CarSpecsHQ

225/45R18 vs 265/40R18

265/40R18 is a safe swap for 225/45R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.44%.

18" rim
225/45R18 25.97" · 265/40R18 26.35" · drawn to scale

Side by side

225/45R18265/40R18Difference
Overall diameter25.97"26.35"+0.37" (+1.44%)
Section width225 mm265 mm+40 mm
Sidewall3.99"4.17"+0.19"
Rim18"18"same
Circumference81.6"82.8"+1.2"
Revs per mile777765-11
Ride height——+0.19"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.9+0.9 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.9 mph

With 265/40R18 on a car calibrated for 225/45R18, the speedometer reads 59.1 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.4%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.4 mph
45 mph45.6 mph
60 mph60.9 mph
70 mph71.0 mph
80 mph81.2 mph

Other sizes close to 225/45R18

Questions

Can I replace 225/45R18 with 265/40R18?

265/40R18 is a safe swap for 225/45R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.44%.

What's the difference between 225/45R18 and 265/40R18?

265/40R18 is 0.37" taller and 40 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.19". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.9 mph.

Will 265/40R18 fit on 225/45R18 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.