275/65R18 vs 255/65R18
New overall diameter
31.05″
was 32.07″
True speed at an indicated 60
58.1 mph
speedometer reads high
Revolutions per mile
650
was 629 · +21
Switching from 275/65R18 to 255/65R18? Everything that changes is below — sidewall, tread width, circumference, revolutions per mile and speedometer error at road speeds.
| Measurement | 275/65R18 | 255/65R18 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter | 32.07″ | 31.05″ | −1.02″ (−3.2%) |
| Sidewall height | 7.04″ (178.8 mm) | 6.53″ (165.8 mm) | −13.0 mm |
| Tread width | 275 mm | 255 mm | −20 mm |
| Circumference | 100.77″ | 97.55″ | −3.22″ |
| Revs per mile | 629 | 650 | +21 |
| Speedometer error | baseline | −3.2% | reads high |
Diameter overlay
275/65R18 255/65R18
Speedometer check
With 255/65R18 fitted, when the speedometer shows the indicated speed, your actual speed is:
25 mph shown
24.2 mph actual
35 mph shown
33.9 mph actual
45 mph shown
43.6 mph actual
55 mph shown
53.2 mph actual
65 mph shown
62.9 mph actual
75 mph shown
72.6 mph actual
Common questions
- Will 255/65R18 fit instead of 275/65R18?
- Marginal fit — proceed with care. The 3.2% 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 higher than your true speed. Overall diameter goes from 32.07″ to 31.05″, a change of −3.2%. 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 255/65R18?
- At an indicated 60 mph you would actually be travelling about 58.1 mph — a −3.2% error. The speedometer reads high, so you are going slower than it shows.
- What is the difference in revolutions per mile between 275/65R18 and 255/65R18?
- 275/65R18 turns roughly 629 revolutions per mile; 255/65R18 turns roughly 650. That is a change of +21 revolutions per mile, which is what shifts odometer and speedometer readings.