My Tire Guide

215/55R16 tire size

A 215/55R16 tire stands 25.3 inches tall and 8.5 inches wide, with a 4.7-inch sidewall on a 16-inch rim.

25.3″OVERALL 25.3 IN · RIM 16 IN8.5″4.7″WIDTH · SIDEWALL
Overall height
25.3 in643 mm
Section width
8.5 in215 mm
Sidewall height
4.7 in118 mm
Rim diameter
16 in406 mm
Circumference
79.5 in2020 mm
Revolutions per mile
797495 per km
Inch size
25.3x8.5R16

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 215/55R16's overall height, the usual limit before the speedometer, ABS and transmission notice. The closest is 235/50R16, 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
235/50R16−0.2%−0.06 in+20 mm59.9 mph
195/60R16−0.4%−0.10 in−20 mm59.8 mph
205/60R16+1.5%+0.37 in−10 mm60.9 mph
225/55R16+1.7%+0.43 in+10 mm61.0 mph
205/55R16−1.7%−0.43 in−10 mm59.0 mph
225/50R16−1.8%−0.45 in+10 mm58.9 mph
195/65R16+2.6%+0.67 in−20 mm61.6 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 215/55R16.

SizeHeightWidthAt 60 mph
205/70R14−0.0%−0.01 in−10 mm60.0 mph
185/70R15−0.5%−0.11 in−30 mm59.7 mph
235/45R17+0.1%+0.02 in+20 mm60.0 mph
185/50R18−0.1%−0.03 in−30 mm59.9 mph

Other 16-inch sizes near 215/55R16

215 mm wide, other sidewalls

55 series, other widths

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

Shop 215/55R16 tires

These open each store's own list of 215/55R16 tires, where you can filter by type, load and speed rating.

215/55R16 questions

How tall is a 215/55R16 tire?

About 25.3 inches (643 mm) from the ground to the top of the tread, unloaded. On the vehicle, carrying weight, it sits a little lower.

What does 215/55R16 mean?

215 is the section width in millimetres (8.5 in). 55 means the sidewall is 55% of that width: 118 mm, or 4.7 in. R means radial construction, and 16 is the rim diameter in inches.

Can I use 195/60R16 instead of 215/55R16?

195/60R16 is 0.4% shorter (0.10 in) and 20 mm narrower, which is inside the usual 3% rule. With it fitted, the speedometer shows 60 mph when you are doing 59.8 mph.

What is 215/55R16 in inches?

In inch terms it is 25.3x8.5R16: 25.3 inches tall, 8.5 inches wide, for a 16-inch rim.

How many revolutions per mile does a 215/55R16 make?

About 797 turns per mile, worked out from its unloaded circumference of 79.5 inches. Makers list slightly higher numbers for their own tires, because a loaded tire rolls on a smaller radius.