CarSpecsHQ

215/45R18 vs 265/40R18

265/40R18 is a safe swap for 215/45R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.84%.

18" rim
215/45R18 25.62" · 265/40R18 26.35" · drawn to scale

Side by side

215/45R18265/40R18Difference
Overall diameter25.62"26.35"+0.73" (+2.84%)
Section width215 mm265 mm+50 mm
Sidewall3.81"4.17"+0.36"
Rim18"18"same
Circumference80.5"82.8"+2.3"
Revs per mile787765-22
Ride height——+0.36"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.7+1.7 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.7 mph

With 265/40R18 on a car calibrated for 215/45R18, the speedometer reads 58.3 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.8%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.9 mph
45 mph46.3 mph
60 mph61.7 mph
70 mph72.0 mph
80 mph82.3 mph

Other sizes close to 215/45R18

Questions

Can I replace 215/45R18 with 265/40R18?

265/40R18 is a safe swap for 215/45R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.84%.

What's the difference between 215/45R18 and 265/40R18?

265/40R18 is 0.73" taller and 50 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.36". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.7 mph.

Will 265/40R18 fit on 215/45R18 wheels?

Both use a 18" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 265 mm tire and the fender clearance.