

What is 205/55R16 in inches?

In inch terms it is 24.9x8.1R16: 24.9 inches tall, 8.1 inches wide, for a 16-inch rim.

How many revolutions per mile does a 205/55R16 make?

About 811 turns per mile, worked out from its unloaded circumference of 78.2 inches. Makers list slightly higher numbers for their own tires, because a loaded tire rolls on a smaller radius.