215/55R16 Tire Size in Inches

Diameter, width, sidewall and the closest equivalent sizes, computed from the size code.

215/55R16
25.3" tall × 8.5" wide
On a 16-inch wheel · roughly 25.3x8.5R16 in flotation sizing
MeasurementInchesMillimetres
Overall diameter25.31643
Section width8.46215
Sidewall height4.66118.2
Wheel diameter16406
Circumference79.52020
Revolutions per mile797 (495 per km)

What 215/55R16 means

215 is the section width in millimetres (8.5 in). 55 is the aspect ratio: the sidewall is 55% as tall as the tire is wide, which works out to 118.2 mm or 4.7 in. R16 is a radial tire for a 16-inch wheel.

Overall diameter is the wheel plus two sidewalls: 16 + 2 × 4.66 = 25.3 inches. These are the nominal dimensions every maker builds to; a real 215/55R16 can measure a few tenths of an inch differently by model and inflation.

Closest equivalent sizes

Common sizes within the usual 3% of 215/55R16's overall diameter. Confirm load index, speed rating and rim width before swapping.

SizeDiameterWidthChangeSpeedometer at 60
265/35R18 new wheels 25.3 in 10.4 in -0.0% really 60.0 mph
205/70R14 new wheels 25.3 in 8.1 in -0.0% really 60.0 mph
235/45R17 new wheels 25.3 in 9.3 in +0.1% really 60.0 mph
235/40R18 new wheels 25.4 in 9.3 in +0.4% really 60.2 mph
195/60R16 25.2 in 7.7 in -0.4% really 59.8 mph
215/60R15 new wheels 25.2 in 8.5 in -0.6% really 59.6 mph

Speedometer if you switch to 195/60R16

Your speedometer stays calibrated for 215/55R16. With a shorter tire you travel slower than it shows.

Speedometer readsTrue speed
30 mph29.9 mph
45 mph44.8 mph
55 mph54.8 mph
65 mph64.7 mph
75 mph74.7 mph
Compare 215/55R16 with any size →

Shop 215/55R16 tires

Check the load index and speed rating on your door-jamb placard before you buy, especially for LT tires used for towing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

A 215/55R16 tire is 25.3 inches (643 mm) tall overall. That is the 16-inch wheel plus two sidewalls of 4.7 inches each (55% of the 215 mm section width). Expect a real tire to measure within a few tenths of an inch of this, depending on the model and inflation.

The section width is 215 mm, or 8.5 inches, measured sidewall to sidewall on the recommended rim width. The tread itself is narrower than that. In flotation sizing, 215/55R16 is roughly a 25.3x8.5R16.

265/35R18 is the closest common size, at -0.0% overall diameter (25.3 in against 25.3 in). Most makers treat about 3% as the limit for a swap without speedometer or clearance problems, but always confirm load index, speed rating and wheel width before changing size.

About 797 revolutions per mile (495 per kilometre), from its 25.3-inch rolling diameter. Real-world figures run slightly higher because a loaded tire squats. This number is what your speedometer and odometer are calibrated against.

Last updated: October 2, 2026

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Other 16-inch sizes

195/55R16 195/60R16 195/65R16 205/50R16 205/55R16 205/60R16 205/65R16 215/60R16 215/65R16 215/70R16 215/85R16 225/50R16 225/55R16 225/60R16 225/65R16 225/70R16 225/75R16 235/60R16 235/65R16 235/70R16 235/75R16 235/85R16 245/70R16 245/75R16 255/65R16 255/70R16 265/70R16 265/75R16 285/75R16 205/45R16 255/85R16 275/70R16 305/70R16 315/75R16