CarSpecsHQ

265/35R18 vs 235/40R18

235/40R18 is a safe swap for 265/35R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.39%.

18" rim
265/35R18 25.30" · 235/40R18 25.40" · drawn to scale

Side by side

265/35R18235/40R18Difference
Overall diameter25.30"25.40"+0.10" (+0.39%)
Section width265 mm235 mm-30 mm
Sidewall3.65"3.70"+0.05"
Rim18"18"same
Circumference79.5"79.8"+0.3"
Revs per mile797794-3
Ride height——+0.05"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.2+0.2 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.2 mph

With 235/40R18 on a car calibrated for 265/35R18, the speedometer reads 59.8 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.4%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.1 mph
45 mph45.2 mph
60 mph60.2 mph
70 mph70.3 mph
80 mph80.3 mph

Other sizes close to 265/35R18

Questions

Can I replace 265/35R18 with 235/40R18?

235/40R18 is a safe swap for 265/35R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.39%.

What's the difference between 265/35R18 and 235/40R18?

235/40R18 is 0.10" taller and 30 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.05". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.2 mph.

Will 235/40R18 fit on 265/35R18 wheels?

Both use a 18" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 235 mm tire and the fender clearance.