CarSpecsHQ

255/45R18 vs 215/55R18

215/55R18 is a safe swap for 255/45R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.02%.

18" rim
255/45R18 27.04" · 215/55R18 27.31" · drawn to scale

Side by side

255/45R18215/55R18Difference
Overall diameter27.04"27.31"+0.28" (+1.02%)
Section width255 mm215 mm-40 mm
Sidewall4.52"4.66"+0.14"
Rim18"18"same
Circumference84.9"85.8"+0.9"
Revs per mile746738-8
Ride height——+0.14"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.6+0.6 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.6 mph

With 215/55R18 on a car calibrated for 255/45R18, the speedometer reads 59.4 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.0%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.3 mph
45 mph45.5 mph
60 mph60.6 mph
70 mph70.7 mph
80 mph80.8 mph

Other sizes close to 255/45R18

Questions

Can I replace 255/45R18 with 215/55R18?

215/55R18 is a safe swap for 255/45R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.02%.

What's the difference between 255/45R18 and 215/55R18?

215/55R18 is 0.28" taller and 40 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.14". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.6 mph.

Will 215/55R18 fit on 255/45R18 wheels?

Both use a 18" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 215 mm tire and the fender clearance.