tireheight.com

205/55R16 vs 215/55R16

215/55R16 is 0.4″ taller than 205/55R16 on average, going by the heights their makers list (24.9″ vs 25.3″). On paper the gap is 0.43″.

205/55R16 and 215/55R16 drawn to the same scale: 24.9 and 25.3 inches tall on average as listed205/55R1624.9″215/55R1625.3″+0.4″
Drawn to the same scale, using the average height the makers list for each size.

What changes

Going from 205/55R16 to 215/55R16.

Lift+0.19″
Width+0.39″
Speedometer1.6% slow

Lift is half the height difference, since the axle sits at the middle of the tire. The speedometer figure assumes it was set for 205/55R16 and uses the revolutions per mile the makers publish: at an indicated 60 mph you'd be doing 61.0 mph.

Side by side

205/55R16215/55R16Difference
Listed height ″24.78–25.1025.20–25.30+0.39
Size code height ″24.8825.31+0.43
Height under load ″24.124.5+0.4
Width ″8.078.46+0.39
Listed width ″8.1–8.48.9+0.5
Sidewall ″4.444.66+0.22
Wheel ″1616same
Weight lb19.5–24.121.7–24.5+1.5
Tread depth /32″6–129–12+0.5
Tires listed2412

Tires sold in both sizes

The same model in each size, by the heights the maker lists. Averages where a model comes in several load ranges.

Tire205/55R16 ″215/55R16 ″Taller byHeavier by
BFGoodrich Advantage Control24.8825.28+0.40″+1.2 lb
General AltiMAX Arctic X24.9025.30+0.40″+2.4 lb
General AltiMAX RT4524.9025.30+0.40″+1.5 lb
General AltiMAX365 AW24.9025.30+0.40″+0.8 lb
General G-MAX AS0724.9025.30+0.40″+1.3 lb
Michelin CrossClimate224.9025.30+0.40″−0.1 lb
Michelin Defender224.8025.20+0.40″+1.0 lb
Michelin X-Ice Snow24.8825.28+0.40″+1.4 lb
Toyo Celsius II24.8825.28+0.40″+1.5 lb
Toyo Extensa A/S II24.8825.27+0.39″+2.6 lb
Toyo Extensa HP II24.8825.27+0.39″+1.5 lb
Toyo Observe G3-Ice24.8825.27+0.39″+2.0 lb

Questions about 205/55R16 vs 215/55R16

How much taller is 215/55R16 than 205/55R16?

0.39″ on average, going by the heights tire makers list: 205/55R16 tires are listed at 24.78–25.10″ and 215/55R16 at 25.20–25.30″. The size codes work out to 24.88″ and 25.31″, a 0.43″ difference.

How much lift does 215/55R16 give over 205/55R16?

The tire's radius grows by 0.19″, so the axle sits about 0.19″ higher, and the top of the tread comes 0.19″ closer to the fender. 215/55R16 is also 0.39″ wider on paper, 0.20″ per side on the same wheel. Whether it fits depends on your vehicle, lift and wheel offset.

Will my speedometer be off with 215/55R16 instead of 205/55R16?

Yes. If it's set for 205/55R16, it will read about 1.6% slow: at an indicated 60 mph you'll be doing 61.0 mph. Worked out from the revolutions per mile the makers publish.

Can 215/55R16 go on the same wheel as 205/55R16?

Both fit a 16-inch wheel. Wheel widths approved for both run from 6.0″ to 7.5″.