CarSpecsHQ

235/50R18 vs 275/45R18

275/45R18 is a safe swap for 235/50R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.81%.

18" rim
235/50R18 27.25" · 275/45R18 27.74" · drawn to scale

Side by side

235/50R18275/45R18Difference
Overall diameter27.25"27.74"+0.49" (+1.81%)
Section width235 mm275 mm+40 mm
Sidewall4.63"4.87"+0.25"
Rim18"18"same
Circumference85.6"87.2"+1.5"
Revs per mile740727-13
Ride height——+0.25"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.1+1.1 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.1 mph

With 275/45R18 on a car calibrated for 235/50R18, the speedometer reads 58.9 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.8%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.5 mph
45 mph45.8 mph
60 mph61.1 mph
70 mph71.3 mph
80 mph81.4 mph

Other sizes close to 235/50R18

Questions

Can I replace 235/50R18 with 275/45R18?

275/45R18 is a safe swap for 235/50R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.81%.

What's the difference between 235/50R18 and 275/45R18?

275/45R18 is 0.49" taller and 40 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.25". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.1 mph.

Will 275/45R18 fit on 235/50R18 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.