225/40R18 vs 255/40R18
New overall diameter
26.03″
was 25.09″
True speed at an indicated 60
62.3 mph
speedometer reads low
Revolutions per mile
775
was 804 · −29
Switching from 225/40R18 to 255/40R18? Everything that changes is below — sidewall, tread width, circumference, revolutions per mile and speedometer error at road speeds.
| Measurement | 225/40R18 | 255/40R18 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter | 25.09″ | 26.03″ | +0.94″ (+3.8%) |
| Sidewall height | 3.54″ (90.0 mm) | 4.02″ (102.0 mm) | +12.0 mm |
| Tread width | 225 mm | 255 mm | +30 mm |
| Circumference | 78.81″ | 81.78″ | +2.97″ |
| Revs per mile | 804 | 775 | −29 |
| Speedometer error | baseline | +3.8% | reads low |
Diameter overlay
225/40R18 255/40R18
Speedometer check
With 255/40R18 fitted, when the speedometer shows the indicated speed, your actual speed is:
25 mph shown
25.9 mph actual
35 mph shown
36.3 mph actual
45 mph shown
46.7 mph actual
55 mph shown
57.1 mph actual
65 mph shown
67.4 mph actual
75 mph shown
77.8 mph actual
Common questions
- Will 255/40R18 fit instead of 225/40R18?
- Marginal fit — proceed with care. The 3.8% diameter change is between 3% and 5%. It can work, but expect noticeable speedometer error and check wheel-well clearance, scrub radius and gearing before committing. Your speedometer will read lower than your true speed. Overall diameter goes from 25.09″ to 26.03″, a change of +3.8%. As a rule of thumb, under 3% is safe, 3–5% needs a clearance check, and over 5% is not recommended.
- How far off will my speedometer read on 255/40R18?
- At an indicated 60 mph you would actually be travelling about 62.3 mph — a +3.8% error. The speedometer reads low, so you are going faster than it shows.
- What is the difference in revolutions per mile between 225/40R18 and 255/40R18?
- 225/40R18 turns roughly 804 revolutions per mile; 255/40R18 turns roughly 775. That is a change of −29 revolutions per mile, which is what shifts odometer and speedometer readings.