TireSizeCheck

225/60R18 vs 255/60R18

Fit verdict

Borderline. Check clearance first

Diameter change

+5.0%

At 5.0% this lands between the 3% and 5% marks. Plenty of people run swaps like this, but you will see real speedometer error, and you want to check the wheel well at full lock and full compression before you buy. Your speedometer will read low, so you are going faster than it says.

New overall diameter

30.05″

was 28.63″

True speed at an indicated 60

63.0 mph

your speedo reads low

Revolutions per mile

671

was 704, −33

Measurement 225/60R18 255/60R18 Change
Overall diameter 28.63″ 30.05″ +1.42″ (+5.0%)
Sidewall height 5.31″ (135.0 mm) 6.02″ (153.0 mm) +18.0 mm
Tread width 225 mm 255 mm +30 mm
Circumference 89.94″ 94.40″ +4.45″
Revs per mile 704 671 −33
Speedometer error baseline +5.0% reads low

Diameter overlay

225/60R18 255/60R18

Speedometer check

With 255/60R18 fitted, when the speedometer shows the indicated speed, your actual speed is:

25 mph shown

26.2 mph actual

35 mph shown

36.7 mph actual

45 mph shown

47.2 mph actual

55 mph shown

57.7 mph actual

65 mph shown

68.2 mph actual

75 mph shown

78.7 mph actual

Common questions

Will 255/60R18 fit instead of 225/60R18?
At 5.0% this lands between the 3% and 5% marks. Plenty of people run swaps like this, but you will see real speedometer error, and you want to check the wheel well at full lock and full compression before you buy. Your speedometer will read low, so you are going faster than it says. Overall diameter goes from 28.63″ to 30.05″, a change of +5.0%. The rule of thumb most shops use: under 3% is fine, 3 to 5% needs a clearance check, over 5% needs recalibration.
How far off will my speedometer read on 255/60R18?
At an indicated 60 mph you are really doing about 63.0 mph, a +5.0% error. The speedometer reads low, so you are going faster than it shows.
What is the difference in revolutions per mile between 225/60R18 and 255/60R18?
225/60R18 turns about 704 times per mile and 255/60R18 turns about 671, a difference of −33. Your speedometer and odometer both count rotations, so this number is what throws them off.