Guides · Tyres · 3 min read
205/55 R16: how to read your tyre size in thirty seconds
The three numbers on the side of your tyre are all you need to price new ones. Here is what each one means and where else to find them.
By the Fernley Garage workshop ·
Every car tyre carries its size on the sidewall in the same format. Take 205/55 R16 as an example.
Width: 205
The width of the tyre in millimetres, wall to wall. Most family hatchbacks sit between 195 and 225.
Profile: 55
The height of the sidewall as a percentage of the width. A 55 profile on a 205 tyre is about 113 mm tall. Lower numbers mean a shorter sidewall, a firmer ride and usually a higher price.
Rim: R16
The wheel diameter in inches. The R means radial construction, which is every car tyre made today.
Where else to find it
On a sticker inside the driver’s door frame, in the handbook, and on your last tyre invoice. If your front and rear sizes differ, the sticker shows both.
Then price it
Put the three numbers into our tyre finder and you get a fitted price in three tiers, with fitting, a new valve, balancing and disposal included.
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