CarSpecsHQ

225/45R18 vs 215/50R18

215/50R18 is a safe swap for 225/45R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.89%.

18" rim
225/45R18 25.97" · 215/50R18 26.46" · drawn to scale

Side by side

225/45R18215/50R18Difference
Overall diameter25.97"26.46"+0.49" (+1.89%)
Section width225 mm215 mm-10 mm
Sidewall3.99"4.23"+0.25"
Rim18"18"same
Circumference81.6"83.1"+1.5"
Revs per mile777762-14
Ride height——+0.25"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.1+1.1 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.1 mph

With 215/50R18 on a car calibrated for 225/45R18, the speedometer reads 58.9 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.9%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.6 mph
45 mph45.9 mph
60 mph61.1 mph
70 mph71.3 mph
80 mph81.5 mph

Other sizes close to 225/45R18

Questions

Can I replace 225/45R18 with 215/50R18?

215/50R18 is a safe swap for 225/45R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.89%.

What's the difference between 225/45R18 and 215/50R18?

215/50R18 is 0.49" taller and 10 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.25". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.1 mph.

Will 215/50R18 fit on 225/45R18 wheels?

Both use a 18" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 215 mm tire and the fender clearance.