205/55 R16 Tyres Explained

205/55 R16 is one of the most common tyre sizes in the UK. Used by a wide range of different types of cars. The numbers break down the different dimensions of the tyre. 205 tells us the tread width in millimetres. 55 is the aspect ratio, so the sidewall height is 55% of 205mm (about 112.8mm). And the last section, R16, means the tyre fits a 16 inch wheel. You'll see this size often on hatchbacks, small saloons and compact crossovers. Cars designed for commuting, motorway use and even light loads. This size is offered by premium tyre brands that include Michelin, Continental, and Bridgestone. mid range brands that make models in this size include Hankook, Kumho, Yokohama and Falken. And finally there are budget options from the likes of Wanli, Tomket, Mazzini and Royal Black. Popular tyre choices here include the Michelin CrossClimate 3 and the Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 in 205/55 R16. To confirm it's right for your car, check the tyre sidewall, the driver's door sticker or your vehicle handbook. You can also enter your registration for exact matches.

The numbers 205/55 R16 are 3 very important pieces of information in regards to a tyre's size. They tell you the width, profile and diameter of a tyre. For a tyre that is 205/55 R16 this information can be broken down into the following: 205 - the width in millimetres of the tyre. In this case 205mm wide. 55 - the height of the sidewall as a percentage of the width. For this tyre that is 55% R16 - the diameter, in inches, of the tyre's inner rim. Letting you know what size of wheel this tyre should be fitted to. For this size, that is a 16 inch wheel

There is no standard recommended tyre pressure for 205/55 R16 tyres, as each vehicle manufacturer will recommend their own optimal tyre pressure so you can enjoy the best performance from your vehicle. If you are unsure as to the correct tyre pressure for your 205/55 R16 tyres, there are a few different places you can look to find this information. Vehicle handbook - There is a section in most manufacturer handbooks which covers all the technical details for a tyre. This includes the tyre size, load rating, speed rating and tyre pressure. Tyre label - The tyre label is often found on the door jamb of the driver’s side. It is a small rectangular sticker which contains the information you need to know in regards to tyre pressure and tyre sizes. It should also tell you the tyre pressure recommendation

The height of your tyre's sidewall for the tyre size 205/55 R16 can be worked out by using the tyre's profile size. For the tyre size, the profile is 55. What this tells us is that the sidewall height is 55% of the cross-section width of the tyre. The sidewall height is determined by the distance between the rim line and the tread line. So, as this tyre has a cross-section width of 205mm, the height of the sidewall is 55% of 205 – which is 112.75mm.