CarSpecsHQ

275/40R18 vs 235/50R18

235/50R18 is a safe swap for 275/40R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.22%.

18" rim
275/40R18 26.66" · 235/50R18 27.25" · drawn to scale

Side by side

275/40R18235/50R18Difference
Overall diameter26.66"27.25"+0.59" (+2.22%)
Section width275 mm235 mm-40 mm
Sidewall4.33"4.63"+0.30"
Rim18"18"same
Circumference83.8"85.6"+1.9"
Revs per mile756740-16
Ride height——+0.30"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.3+1.3 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.3 mph

With 235/50R18 on a car calibrated for 275/40R18, 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 mph71.6 mph
80 mph81.8 mph

Other sizes close to 275/40R18

Questions

Can I replace 275/40R18 with 235/50R18?

235/50R18 is a safe swap for 275/40R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.22%.

What's the difference between 275/40R18 and 235/50R18?

235/50R18 is 0.59" taller and 40 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.30". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.3 mph.

Will 235/50R18 fit on 275/40R18 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.