TireSizeCheck

195/60R15 vs 195/55R16

Fit verdict

Good fit

Diameter change

+1.0%

Within the 3% rule — overall diameter changes only 1.0%. Speedometer calibration, ABS, traction control and gearing all stay in their intended range. Your speedometer will read lower than your true speed.

New overall diameter

24.44″

was 24.21″

True speed at an indicated 60

60.6 mph

speedometer reads low

Revolutions per mile

825

was 833 · −8

Switching from 195/60R15 to 195/55R16? Everything that changes is below — sidewall, tread width, circumference, revolutions per mile and speedometer error at road speeds.

Measurement 195/60R15 195/55R16 Change
Overall diameter 24.21″ 24.44″ +0.23″ (+1.0%)
Sidewall height 4.61″ (117.0 mm) 4.22″ (107.3 mm) −9.8 mm
Tread width 195 mm 195 mm +0 mm
Circumference 76.07″ 76.80″ +0.73″
Revs per mile 833 825 −8
Speedometer error baseline +1.0% reads low

Diameter overlay

195/60R15 195/55R16

Speedometer check

With 195/55R16 fitted, when the speedometer shows the indicated speed, your actual speed is:

25 mph shown

25.2 mph actual

35 mph shown

35.3 mph actual

45 mph shown

45.4 mph actual

55 mph shown

55.5 mph actual

65 mph shown

65.6 mph actual

75 mph shown

75.7 mph actual

Common questions

Will 195/55R16 fit instead of 195/60R15?
Good fit. Within the 3% rule — overall diameter changes only 1.0%. Speedometer calibration, ABS, traction control and gearing all stay in their intended range. Your speedometer will read lower than your true speed. Overall diameter goes from 24.21″ to 24.44″, a change of +1.0%. As a rule of thumb, under 3% is safe, 3–5% needs a clearance check, and over 5% is not recommended.
How far off will my speedometer read on 195/55R16?
At an indicated 60 mph you would actually be travelling about 60.6 mph — a +1.0% error. The speedometer reads low, so you are going faster than it shows.
What is the difference in revolutions per mile between 195/60R15 and 195/55R16?
195/60R15 turns roughly 833 revolutions per mile; 195/55R16 turns roughly 825. That is a change of −8 revolutions per mile, which is what shifts odometer and speedometer readings.