CarSpecsHQ

255/35R18 vs 225/40R18

225/40R18 is a safe swap for 255/35R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.24%.

18" rim
255/35R18 25.03" · 225/40R18 25.09" · drawn to scale

Side by side

255/35R18225/40R18Difference
Overall diameter25.03"25.09"+0.06" (+0.24%)
Section width255 mm225 mm-30 mm
Sidewall3.51"3.54"+0.03"
Rim18"18"same
Circumference78.6"78.8"+0.2"
Revs per mile806804-2
Ride height——+0.03"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.1+0.1 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.1 mph

With 225/40R18 on a car calibrated for 255/35R18, the speedometer reads 59.9 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.2%.

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

Other sizes close to 255/35R18

Questions

Can I replace 255/35R18 with 225/40R18?

225/40R18 is a safe swap for 255/35R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.24%.

What's the difference between 255/35R18 and 225/40R18?

225/40R18 is 0.06" taller and 30 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.03". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.1 mph.

Will 225/40R18 fit on 255/35R18 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.