205/50R16 tire size
A 205/50R16 tire is 205 mm wide with a 102.5 mm sidewall, 50% of the width, on a 16-inch rim, which puts the whole tire at 611.4 mm, or about 24.1 inches, tall. No model in our data leaves the factory on it, but it can replace the original size on 11 models within 3% of the height.
Overall height
611.4 mm
24.1 in
Sidewall
102.5 mm
50%
Circumference
1,921 mm
Revs per km
521
Actual dimensions of 205/50R16
| Section width | 205 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sidewall height | 102.5 mm (4.04 in) |
| Rim diameter | 16 in (406.4 mm) |
| Overall diameter | 611.4 mm (24.1 in) |
| Circumference | 1,921 mm |
| Revolutions per km | 521 |
| Inch notation (height x width) | 24.1x8.1R16 |
Worked out: sidewall 205 x 0.5 = 102.5 mm, rim 16 x 25.4 = 406.4 mm, overall 406.4 + (102.5 x 2) = 611.4 mm, circumference 3.1416 x 611.4 = 1,921 mm. One turn of the tire moves the car about 1.92 m, which is 521 turns per kilometer. New to sidewall codes? See how to read a tire size.
These are nominal figures from the standard formula. Real tires vary slightly by brand and squat a little under the weight of the car.
Cars fitted with 205/50R16 from the factory
No model sold in Thailand in our data leaves the factory on 205/50R16.
Cars that can switch to 205/50R16
These cars leave the factory on another size within 3% of the height of 205/50R16. Whether it fits still depends on rim width and wheel-well clearance.
| Model | Factory size | Height difference | Wheel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda City2014–2019 | 185/55R16 | +0.25% | Same wheel |
| Honda City / City Hatchback2020–2023 | 185/55R16 | +0.25% | Same wheel |
| Honda Jazz (GK)2014–2021 | 185/55R16 | +0.25% | Same wheel |
| Suzuki Swift2018–2023 | 185/55R16 | +0.25% | Same wheel |
| MG3 HYBRID+Current model | 195/55R16 | −1.53% | Same wheel |
| Honda City / City Hatchback2023–present | 185/60R16 | −2.71% | Same wheel |
| Mazda22015–present | 185/60R16 | −2.71% | Same wheel |
| Toyota Vios2013–2022 | 185/60R15 | +1.39% | Needs 16-inch wheels |
| Toyota Yaris (Hatchback)2017–present | 185/60R15 | +1.39% | Needs 16-inch wheels |
| Toyota Yaris ATIV2017–2022 | 185/60R15 | +1.39% | Needs 16-inch wheels |
| Suzuki Ertiga2019–present | 185/65R15 | −1.63% | Needs 16-inch wheels |
Sizes that can replace 205/50R16
Sizes within ±3% of the overall height of 205/50R16. “At 100 km/h” is the real speed when the speedometer reads 100.
| Size | Height | Difference | At 100 km/h | Sidewall | Match | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 185/55R16 | 609.9 mm | −1.5 mm (−0.25%) | 99.8 km/h | 101.8 mm | Very close | Compare |
| 175/65R15 | 608.5 mm | −2.9 mm (−0.47%) | 99.5 km/h | 113.8 mm | Very close | Compare |
| 195/60R15 | 615.0 mm | +3.6 mm (+0.59%) | 100.6 km/h | 117.0 mm | Close | Compare |
| 205/45R17 | 616.3 mm | +4.9 mm (+0.80%) | 100.8 km/h | 92.3 mm | Close | Compare |
| 215/40R17 | 603.8 mm | −7.6 mm (−1.24%) | 98.8 km/h | 86.0 mm | Close | Compare |
| 185/60R15 | 603.0 mm | −8.4 mm (−1.37%) | 98.6 km/h | 111.0 mm | Close | Compare |
| 235/40R17 | 619.8 mm | +8.4 mm (+1.37%) | 101.4 km/h | 94.0 mm | Close | Compare |
| 195/55R16 | 620.9 mm | +9.5 mm (+1.55%) | 101.6 km/h | 107.3 mm | Close | Compare |
- Keeping your wheels, the closest is 185/55R16 at 609.9 mm, −1.5 mm (−0.25%) from the original. With the speedometer on 100 km/h, the car would actually be doing about 99.8 km/h. Ground clearance drops by about 0.8 mm.
- Moving up to 17-inch wheels, the closest height match is 205/45R17 (+0.80%), with the sidewall dropping from 102.5 mm to 92.3 mm.
- Going down to 15-inch wheels, 175/65R15 (−0.47%) is the closest match and raises the sidewall to 113.8 mm.
- A larger or wider tire also changes acceleration, fuel use and steering weight, so look beyond the percentage.
Buying 205/50R16 tires
Passenger tires in this size come in eco, comfort and sport lines. Japanese and European brands usually cost more than Asian ones, and the difference shows in noise, wet braking and tread life.
Check the production date in the DOT code before paying.
Check current prices
Search by brand
Links open marketplace search results; prices change constantly and not every brand makes this size.
Load index and speed rating for 205/50R16
The code after the size on the sidewall, as in 205/50R16 87V, is the load index and speed symbol. The common ratings for this size:
| Version | Index | Per tire | Four tires |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard load (SL) | 87 | 545 kg | 2,180 kg |
| Extra load (XL) | 91 | 615 kg | 2,460 kg |
The new tire's load index and speed symbol must be no lower than the door placard, and it only carries its rated load at the correct pressure.
Common speed symbols in this size
V
240 km/h
W
270 km/h
205/50R16 questions
How tall is a 205/50R16 tire?
About 24.1 inches, or 611.4 mm, from top to bottom before it carries weight. Each sidewall is 102.5 mm tall and the tire is 205 mm (8.1 in) wide.
Which cars use 205/50R16 tires?
No car in our data is fitted with 205/50R16 from the factory, but its height is close to the original size on Honda City, Honda City / City Hatchback, Honda Jazz (GK), Suzuki Swift and MG3 HYBRID+, so it works as a replacement size.
Can I fit 185/55R16 instead of 205/50R16?
Size-wise, yes: the height differs by −0.25% (−1.5 mm), so an indicated 100 km/h is really about 99.8 km/h. The tread is 20 mm narrower. Check rim width and load index first.
How much weight can a 205/50R16 tire carry?
Most standard-load versions carry load index 87: 545 kg per tire, 2,180 kg across four. XL versions are rated 91, or 615 kg per tire. Look for the number after the size on the sidewall, as in 205/50R16 87V.
Other 16-inch sizes
To compare other sizes yourself, use the tire size calculator; changing rim size, try plus/minus sizing; and see speedometer error by speed.