CarSpecsHQ

265/35R18 vs 225/45R18

225/45R18 is a safe swap for 265/35R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.65%.

18" rim
265/35R18 25.30" · 225/45R18 25.97" · drawn to scale

Side by side

265/35R18225/45R18Difference
Overall diameter25.30"25.97"+0.67" (+2.65%)
Section width265 mm225 mm-40 mm
Sidewall3.65"3.99"+0.33"
Rim18"18"same
Circumference79.5"81.6"+2.1"
Revs per mile797777-21
Ride height——+0.33"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.6+1.6 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.6 mph

With 225/45R18 on a car calibrated for 265/35R18, the speedometer reads 58.5 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.6%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.8 mph
45 mph46.2 mph
60 mph61.6 mph
70 mph71.9 mph
80 mph82.1 mph

Other sizes close to 265/35R18

Questions

Can I replace 265/35R18 with 225/45R18?

225/45R18 is a safe swap for 265/35R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.65%.

What's the difference between 265/35R18 and 225/45R18?

225/45R18 is 0.67" taller and 40 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.33". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.6 mph.

Will 225/45R18 fit on 265/35R18 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.