CarSpecsHQ

235/50R17 vs 215/50R18

215/50R18 is a safe swap for 235/50R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.81%.

17" → 18"
235/50R17 26.25" · 215/50R18 26.46" · drawn to scale

Side by side

235/50R17215/50R18Difference
Overall diameter26.25"26.46"+0.21" (+0.81%)
Section width235 mm215 mm-20 mm
Sidewall4.63"4.23"-0.39"
Rim17"18"+1"
Circumference82.5"83.1"+0.7"
Revs per mile768762-6
Ride height——+0.11"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.5+0.5 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.5 mph

With 215/50R18 on a car calibrated for 235/50R17, the speedometer reads 59.5 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.8%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.2 mph
45 mph45.4 mph
60 mph60.5 mph
70 mph70.6 mph
80 mph80.6 mph

Other sizes close to 235/50R17

Questions

Can I replace 235/50R17 with 215/50R18?

215/50R18 is a safe swap for 235/50R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.81%.

What's the difference between 235/50R17 and 215/50R18?

215/50R18 is 0.21" taller and 20 mm narrower; the sidewall is -0.39". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.5 mph.

Will 215/50R18 fit on 235/50R17 wheels?

No — 235/50R17 needs a 17" wheel and 215/50R18 a 18" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.