CarSpecsHQ

215/50R18 vs 275/40R18

275/40R18 is a safe swap for 215/50R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.74%.

18" rim
215/50R18 26.46" · 275/40R18 26.66" · drawn to scale

Side by side

215/50R18275/40R18Difference
Overall diameter26.46"26.66"+0.20" (+0.74%)
Section width215 mm275 mm+60 mm
Sidewall4.23"4.33"+0.10"
Rim18"18"same
Circumference83.1"83.8"+0.6"
Revs per mile762756-6
Ride height——+0.10"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.4+0.4 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.4 mph

With 275/40R18 on a car calibrated for 215/50R18, the speedometer reads 59.6 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.7%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.2 mph
45 mph45.3 mph
60 mph60.4 mph
70 mph70.5 mph
80 mph80.6 mph

Other sizes close to 215/50R18

Questions

Can I replace 215/50R18 with 275/40R18?

275/40R18 is a safe swap for 215/50R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.74%.

What's the difference between 215/50R18 and 275/40R18?

275/40R18 is 0.20" taller and 60 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.10". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.4 mph.

Will 275/40R18 fit on 215/50R18 wheels?

Both use a 18" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 275 mm tire and the fender clearance.