205 50 R16 Tyres
205 50 R16 is a size our fitters associate with sharper-handling hatchbacks and small sports cars, where a shorter sidewall on a 16-inch rim gives quicker steering response. You can find the correct tyre sizes for your vehicle from the user's manual, but it is always a good idea to check your current tyres for yourself.
We list 205 50 R16 tyres against cars including the Vauxhall Astra, the Mazda MX-5 and the Volvo V40. Brands producing the size include Michelin and Hankook, alongside economy and mid-range options.
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Reading the 205/50R16 code on your sidewall
Somewhere along the diameter of the tyre are stamped letters and numbers that will look something like this: 205 50R16 91V.
Some manufacturers put the letters in a slightly different order, but the 205 50R16 is the part that tells you the physical dimensions of the tyre. In this case, "205" tells you the tyre is 205mm wide, "50" is the height of the rubber expressed as a percentage of its width (so 50% of 205 will be 102.5mm), and "16" is the diameter of the rims in inches. A letter "R" will indicate that the tread pattern is radial.
What the load and speed rating on a 205 50 16 tyre means
Additional letters, such as "91V", tell you about the load rating and speed rating of those tyres. Your speed rating (in this example a "V") is the maximum speed at which you can safely drive on those tyres. In practice, you should never reach this speed, so always buy tyres rated for a higher speed than your vehicle will ever reach. The number (for example, "91") tells you how much load you can place on them, so bear in mind both the weight of the vehicle and the loads you are likely to carry in it.
The rating your car needs is on the plate inside the driver's door or in the handbook, and it is not optional: fitting below it can invalidate your insurance. Our fitters check this against your registration before anything goes on the car. The other figures worth comparing are on the tyre label, which grades fuel efficiency, wet grip and noise on a standard scale.
Tread depth does the rest of the work. UK tyre law puts the minimum at 1.6mm across the central three quarters, and the penalty applies per tyre. Book a free tyre check at your nearest garage and we will measure it with you, or read more in our help and advice section.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends where in the range you buy. Economy options are the cheapest route to a legal, fully tested tyre. Mid-range tends to be the value sweet spot for everyday driving, and premium buys you shorter wet braking and longer mileage. Every price we quote includes VAT, fitting, a new valve and balancing, so the figure on screen is the figure you pay.
Yes. The sidewall marking is 205/50 R16, but the same size gets typed as 205/50r16, as 205/50/16 with the R dropped, and occasionally as 205/50 x 16 tyres in older catalogues. They all describe one tyre: 205mm wide, a sidewall half that width, on a 16-inch rim. Order by whichever form you have and we will match it.
This size is unusual in that the range stretches across all four main types, so the question is really which problem you are solving. If it is puncture confidence on a car without a spare, 205/50 R16 run flat tyres carry the vehicle's weight after a puncture so you can drive a short distance to get it replaced. If it is cold-weather traction, 205/50 R16 winter tyres use a softer compound and deeper tread to grip and brake on snow, ice and wet below roughly 5 to 7°C. If it is dry-road efficiency and feel, 205/50 R16 summer tyres keep the compound hard, the rolling resistance low and the steering crisp above that temperature. And if it is simply not wanting to think about it twice a year, 205/50 R16 all season tyres split the difference and stay on the car. Availability moves with the season, so confirm through the search tool or with your local garage.