CarSpecsHQ

225/45R18 vs 275/40R18

275/40R18 is a safe swap for 225/45R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.65%.

18" rim
225/45R18 25.97" · 275/40R18 26.66" · drawn to scale

Side by side

225/45R18275/40R18Difference
Overall diameter25.97"26.66"+0.69" (+2.65%)
Section width225 mm275 mm+50 mm
Sidewall3.99"4.33"+0.34"
Rim18"18"same
Circumference81.6"83.8"+2.2"
Revs per mile777756-20
Ride height——+0.34"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.6+1.6 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.6 mph

With 275/40R18 on a car calibrated for 225/45R18, the speedometer reads 58.4 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.7%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.8 mph
45 mph46.2 mph
60 mph61.6 mph
70 mph71.9 mph
80 mph82.1 mph

Other sizes close to 225/45R18

Questions

Can I replace 225/45R18 with 275/40R18?

275/40R18 is a safe swap for 225/45R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.65%.

What's the difference between 225/45R18 and 275/40R18?

275/40R18 is 0.69" taller and 50 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.34". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.6 mph.

Will 275/40R18 fit on 225/45R18 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.