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Sidewall

195/65R16 vs 205/65R16

Going from one to the other changes the overall height by +2.0 %. That is inside the 3% band, so it fits and the speedometer stays close.

127 mm sidewall660 mm · 26.0"
195/65R16
133 mm sidewall673 mm · 26.5"
205/65R16

Side by side


Measure195/65R16205/65R16Change
Overall height26.0"26.5"+2.0 %
Sidewall4.99"5.25"+5.1 %
Section width195 mm205 mm+5.1 %
Circumference81.6"83.2"+2.0 %
Revs per mile776761-2.0 %
Axle height12.99"13.25"+6.5 mm
Approved rim width5.5–7"5.5–7.5"overlap 5.5–7"

Both are approved on a rim 5.5" to 7" wide. If yours is in that band, this is a tire change and nothing else.

What the speedometer will say

Calibrated for 195/65R16. Fit 205/65R16 and the needle stops telling the truth.


Needle saysYou are doingOut by
30 mph30.6 mph+0.6
50 mph51.0 mph+1.0
70 mph71.4 mph+1.4
90 mph91.8 mph+1.8

The odometer drifts with it. Ten thousand miles on the dial are really 10,197 on the road, so it under-counts by 197. At a true 70 mph the first turns 906 times a minute, the second 888.

What drivers reported


195/65R16 carries 2 complaints. 205/65R16 carries 22.

Everything about 195/65R16 · Everything about 205/65R16