CarSpecsHQ

245/50R18 vs 225/55R18

225/55R18 is a safe swap for 245/50R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.36%.

18" rim
245/50R18 27.65" · 225/55R18 27.74" · drawn to scale

Side by side

245/50R18225/55R18Difference
Overall diameter27.65"27.74"+0.10" (+0.36%)
Section width245 mm225 mm-20 mm
Sidewall4.82"4.87"+0.05"
Rim18"18"same
Circumference86.9"87.2"+0.3"
Revs per mile730727-3
Ride height——+0.05"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.2+0.2 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.2 mph

With 225/55R18 on a car calibrated for 245/50R18, the speedometer reads 59.8 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.4%.

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

Other sizes close to 245/50R18

Questions

Can I replace 245/50R18 with 225/55R18?

225/55R18 is a safe swap for 245/50R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.36%.

What's the difference between 245/50R18 and 225/55R18?

225/55R18 is 0.10" taller and 20 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.05". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.2 mph.

Will 225/55R18 fit on 245/50R18 wheels?

Both use a 18" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 225 mm tire and the fender clearance.