205/55R15 tire size in inches

A 205/55R15 tire measures

23.9" tall × 8.1" wide

4.44" sidewall on a 15" wheel. 845 revolutions per mile.

205/55R15 means a tire 205 mm wide, with sidewalls 55% as tall as the tire is wide (113 mm), radial construction (R), for a 15 inch wheel.

23.9"15" rim4.4"8.1" wide
205/55R15: 23.9 inches tall, 8.1 inches wide, on a 15 inch rim, drawn to scale

205/55R15 specs

Overall diameter (height)23.88 inches (607 mm)
Section width8.07 inches (205 mm)
Sidewall height4.44 inches (113 mm)
Wheel (rim) diameter15 inches
Circumference75.0 inches (1,905 mm)
Revolutions per mile845
Revolutions per kilometer525
Approximate rim width6.0" to 7.5"
In inches (flotation style)23.9x8.1R15
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 205/55R15 on a 15" wheel

These 15" sizes are within 3% of 205/55R15's overall diameter, the range most tire shops treat as interchangeable.

SizeDiameterWidthDifferenceReal speed at 60
225/50R1523.86"8.86"−0.1%60.0 mphCompare
175/65R1523.96"6.89"+0.3%60.2 mphCompare
185/60R1523.74"7.28"−0.6%59.7 mphCompare
255/45R1524.04"10.04"+0.7%60.4 mphCompare
245/45R1523.68"9.65"−0.8%59.5 mphCompare
165/70R1524.09"6.50"+0.9%60.5 mphCompare
195/60R1524.21"7.68"+1.4%60.8 mphCompare
235/50R1524.25"9.25"+1.6%60.9 mphCompare
215/50R1523.46"8.46"−1.7%59.0 mphCompare
165/65R1523.44"6.50"−1.8%58.9 mphCompare
195/55R1523.44"7.68"−1.8%58.9 mphCompare
215/55R1524.31"8.46"+1.8%61.1 mphCompare

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

SizeWheelDiameterDifference
195/45R1717"23.91"+0.1%Compare
205/30R1919"23.84"−0.1%Compare
215/35R1818"23.93"+0.2%Compare
185/75R1313"23.93"+0.2%Compare
245/25R1919"23.82"−0.2%Compare
225/45R1616"23.97"+0.4%Compare
195/65R1414"23.98"+0.4%Compare
215/40R1717"23.77"−0.4%Compare
155/80R1414"23.76"−0.5%Compare
215/65R1313"24.00"+0.5%Compare
245/35R1717"23.75"−0.5%Compare
195/70R1313"23.75"−0.5%Compare

One size up or down

Compare 205/55R15 with another size

With 215/55R15 tires, when your speedometer says 60 mph you are really going

61.1 mph

215/55R15 is +0.43 inches (+1.8%) in overall diameter. That is within the 3% most shops and makers allow.

205/55R15215/55R15Difference%
Overall diameter23.88"24.31"+0.43"+1.8%
Section width8.07"8.46"+0.39"+4.9%
Sidewall height4.44"4.66"+0.22"+4.9%
Circumference75.01"76.38"+1.36"+1.8%
Revolutions per mile844.6829.6−15.0−1.8%

Questions

How tall is a 205/55R15 tire?
A 205/55R15 tire is 23.9 inches tall (607 mm), calculated from the size. It is 8.1 inches wide with 4.4 inches sidewalls. Real tires vary by a few tenths of an inch between brands and tread patterns.
What does 205/55R15 mean?
205/55R15 means a tire 205 mm wide, with sidewalls 55% as tall as the tire is wide (113 mm), radial construction (R), for a 15 inch wheel.
How many revolutions per mile does a 205/55R15 tire make?
About 845 revolutions per mile, based on a circumference of 75.0 inches. Under load the tire flattens slightly, so the maker's published figure is usually a little higher.
What rim width fits a 205/55R15 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 225/50R15 instead of 205/55R15?
225/50R15 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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