CarSpecsHQ

205/40R18 vs 215/40R18

215/40R18 is a safe swap for 205/40R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.29%.

18" rim
205/40R18 24.46" · 215/40R18 24.77" · drawn to scale

Side by side

205/40R18215/40R18Difference
Overall diameter24.46"24.77"+0.31" (+1.29%)
Section width205 mm215 mm+10 mm
Sidewall3.23"3.39"+0.16"
Rim18"18"same
Circumference76.8"77.8"+1.0"
Revs per mile825814-10
Ride height——+0.16"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.8+0.8 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.8 mph

With 215/40R18 on a car calibrated for 205/40R18, the speedometer reads 59.2 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.3%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.4 mph
45 mph45.6 mph
60 mph60.8 mph
70 mph70.9 mph
80 mph81.0 mph

Other sizes close to 205/40R18

Questions

Can I replace 205/40R18 with 215/40R18?

215/40R18 is a safe swap for 205/40R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.29%.

What's the difference between 205/40R18 and 215/40R18?

215/40R18 is 0.31" taller and 10 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.16". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.8 mph.

Will 215/40R18 fit on 205/40R18 wheels?

Both use a 18" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 215 mm tire and the fender clearance.