CarSpecsHQ

225/45R18 vs 255/45R17

255/45R17 is a safe swap for 225/45R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.24%.

18" → 17"
225/45R18 25.97" · 255/45R17 26.04" · drawn to scale

Side by side

225/45R18255/45R17Difference
Overall diameter25.97"26.04"+0.06" (+0.24%)
Section width225 mm255 mm+30 mm
Sidewall3.99"4.52"+0.53"
Rim18"17"-1"
Circumference81.6"81.8"+0.2"
Revs per mile777775-2
Ride height——+0.03"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.1+0.1 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.1 mph

With 255/45R17 on a car calibrated for 225/45R18, the speedometer reads 59.9 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.2%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.1 mph
45 mph45.1 mph
60 mph60.1 mph
70 mph70.2 mph
80 mph80.2 mph

Other sizes close to 225/45R18

Questions

Can I replace 225/45R18 with 255/45R17?

255/45R17 is a safe swap for 225/45R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.24%.

What's the difference between 225/45R18 and 255/45R17?

255/45R17 is 0.06" taller and 30 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.53". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.1 mph.

Will 255/45R17 fit on 225/45R18 wheels?

No — 225/45R18 needs a 18" wheel and 255/45R17 a 17" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.