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195/60R17 vs 205/65R16 tire size comparison

195/60R17205/65R16

205/65R16 is 0.3 in (1.07%) taller than 195/60R17 and 0.4 in wider. They fit different wheels: 195/60R17 a 17-inch wheel and 205/65R16 a 16-inch wheel.

195/60R17 and 205/65R16 side by side

+0.3 in / +1.07%195/60R17: 26.2 in tall, solid line205/65R16: 26.5 in tall, dashed line195/60R17Width 7.7 in (195 mm)Sidewall 4.6 in (117 mm)205/65R16Width 8.1 in (205 mm)Sidewall 5.2 in (133 mm)
195/60R17 is drawn with a solid line and 205/65R16 with a dashed line. In each drawing both tires are to the same scale; the tread shoulder and bead curves are simplified. The table below has the same numbers.
Dimensions of 195/60R17 and 205/65R16, with the difference (205/65R16 minus 195/60R17)
Measurement195/60R17205/65R16DifferenceDifference %
Section width7.7 in (195 mm)8.1 in (205 mm)+0.4 in (+10 mm)+5.13%
Sidewall height4.6 in (117 mm)5.2 in (133 mm)+0.6 in (+16 mm)+13.89%
Wheel (rim) diameter17.0 in (432 mm)16.0 in (406 mm)-1.0 in (-26 mm)-5.88%
Overall diameter26.2 in (666 mm)26.5 in (673 mm)+0.3 in (+7 mm)+1.07%
Circumference82.3 in (2092 mm)83.2 in (2114 mm)+0.9 in (+22 mm)+1.07%
Revolutions per mile769761-8-1.06%

Differences are 205/65R16 minus 195/60R17; percentages are relative to 195/60R17. These are nominal design dimensions. Real tires vary by brand, tread depth, wheel width, load and pressure.

The overall diameter differs by 1.07%, which is within the common 3% rule of thumb.

The rule of thumb keeps a replacement size within about 3% of the original overall diameter. It covers diameter only. It is not a fit, load or safety check, because width, wheel diameter, load capacity and clearance matter too. Confirm any size change with your vehicle's owner's manual or a tire professional.

Speedometer difference

When the speedometer reads 60 mph on a vehicle built for 195/60R17, the actual speed on 205/65R16 is about 60.6 mph. When it reads 60 mph on a vehicle built for 205/65R16, the actual speed on 195/60R17 is about 59.4 mph. These figures assume the speedometer is accurate on the original size and use nominal dimensions, so treat them as estimates.

Actual speed for a given speedometer reading, 195/60R17 against 205/65R16
Speedometer readsActual on 205/65R16 (built for 195/60R17)Actual on 195/60R17 (built for 205/65R16)
20 mph20.2 mph19.8 mph
30 mph30.3 mph29.7 mph
40 mph40.4 mph39.6 mph
50 mph50.5 mph49.5 mph
60 mph60.6 mph59.4 mph
70 mph70.7 mph69.3 mph
80 mph80.9 mph79.2 mph

A common rule of thumb is to keep a replacement size within about 3% of the original overall diameter. Check the tire placard on the driver's door jamb and your owner's manual for the sizes your vehicle was built for. Confirm any size change with your vehicle's owner's manual or a tire professional.

Which vehicles use each size?

These vehicles list the size among their verified sizes, by trim. Open one to see all of its sizes.

Check it in the calculator

The calculator takes the same two sizes and shows the full comparison, or lets you swap either one for another size.

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Shop for 195/60R17 or 205/65R16 tires

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Other comparisons with 195/60R17

Side-by-side dimensions and speedometer difference for sizes close to 195/60R17 in overall diameter.

Other comparisons with 205/65R16

Side-by-side dimensions and speedometer difference for sizes close to 205/65R16 in overall diameter.

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