195/50R16 vs 185/55R16
New overall diameter
24.01″
was 23.68″
True speed at an indicated 60
60.8 mph
your speedo reads low
Revolutions per mile
840
was 852, −12
| Measurement | 195/50R16 | 185/55R16 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter | 23.68″ | 24.01″ | +0.33″ (+1.4%) |
| Sidewall height | 3.84″ (97.5 mm) | 4.01″ (101.8 mm) | +4.3 mm |
| Tread width | 195 mm | 185 mm | −10 mm |
| Circumference | 74.38″ | 75.44″ | +1.05″ |
| Revs per mile | 852 | 840 | −12 |
| Speedometer error | baseline | +1.4% | reads low |
Diameter overlay
195/50R16 185/55R16
Speedometer check
With 185/55R16 fitted, when the speedometer shows the indicated speed, your actual speed is:
25 mph shown
25.4 mph actual
35 mph shown
35.5 mph actual
45 mph shown
45.6 mph actual
55 mph shown
55.8 mph actual
65 mph shown
65.9 mph actual
75 mph shown
76.1 mph actual
Common questions
- Will 185/55R16 fit instead of 195/50R16?
- Diameter moves 1.4%, comfortably inside the 3% rule. Your speedometer, ABS, traction control and gearing all stay in the range they were calibrated for. Your speedometer will read low, so you are going faster than it says. Overall diameter goes from 23.68″ to 24.01″, a change of +1.4%. The rule of thumb most shops use: under 3% is fine, 3 to 5% needs a clearance check, over 5% needs recalibration.
- How far off will my speedometer read on 185/55R16?
- At an indicated 60 mph you are really doing about 60.8 mph, a +1.4% error. The speedometer reads low, so you are going faster than it shows.
- What is the difference in revolutions per mile between 195/50R16 and 185/55R16?
- 195/50R16 turns about 852 times per mile and 185/55R16 turns about 840, a difference of −12. Your speedometer and odometer both count rotations, so this number is what throws them off.