CarSpecsHQ

275/40R18 vs 225/50R18

225/50R18 is a safe swap for 275/40R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.74%.

18" rim
275/40R18 26.66" · 225/50R18 26.86" · drawn to scale

Side by side

275/40R18225/50R18Difference
Overall diameter26.66"26.86"+0.20" (+0.74%)
Section width275 mm225 mm-50 mm
Sidewall4.33"4.43"+0.10"
Rim18"18"same
Circumference83.8"84.4"+0.6"
Revs per mile756751-6
Ride height——+0.10"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.4+0.4 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.4 mph

With 225/50R18 on a car calibrated for 275/40R18, the speedometer reads 59.6 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.7%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.2 mph
45 mph45.3 mph
60 mph60.4 mph
70 mph70.5 mph
80 mph80.6 mph

Other sizes close to 275/40R18

Questions

Can I replace 275/40R18 with 225/50R18?

225/50R18 is a safe swap for 275/40R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.74%.

What's the difference between 275/40R18 and 225/50R18?

225/50R18 is 0.20" taller and 50 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.10". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.4 mph.

Will 225/50R18 fit on 275/40R18 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.