215/55R16 tire size: 25.31 in tall
Diameter, sidewall, width and revs per mile for 215/55R16, the common sizes within 3% of its diameter, and what each one does to the speedometer.
215/55R16, in short: 25.31 in (643 mm) tall and 215 mm (8.46 in) wide, with a 4.66 in (118.2 mm) sidewall, for a 16-inch wheel. Circumference is 79.52 in, so it turns about 797 times per mile (calculated from the nominal size).
Calculated from the size: sidewall = 215 × 55% = 118.25 mm; diameter = 2 × 4.656 in + 16 in; revs per mile = 63,360 ÷ (π × diameter).
Sizes within 3% of 215/55R16
19 common sizes come within ±3% of 25.31 in: 3 on the same 16-inch wheel, 13 plus-size and 3 minus-size. The last column is what the speedometer shows when the vehicle, set up for 215/55R16, is doing a true 60 mph.
| Size | Fit | Diameter | Difference | Width | Sidewall | Revs/mile (calc.) | Speedometer at a true 60 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 215/55R16 | This size | 25.31 in | - | 215 mm | 4.66 in | 797 | 60.0 mph |
| 195/65R15 | Minus 1 | 24.98 in | -1.31% | 195 mm | 4.99 in | 807 | 60.8 mph |
| 205/65R15 | Minus 1 | 25.49 in | +0.72% | 205 mm | 5.25 in | 791 | 59.6 mph |
| 215/65R15 | Minus 1 | 26.00 in | +2.74% | 215 mm | 5.50 in | 776 | 58.4 mph |
| 205/55R16 | Same wheel | 24.88 in | -1.71% | 205 mm | 4.44 in | 811 | 61.0 mph |
| 205/60R16 | Same wheel | 25.69 in | +1.48% | 205 mm | 4.84 in | 785 | 59.1 mph |
| 225/55R16 | Same wheel | 25.74 in | +1.71% | 225 mm | 4.87 in | 783 | 59.0 mph |
| 215/45R17 | Plus 1 | 24.62 in | -2.74% | 215 mm | 3.81 in | 819 | 61.7 mph |
| 225/45R17 | Plus 1 | 24.97 in | -1.34% | 225 mm | 3.99 in | 808 | 60.8 mph |
| 205/50R17 | Plus 1 | 25.07 in | -0.95% | 205 mm | 4.04 in | 804 | 60.6 mph |
| 235/45R17 | Plus 1 | 25.33 in | +0.06% | 235 mm | 4.16 in | 796 | 60.0 mph |
| 215/50R17 | Plus 1 | 25.46 in | +0.61% | 215 mm | 4.23 in | 792 | 59.6 mph |
| 245/45R17 | Plus 1 | 25.68 in | +1.46% | 245 mm | 4.34 in | 785 | 59.1 mph |
| 225/50R17 | Plus 1 | 25.86 in | +2.16% | 225 mm | 4.43 in | 780 | 58.7 mph |
| 205/55R17 | Plus 1 | 25.88 in | +2.24% | 205 mm | 4.44 in | 779 | 58.7 mph |
| 225/40R18 | Plus 2 | 25.09 in | -0.89% | 225 mm | 3.54 in | 804 | 60.5 mph |
| 235/40R18 | Plus 2 | 25.40 in | +0.36% | 235 mm | 3.70 in | 794 | 59.8 mph |
| 215/45R18 | Plus 2 | 25.62 in | +1.21% | 215 mm | 3.81 in | 787 | 59.3 mph |
| 245/40R18 | Plus 2 | 25.72 in | +1.60% | 245 mm | 3.86 in | 784 | 59.1 mph |
| 225/45R18 | Plus 2 | 25.97 in | +2.61% | 225 mm | 3.99 in | 777 | 58.5 mph |
A taller tire makes the speedometer read low, a shorter one high. Plus-sizing keeps the diameter close by trading sidewall for wheel. Any replacement needs a load index at least as high as the vehicle's tire placard calls for, and a wheel width the tire is approved for.
215/55R16 compared
215/55R16 side by side with 205/55R16 and 215/50R17: dimension by dimension, and what the swap does to the speedometer.
215/55R16 vs 205/55R16
-1.71% diameter| 215/55R16 | 205/55R16 | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter | 25.31 in | 24.88 in | -0.43 in (-1.7%) |
| Section width | 215 mm | 205 mm | -10 mm |
| Sidewall height | 4.66 in | 4.44 in | -0.22 in |
| Wheel diameter | 16 in | 16 in | +0 in |
| Circumference | 79.5 in | 78.2 in | -1.4 in |
| Revs per mile (calc.) | 797 | 811 | +14 |
205/55R16 is 1.7% shorter than 215/55R16. At a true 60 mph the speedometer shows 61.0 mph (it reads high), and when it shows 60 you're doing 59.0 mph.
215/55R16 vs 215/50R17
+0.61% diameter| 215/55R16 | 215/50R17 | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter | 25.31 in | 25.46 in | +0.15 in (+0.6%) |
| Section width | 215 mm | 215 mm | +0 mm |
| Sidewall height | 4.66 in | 4.23 in | -0.42 in |
| Wheel diameter | 16 in | 17 in | +1 in |
| Circumference | 79.5 in | 80.0 in | +0.5 in |
| Revs per mile (calc.) | 797 | 792 | -5 |
215/50R17 is 0.6% taller than 215/55R16. At a true 60 mph the speedometer shows 59.6 mph (it reads low), and when it shows 60 you're doing 60.4 mph.
Which vehicles come with 215/55R16
Vehicles sold in the US that have 215/55R16 as the standard size on these trims, with the page that lists it. The tire placard on the driver's door edge or post has the size, and the load and inflation, for the exact vehicle.
- Honda Civic Sedan 2025 model year · LXHonda Info Center (Honda official), 2025 Civic Sedan wheels and tires
- Honda Civic Hatchback 2024 model year · LX HatchbackMavis Tire OE fitment page, 2024 Honda Civic LX Hatchback (size flagged standard 'S')
Vehicles mostly picked from Carscoops: 2025 U.S. car sales, full-year top 25 (Car and Driver data, January 2026).
Questions about 215/55R16 tires
How tall is a 215/55R16 tire?
What is 215/55R16 in inches?
How many revolutions per mile does a 215/55R16 tire make?
What size can replace 215/55R16?
215/55R16 vs 205/55R16: what's the difference?
Which vehicles come with 215/55R16 tires?
How these numbers are worked out
- NHTSA: Tire safety, everything rides on it (reading the sidewall and the placard)
- Tire Rack: How do I calculate tire dimensions?
- Jalopnik: What the 3% rule means for your tires (April 2026)
Checked October 2026. Dimensions are nominal, calculated from the size designation. A real tire's diameter, width and revs per mile vary by brand, tread depth, rim width and load, so check the maker's spec sheet.
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