CarSpecsHQ

205/50R17 vs 225/40R18

225/40R18 is a safe swap for 205/50R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.06%.

17" → 18"
205/50R17 25.07" · 225/40R18 25.09" · drawn to scale

Side by side

205/50R17225/40R18Difference
Overall diameter25.07"25.09"+0.02" (+0.06%)
Section width205 mm225 mm+20 mm
Sidewall4.04"3.54"-0.49"
Rim17"18"+1"
Circumference78.8"78.8"+0.0"
Revs per mile804804-1
Ride height——+0.01"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.0+0.0 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.0 mph

With 225/40R18 on a car calibrated for 205/50R17, the speedometer reads 60.0 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.1%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.0 mph
45 mph45.0 mph
60 mph60.0 mph
70 mph70.0 mph
80 mph80.1 mph

Other sizes close to 205/50R17

Questions

Can I replace 205/50R17 with 225/40R18?

225/40R18 is a safe swap for 205/50R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.06%.

What's the difference between 205/50R17 and 225/40R18?

225/40R18 is 0.02" taller and 20 mm wider; the sidewall is -0.49". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.0 mph.

Will 225/40R18 fit on 205/50R17 wheels?

No — 205/50R17 needs a 17" wheel and 225/40R18 a 18" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.