CarSpecsHQ

235/55R17 vs 235/50R18

235/50R18 is a safe swap for 235/55R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.28%.

17" → 18"
235/55R17 27.18" · 235/50R18 27.25" · drawn to scale

Side by side

235/55R17235/50R18Difference
Overall diameter27.18"27.25"+0.07" (+0.28%)
Section width235 mm235 mm0 mm
Sidewall5.09"4.63"-0.46"
Rim17"18"+1"
Circumference85.4"85.6"+0.2"
Revs per mile742740-2
Ride height——+0.04"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.2+0.2 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.2 mph

With 235/50R18 on a car calibrated for 235/55R17, the speedometer reads 59.8 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.3%.

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

Other sizes close to 235/55R17

Questions

Can I replace 235/55R17 with 235/50R18?

235/50R18 is a safe swap for 235/55R17 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.28%.

What's the difference between 235/55R17 and 235/50R18?

235/50R18 is 0.07" taller and 0 mm wider; the sidewall is -0.46". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.2 mph.

Will 235/50R18 fit on 235/55R17 wheels?

No — 235/55R17 needs a 17" wheel and 235/50R18 a 18" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.