My Tire Guide

205/65R16 tire size

A 205/65R16 tire stands 26.5 inches tall and 8.1 inches wide, with a 5.2-inch sidewall on a 16-inch rim.

26.5″OVERALL 26.5 IN · RIM 16 IN8.1″5.2″WIDTH · SIDEWALL
Overall height
26.5 in673 mm
Section width
8.1 in205 mm
Sidewall height
5.2 in133 mm
Rim diameter
16 in406 mm
Circumference
83.2 in2114 mm
Revolutions per mile
761473 per km
Inch size
26.5x8.1R16

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 205/65R16's overall height, the usual limit before the speedometer, ABS and transmission notice. The closest is 225/60R16, 0.5% taller (0.14 in). Wider sizes also need room in the wheel well and a rim width that suits them.

SizeHeightWidthAt 60 mph
225/60R16+0.5%+0.14 in+20 mm60.3 mph
195/70R16+1.0%+0.26 in−10 mm60.6 mph
185/70R16−1.1%−0.30 in−20 mm59.3 mph
215/60R16−1.3%−0.33 in+10 mm59.2 mph
185/75R16+1.6%+0.43 in−20 mm61.0 mph
195/65R16−1.9%−0.51 in−10 mm58.8 mph
215/65R16+1.9%+0.51 in+10 mm61.2 mph
225/55R16−2.8%−0.75 in+20 mm58.3 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 205/65R16.

SizeHeightWidthAt 60 mph
225/70R14−0.3%−0.09 in+20 mm59.8 mph
195/75R15+0.1%+0.02 in−10 mm60.1 mph
185/65R17−0.1%−0.02 in−20 mm59.9 mph
215/50R18−0.1%−0.03 in+10 mm59.9 mph

Other 16-inch sizes near 205/65R16

205 mm wide, other sidewalls

65 series, other widths

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

Shop 205/65R16 tires

These open each store's own list of 205/65R16 tires, where you can filter by type, load and speed rating.

205/65R16 questions

How tall is a 205/65R16 tire?

About 26.5 inches (673 mm) from the ground to the top of the tread, unloaded. On the vehicle, carrying weight, it sits a little lower.

What does 205/65R16 mean?

205 is the section width in millimetres (8.1 in). 65 means the sidewall is 65% of that width: 133 mm, or 5.2 in. R means radial construction, and 16 is the rim diameter in inches.

Can I use 225/60R16 instead of 205/65R16?

225/60R16 is 0.5% taller (0.14 in) and 20 mm wider, which is inside the usual 3% rule. With it fitted, the speedometer shows 60 mph when you are doing 60.3 mph. Make sure the extra width clears the suspension and fender liner at full lock.

What is 205/65R16 in inches?

In inch terms it is 26.5x8.1R16: 26.5 inches tall, 8.1 inches wide, for a 16-inch rim.

How many revolutions per mile does a 205/65R16 make?

About 761 turns per mile, worked out from its unloaded circumference of 83.2 inches. Makers list slightly higher numbers for their own tires, because a loaded tire rolls on a smaller radius.