CarSpecsHQ

275/40R18 vs 265/45R18

265/45R18 is a safe swap for 275/40R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.73%.

18" rim
275/40R18 26.66" · 265/45R18 27.39" · drawn to scale

Side by side

275/40R18265/45R18Difference
Overall diameter26.66"27.39"+0.73" (+2.73%)
Section width275 mm265 mm-10 mm
Sidewall4.33"4.69"+0.36"
Rim18"18"same
Circumference83.8"86.0"+2.3"
Revs per mile756736-20
Ride height——+0.36"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.6+1.6 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.6 mph

With 265/45R18 on a car calibrated for 275/40R18, the speedometer reads 58.4 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.7%.

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

Other sizes close to 275/40R18

Questions

Can I replace 275/40R18 with 265/45R18?

265/45R18 is a safe swap for 275/40R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.73%.

What's the difference between 275/40R18 and 265/45R18?

265/45R18 is 0.73" taller and 10 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.36". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.6 mph.

Will 265/45R18 fit on 275/40R18 wheels?

Both use a 18" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 265 mm tire and the fender clearance.