CarSpecsHQ

205/40R18 vs 225/40R18

225/40R18 is a safe swap for 205/40R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.58%.

18" rim
205/40R18 24.46" · 225/40R18 25.09" · drawn to scale

Side by side

205/40R18225/40R18Difference
Overall diameter24.46"25.09"+0.63" (+2.58%)
Section width205 mm225 mm+20 mm
Sidewall3.23"3.54"+0.31"
Rim18"18"same
Circumference76.8"78.8"+2.0"
Revs per mile825804-21
Ride height——+0.31"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.5+1.5 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.5 mph

With 225/40R18 on a car calibrated for 205/40R18, the speedometer reads 58.5 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.6%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.8 mph
45 mph46.2 mph
60 mph61.5 mph
70 mph71.8 mph
80 mph82.1 mph

Other sizes close to 205/40R18

Questions

Can I replace 205/40R18 with 225/40R18?

225/40R18 is a safe swap for 205/40R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.58%.

What's the difference between 205/40R18 and 225/40R18?

225/40R18 is 0.63" taller and 20 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.31". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.5 mph.

Will 225/40R18 fit on 205/40R18 wheels?

Both use a 18" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 225 mm tire and the fender clearance.