What is the diameter difference between 205/60R16 and 225/60R16?

205/60R16 has an overall diameter of 25.69 inches (652 mm). 225/60R16 is 26.63 inches (676 mm). That's a 0.94 inch (24 mm) difference — 225/60R16 is taller.

Will 225/60R16 cause speedometer error on a car fitted with 205/60R16?

Swapping 205/60R16 for 225/60R16 produces a speedometer error of about 3.7%. Your speedometer will read lower than your actual speed — a 60 mph indicated reading is really 62.2 mph. Anything under 3% is usually acceptable without recalibration.

How many revolutions per mile does each size do?

205/60R16 turns 785 revs per mile. 225/60R16 turns 757 revs per mile. Taller tyres turn fewer times per mile, which lowers effective final-drive ratio.

What's the sidewall height difference?

205/60R16 has a sidewall of 123 mm (4.84 in). 225/60R16 sidewall is 135 mm (5.31 in). Lower-profile sidewalls give sharper steering response but less bump compliance.

Is 225/60R16 a safe plus-size upgrade from 205/60R16?

A plus-size upgrade is considered safe when overall diameter stays within ±3% — here the difference is 3.7%. This swap is outside the typical ±3% safe range and may require speedometer recalibration or affect ABS / traction control behaviour.

Tire size comparison

205/60R16 vs 225/60R16

Overall diameter, sidewall, revs per mile, and speedometer error — 225/60R16 is the taller tire, with a 3.7% speedo delta when swapping.

205/60R16

25.69in

652 mm overall diameter

225/60R16

26.63in

676 mm overall diameter

Diameter Δ

0.94 in

Speedo error

3.7%

205/60R16 revs/mi

785

225/60R16 revs/mi

757

Outside the typical ±3% safe plus-size band — you may want speedometer recalibration, and this change can affect ABS or traction control behaviour.

Full spec

Side by side

Metric	205/60R16	225/60R16
Section width	205 mm	225 mm
Aspect ratio	60	60
Wheel diameter	16″	16″
Sidewall height	123 mm	135 mm
Overall diameter	25.69 in (652 mm)	26.63 in (676 mm)
Circumference	80.69 in	83.66 in
Revolutions / mile	785	757

Other comparisons for these sizes

195/65R15 vs 205/60R16 205/65R15 vs 205/60R16 205/55R16 vs 205/60R16 205/60R16 vs 215/55R17 205/60R16 vs 215/60R16 215/60R16 vs 225/60R16 225/60R16 vs 235/55R17

FAQ

Frequently asked

What is the diameter difference between 205/60R16 and 225/60R16?: 205/60R16 has an overall diameter of 25.69 inches (652 mm). 225/60R16 is 26.63 inches (676 mm). That's a 0.94 inch (24 mm) difference — 225/60R16 is taller.
Will 225/60R16 cause speedometer error on a car fitted with 205/60R16?: Swapping 205/60R16 for 225/60R16 produces a speedometer error of about 3.7%. Your speedometer will read lower than your actual speed — a 60 mph indicated reading is really 62.2 mph. Anything under 3% is usually acceptable without recalibration.
How many revolutions per mile does each size do?: 205/60R16 turns 785 revs per mile. 225/60R16 turns 757 revs per mile. Taller tyres turn fewer times per mile, which lowers effective final-drive ratio.
What's the sidewall height difference?: 205/60R16 has a sidewall of 123 mm (4.84 in). 225/60R16 sidewall is 135 mm (5.31 in). Lower-profile sidewalls give sharper steering response but less bump compliance.
Is 225/60R16 a safe plus-size upgrade from 205/60R16?: A plus-size upgrade is considered safe when overall diameter stays within ±3% — here the difference is 3.7%. This swap is outside the typical ±3% safe range and may require speedometer recalibration or affect ABS / traction control behaviour.