CarSpecsHQ

275/60R18 vs 255/70R17

255/70R17 is a safe swap for 275/60R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.20%.

18" → 17"
275/60R18 30.99" · 255/70R17 31.06" · drawn to scale

Side by side

275/60R18255/70R17Difference
Overall diameter30.99"31.06"+0.06" (+0.20%)
Section width275 mm255 mm-20 mm
Sidewall6.50"7.03"+0.53"
Rim18"17"-1"
Circumference97.4"97.6"+0.2"
Revs per mile651649-1
Ride height——+0.03"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.1+0.1 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.1 mph

With 255/70R17 on a car calibrated for 275/60R18, the speedometer reads 59.9 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.2%.

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

Other sizes close to 275/60R18

Questions

Can I replace 275/60R18 with 255/70R17?

255/70R17 is a safe swap for 275/60R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.20%.

What's the difference between 275/60R18 and 255/70R17?

255/70R17 is 0.06" taller and 20 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.53". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.1 mph.

Will 255/70R17 fit on 275/60R18 wheels?

No — 275/60R18 needs a 18" wheel and 255/70R17 a 17" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.