CarSpecsHQ

255/35R18 vs 265/35R18

265/35R18 is a safe swap for 255/35R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.10%.

18" rim
255/35R18 25.03" · 265/35R18 25.30" · drawn to scale

Side by side

255/35R18265/35R18Difference
Overall diameter25.03"25.30"+0.28" (+1.10%)
Section width255 mm265 mm+10 mm
Sidewall3.51"3.65"+0.14"
Rim18"18"same
Circumference78.6"79.5"+0.9"
Revs per mile806797-9
Ride height——+0.14"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.7+0.7 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.7 mph

With 265/35R18 on a car calibrated for 255/35R18, the speedometer reads 59.3 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.1%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.3 mph
45 mph45.5 mph
60 mph60.7 mph
70 mph70.8 mph
80 mph80.9 mph

Other sizes close to 255/35R18

Questions

Can I replace 255/35R18 with 265/35R18?

265/35R18 is a safe swap for 255/35R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.10%.

What's the difference between 255/35R18 and 265/35R18?

265/35R18 is 0.28" taller and 10 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.14". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.7 mph.

Will 265/35R18 fit on 255/35R18 wheels?

Both use a 18" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 265 mm tire and the fender clearance.