What is the diameter difference between 195/60R15 and 205/55R16?

195/60R15 has an overall diameter of 24.21 inches (615 mm). 205/55R16 is 24.88 inches (632 mm). That's a 0.67 inch (17 mm) difference — 205/55R16 is taller.

Will 205/55R16 cause speedometer error on a car fitted with 195/60R15?

Swapping 195/60R15 for 205/55R16 produces a speedometer error of about 2.7%. Your speedometer will read lower than your actual speed — a 60 mph indicated reading is really 61.6 mph. Anything under 3% is usually acceptable without recalibration.

How many revolutions per mile does each size do?

195/60R15 turns 833 revs per mile. 205/55R16 turns 811 revs per mile. Taller tyres turn fewer times per mile, which lowers effective final-drive ratio.

What's the sidewall height difference?

195/60R15 has a sidewall of 117 mm (4.61 in). 205/55R16 sidewall is 113 mm (4.44 in). Lower-profile sidewalls give sharper steering response but less bump compliance.

Is 205/55R16 a safe plus-size upgrade from 195/60R15?

A plus-size upgrade is considered safe when overall diameter stays within ±3% — here the difference is 2.7%. This swap is within the typical safe range; speedometer and ABS calibration should remain close to factory.

Tire size comparison

195/60R15 vs 205/55R16

Overall diameter, sidewall, revs per mile, and speedometer error — 205/55R16 is the taller tire, with a 2.7% speedo delta when swapping.

195/60R15

24.21in

615 mm overall diameter

205/55R16

24.88in

632 mm overall diameter

Diameter Δ

0.67 in

Speedo error

2.7%

195/60R15 revs/mi

833

205/55R16 revs/mi

811

Within the ±3% overall-diameter band usually considered safe for plus-sizing — speedometer and ABS calibration should stay close to factory.

Full spec

Side by side

Metric	195/60R15	205/55R16
Section width	195 mm	205 mm
Aspect ratio	60	55
Wheel diameter	15″	16″
Sidewall height	117 mm	113 mm
Overall diameter	24.21 in (615 mm)	24.88 in (632 mm)
Circumference	76.07 in	78.16 in
Revolutions / mile	833	811

Other comparisons for these sizes

185/65R14 vs 195/60R15 185/65R14 vs 205/55R16 185/60R15 vs 195/60R15 195/65R15 vs 195/60R15 195/60R15 vs 215/50R17 205/55R16 vs 215/50R17 205/55R16 vs 205/50R17 205/55R16 vs 225/45R18 205/55R16 vs 205/60R16

FAQ

Frequently asked

What is the diameter difference between 195/60R15 and 205/55R16?: 195/60R15 has an overall diameter of 24.21 inches (615 mm). 205/55R16 is 24.88 inches (632 mm). That's a 0.67 inch (17 mm) difference — 205/55R16 is taller.
Will 205/55R16 cause speedometer error on a car fitted with 195/60R15?: Swapping 195/60R15 for 205/55R16 produces a speedometer error of about 2.7%. Your speedometer will read lower than your actual speed — a 60 mph indicated reading is really 61.6 mph. Anything under 3% is usually acceptable without recalibration.
How many revolutions per mile does each size do?: 195/60R15 turns 833 revs per mile. 205/55R16 turns 811 revs per mile. Taller tyres turn fewer times per mile, which lowers effective final-drive ratio.
What's the sidewall height difference?: 195/60R15 has a sidewall of 117 mm (4.61 in). 205/55R16 sidewall is 113 mm (4.44 in). Lower-profile sidewalls give sharper steering response but less bump compliance.
Is 205/55R16 a safe plus-size upgrade from 195/60R15?: A plus-size upgrade is considered safe when overall diameter stays within ±3% — here the difference is 2.7%. This swap is within the typical safe range; speedometer and ABS calibration should remain close to factory.