CarSpecsHQ

255/35R18 vs 275/35R18

275/35R18 is a safe swap for 255/35R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.20%.

18" rim
255/35R18 25.03" · 275/35R18 25.58" · drawn to scale

Side by side

255/35R18275/35R18Difference
Overall diameter25.03"25.58"+0.55" (+2.20%)
Section width255 mm275 mm+20 mm
Sidewall3.51"3.79"+0.28"
Rim18"18"same
Circumference78.6"80.4"+1.7"
Revs per mile806788-17
Ride height——+0.28"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.3+1.3 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.3 mph

With 275/35R18 on a car calibrated for 255/35R18, the speedometer reads 58.7 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.2%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.7 mph
45 mph46.0 mph
60 mph61.3 mph
70 mph71.5 mph
80 mph81.8 mph

Other sizes close to 255/35R18

Questions

Can I replace 255/35R18 with 275/35R18?

275/35R18 is a safe swap for 255/35R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.20%.

What's the difference between 255/35R18 and 275/35R18?

275/35R18 is 0.55" taller and 20 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.28". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.3 mph.

Will 275/35R18 fit on 255/35R18 wheels?

Both use a 18" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 275 mm tire and the fender clearance.