TireSizeCheck

255/45R19 vs 235/45R19

Fit verdict

Good fit

Diameter change

−2.5%

Within the 3% rule — overall diameter changes only 2.5%. Speedometer calibration, ABS, traction control and gearing all stay in their intended range. Your speedometer will read higher than your true speed.

New overall diameter

27.33″

was 28.04″

True speed at an indicated 60

58.5 mph

speedometer reads high

Revolutions per mile

738

was 719 · +19

Switching from 255/45R19 to 235/45R19? Everything that changes is below — sidewall, tread width, circumference, revolutions per mile and speedometer error at road speeds.

Measurement 255/45R19 235/45R19 Change
Overall diameter 28.04″ 27.33″ −0.71″ (−2.5%)
Sidewall height 4.52″ (114.8 mm) 4.16″ (105.8 mm) −9.0 mm
Tread width 255 mm 235 mm −20 mm
Circumference 88.08″ 85.85″ −2.23″
Revs per mile 719 738 +19
Speedometer error baseline −2.5% reads high

Diameter overlay

255/45R19 235/45R19

Speedometer check

With 235/45R19 fitted, when the speedometer shows the indicated speed, your actual speed is:

25 mph shown

24.4 mph actual

35 mph shown

34.1 mph actual

45 mph shown

43.9 mph actual

55 mph shown

53.6 mph actual

65 mph shown

63.4 mph actual

75 mph shown

73.1 mph actual

Common questions

Will 235/45R19 fit instead of 255/45R19?
Good fit. Within the 3% rule — overall diameter changes only 2.5%. Speedometer calibration, ABS, traction control and gearing all stay in their intended range. Your speedometer will read higher than your true speed. Overall diameter goes from 28.04″ to 27.33″, a change of −2.5%. 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 235/45R19?
At an indicated 60 mph you would actually be travelling about 58.5 mph — a −2.5% error. The speedometer reads high, so you are going slower than it shows.
What is the difference in revolutions per mile between 255/45R19 and 235/45R19?
255/45R19 turns roughly 719 revolutions per mile; 235/45R19 turns roughly 738. That is a change of +19 revolutions per mile, which is what shifts odometer and speedometer readings.