CarSpecsHQ

285/35R18 vs 215/50R18

215/50R18 is a safe swap for 285/35R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.36%.

18" rim
285/35R18 25.85" · 215/50R18 26.46" · drawn to scale

Side by side

285/35R18215/50R18Difference
Overall diameter25.85"26.46"+0.61" (+2.36%)
Section width285 mm215 mm-70 mm
Sidewall3.93"4.23"+0.31"
Rim18"18"same
Circumference81.2"83.1"+1.9"
Revs per mile780762-18
Ride height——+0.31"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.4+1.4 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.4 mph

With 215/50R18 on a car calibrated for 285/35R18, the speedometer reads 58.6 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.4%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.7 mph
45 mph46.1 mph
60 mph61.4 mph
70 mph71.7 mph
80 mph81.9 mph

Other sizes close to 285/35R18

Questions

Can I replace 285/35R18 with 215/50R18?

215/50R18 is a safe swap for 285/35R18 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.36%.

What's the difference between 285/35R18 and 215/50R18?

215/50R18 is 0.61" taller and 70 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.31". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.4 mph.

Will 215/50R18 fit on 285/35R18 wheels?

Both use a 18" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 215 mm tire and the fender clearance.