CarSpecsHQ

225/50R18 vs 265/45R18

265/45R18 is a safe swap for 225/50R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.98%.

18" rim
225/50R18 26.86" · 265/45R18 27.39" · drawn to scale

Side by side

225/50R18265/45R18Difference
Overall diameter26.86"27.39"+0.53" (+1.98%)
Section width225 mm265 mm+40 mm
Sidewall4.43"4.69"+0.27"
Rim18"18"same
Circumference84.4"86.0"+1.7"
Revs per mile751736-15
Ride height——+0.27"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.2+1.2 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.2 mph

With 265/45R18 on a car calibrated for 225/50R18, the speedometer reads 58.8 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.0%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.6 mph
45 mph45.9 mph
60 mph61.2 mph
70 mph71.4 mph
80 mph81.6 mph

Other sizes close to 225/50R18

Questions

Can I replace 225/50R18 with 265/45R18?

265/45R18 is a safe swap for 225/50R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.98%.

What's the difference between 225/50R18 and 265/45R18?

265/45R18 is 0.53" taller and 40 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.27". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.2 mph.

Will 265/45R18 fit on 225/50R18 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.