255/55R18 vs 245/65R18
New overall diameter
30.54″
was 29.04″
True speed at an indicated 60
63.1 mph
speedometer reads low
Revolutions per mile
660
was 694 · −34
Switching from 255/55R18 to 245/65R18? Everything that changes is below — sidewall, tread width, circumference, revolutions per mile and speedometer error at road speeds.
| Measurement | 255/55R18 | 245/65R18 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter | 29.04″ | 30.54″ | +1.50″ (+5.2%) |
| Sidewall height | 5.52″ (140.3 mm) | 6.27″ (159.3 mm) | +19.0 mm |
| Tread width | 255 mm | 245 mm | −10 mm |
| Circumference | 91.24″ | 95.94″ | +4.70″ |
| Revs per mile | 694 | 660 | −34 |
| Speedometer error | baseline | +5.2% | reads low |
Diameter overlay
255/55R18 245/65R18
Speedometer check
With 245/65R18 fitted, when the speedometer shows the indicated speed, your actual speed is:
25 mph shown
26.3 mph actual
35 mph shown
36.8 mph actual
45 mph shown
47.3 mph actual
55 mph shown
57.8 mph actual
65 mph shown
68.3 mph actual
75 mph shown
78.9 mph actual
Common questions
- Will 245/65R18 fit instead of 255/55R18?
- Not recommended. A 5.2% diameter change exceeds the 5% rule. Expect significant speedometer error, potential clearance and rubbing issues, and stress on ABS, stability control and drivetrain components. Your speedometer will read lower than your true speed. Overall diameter goes from 29.04″ to 30.54″, a change of +5.2%. 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 245/65R18?
- At an indicated 60 mph you would actually be travelling about 63.1 mph — a +5.2% error. The speedometer reads low, so you are going faster than it shows.
- What is the difference in revolutions per mile between 255/55R18 and 245/65R18?
- 255/55R18 turns roughly 694 revolutions per mile; 245/65R18 turns roughly 660. That is a change of −34 revolutions per mile, which is what shifts odometer and speedometer readings.