CarSpecsHQ

235/55R17 vs 215/55R18

215/55R18 is a safe swap for 235/55R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.49%.

17" → 18"
235/55R17 27.18" · 215/55R18 27.31" · drawn to scale

Side by side

235/55R17215/55R18Difference
Overall diameter27.18"27.31"+0.13" (+0.49%)
Section width235 mm215 mm-20 mm
Sidewall5.09"4.66"-0.43"
Rim17"18"+1"
Circumference85.4"85.8"+0.4"
Revs per mile742738-4
Ride height——+0.07"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.3+0.3 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.3 mph

With 215/55R18 on a car calibrated for 235/55R17, the speedometer reads 59.7 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.5%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.1 mph
45 mph45.2 mph
60 mph60.3 mph
70 mph70.3 mph
80 mph80.4 mph

Other sizes close to 235/55R17

Questions

Can I replace 235/55R17 with 215/55R18?

215/55R18 is a safe swap for 235/55R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.49%.

What's the difference between 235/55R17 and 215/55R18?

215/55R18 is 0.13" taller and 20 mm narrower; the sidewall is -0.43". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.3 mph.

Will 215/55R18 fit on 235/55R17 wheels?

No — 235/55R17 needs a 17" wheel and 215/55R18 a 18" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.