215/55R16 tire size in inches

A 215/55R16 tire measures

25.3" tall × 8.5" wide

4.66" sidewall on a 16" wheel. 797 revolutions per mile.

215/55R16 means a tire 215 mm wide, with sidewalls 55% as tall as the tire is wide (118 mm), radial construction (R), for a 16 inch wheel.

25.3"16" rim4.7"8.5" wide
215/55R16: 25.3 inches tall, 8.5 inches wide, on a 16 inch rim, drawn to scale

215/55R16 specs

Overall diameter (height)25.31 inches (643 mm)
Section width8.46 inches (215 mm)
Sidewall height4.66 inches (118 mm)
Wheel (rim) diameter16 inches
Circumference79.5 inches (2,020 mm)
Revolutions per mile797
Revolutions per kilometer495
Approximate rim width6.0" to 7.5"
In inches (flotation style)25.3x8.5R16
Aspect ratio55%

Calculated from the size. Real tires differ by brand, model and tread depth, typically by a few tenths of an inch.

Sizes that can replace 215/55R16 on a 16" wheel

These 16" sizes are within 3% of 215/55R16's overall diameter, the range most tire shops treat as interchangeable.

SizeDiameterWidthDifferenceReal speed at 60
295/40R1625.29"11.61"−0.1%60.0 mphCompare
235/50R1625.25"9.25"−0.2%59.9 mphCompare
265/45R1625.39"10.43"+0.3%60.2 mphCompare
195/60R1625.21"7.68"−0.4%59.8 mphCompare
185/65R1625.47"7.28"+0.6%60.4 mphCompare
255/45R1625.04"10.04"−1.1%59.3 mphCompare
175/70R1625.65"6.89"+1.3%60.8 mphCompare
245/50R1625.65"9.65"+1.3%60.8 mphCompare
285/40R1624.98"11.22"−1.3%59.2 mphCompare
175/65R1624.96"6.89"−1.4%59.2 mphCompare
205/60R1625.69"8.07"+1.5%60.9 mphCompare
205/55R1624.88"8.07"−1.7%59.0 mphCompare

Same height on other wheel sizes (plus and minus sizing)

SizeWheelDiameterDifference
225/30R2020"25.31"0.0%Compare
265/35R1818"25.30"0.0%Compare
205/70R1414"25.30"0.0%Compare
235/45R1717"25.33"+0.1%Compare
175/75R1515"25.33"+0.1%Compare
195/80R1313"25.28"−0.1%Compare
265/40R1717"25.35"+0.1%Compare
205/45R1818"25.26"−0.2%Compare
265/30R1919"25.26"−0.2%Compare
185/85R1313"25.38"+0.3%Compare
165/80R1515"25.39"+0.3%Compare
325/25R1919"25.40"+0.3%Compare

One size up or down

Compare 215/55R16 with another size

With 225/55R16 tires, when your speedometer says 60 mph you are really going

61.0 mph

225/55R16 is +0.43 inches (+1.7%) in overall diameter. That is within the 3% most shops and makers allow.

215/55R16225/55R16Difference%
Overall diameter25.31"25.74"+0.43"+1.7%
Section width8.46"8.86"+0.39"+4.7%
Sidewall height4.66"4.87"+0.22"+4.7%
Circumference79.52"80.88"+1.36"+1.7%
Revolutions per mile796.8783.4−13.4−1.7%

Questions

How tall is a 215/55R16 tire?
A 215/55R16 tire is 25.3 inches tall (643 mm), calculated from the size. It is 8.5 inches wide with 4.7 inches sidewalls. Real tires vary by a few tenths of an inch between brands and tread patterns.
What does 215/55R16 mean?
215/55R16 means a tire 215 mm wide, with sidewalls 55% as tall as the tire is wide (118 mm), radial construction (R), for a 16 inch wheel.
How many revolutions per mile does a 215/55R16 tire make?
About 797 revolutions per mile, based on a circumference of 79.5 inches. Under load the tire flattens slightly, so the maker's published figure is usually a little higher.
What rim width fits a 215/55R16 tire?
Roughly 6.0" to 7.5". Check the tire maker's approved rim range for the exact model before buying wheels.
Can I use 295/40R16 instead of 215/55R16?
295/40R16 is −0.02 inches (−0.1%) in overall diameter, so at an indicated 60 mph you would be doing 60.0 mph. Differences under 3% are usually fine, but check clearance, load index and your vehicle's placard.

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