205/50R16 vs 205/55R16

205/50R16 vs 205/55R16: Comparision Size Chart


205/50R16 (Tire 1)205/55R16 (Tire 2)Difference
Tire Size In Inches24.1X8.1R1624.9X8.1R16
Diameter24.07"611.4 mm24.88"631.9 mm3.35%
Tread Width8.1205 mm8.1"205 mm0%
Rim Diameter16"406.4 mm16"406.4 mm0%
Sidewall Height4.04"102.5 mm4.44"112.75 mm10%
Circumference75.62"1920.77 mm78.16"1920.77 mm3.35%
Revs/Mile837.87 Revs/Mile810.64 Revs/Mile-27.23
Revs/Kilometer520.63 Revs/Mile503.71 Revs/Mile-16.92
Tire 1 Front View
8.1"
24.07"
Tire 2 Front View
8.1"
24.88"
Tire 1 Side View
Tire 1 Wheel
Circumference 1
75.62"
16"
4.04"
837.87 Revs/Mile
Tire 2 Side View
Tire 2 Wheel
Circumference 2
78.16"
16"
4.44"
810.64 Revs/Mile

Speedometer Error

205/50R16 (Mph)205/55R16 (Mph)
2020.67
3536.17
5051.68
6567.18
8082.68
9093.02
100103.35

205/55R16 vs 205/50R16: Gas Mileage & Performance Comparison

* Below is a comparison table. Assuming 2 tires of the same manufacturer, material and tested on the same road conditions.

205/50R16205/55R16
Wet/Snowy RoadsBetter TractionReduced Traction
Rough TerrainReduced StabilitySmoother Ride
Handling/SteeringLess ResponsiveLess Responsive
Gas MileageGoodBetter
Road NoiseQuieterQuieter
CostLess ExpensiveMore Expensive

Can You Replace The 205/50R16 With The 205/55R16?

No, both tires have the same rim diameter, but the 205/55R16 has a bigger overall diameter than the 205/50R16 which is 3.24% (0.81-inch).

When you want to replace a different tire size, as a rule, for the rim diameter, you will need to be sure that your tires and rims are an exact match, e.g. a 205/50R16 tire will only fit on a 16″ diameter rim.

You Can check our tools and charts below to find your size:

*Disclaimer: The information provided on the tire size is for general informational purposes only. We recommend that you consult a certified tire specialist or National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sets specific guidelines for tires used on vehicles.


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Jamie Hicks

Sullivan Kane

Tire Technician at TireSizesCalculator

Sullivan is a Tire Technician specializing in tire repair at TireSizesCalculator. With over 6 years of experience in the industry, Sullivan has become an expert in tire repair, maintenance & installation.


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