CarSpecsHQ

215/60R17 vs 265/45R18

265/45R18 is a safe swap for 215/60R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.86%.

17" → 18"
215/60R17 27.16" · 265/45R18 27.39" · drawn to scale

Side by side

215/60R17265/45R18Difference
Overall diameter27.16"27.39"+0.23" (+0.86%)
Section width215 mm265 mm+50 mm
Sidewall5.08"4.69"-0.38"
Rim17"18"+1"
Circumference85.3"86.0"+0.7"
Revs per mile743736-6
Ride height——+0.12"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.5+0.5 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.5 mph

With 265/45R18 on a car calibrated for 215/60R17, the speedometer reads 59.5 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.9%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.3 mph
45 mph45.4 mph
60 mph60.5 mph
70 mph70.6 mph
80 mph80.7 mph

Other sizes close to 215/60R17

Questions

Can I replace 215/60R17 with 265/45R18?

265/45R18 is a safe swap for 215/60R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.86%.

What's the difference between 215/60R17 and 265/45R18?

265/45R18 is 0.23" taller and 50 mm wider; the sidewall is -0.38". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.5 mph.

Will 265/45R18 fit on 215/60R17 wheels?

No — 215/60R17 needs a 17" wheel and 265/45R18 a 18" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.