235/65R18 vs 265/65R18
New overall diameter
31.56″
was 30.03″
True speed at an indicated 60
63.1 mph
your speedo reads low
Revolutions per mile
639
was 672, −33
| Measurement | 235/65R18 | 265/65R18 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter | 30.03″ | 31.56″ | +1.54″ (+5.1%) |
| Sidewall height | 6.01″ (152.8 mm) | 6.78″ (172.3 mm) | +19.5 mm |
| Tread width | 235 mm | 265 mm | +30 mm |
| Circumference | 94.33″ | 99.16″ | +4.82″ |
| Revs per mile | 672 | 639 | −33 |
| Speedometer error | baseline | +5.1% | reads low |
Diameter overlay
235/65R18 265/65R18
Speedometer check
With 265/65R18 fitted, when the speedometer shows the indicated speed, your actual speed is:
25 mph shown
26.3 mph actual
35 mph shown
36.8 mph actual
45 mph shown
47.3 mph actual
55 mph shown
57.8 mph actual
65 mph shown
68.3 mph actual
75 mph shown
78.8 mph actual
Common questions
- Will 265/65R18 fit instead of 235/65R18?
- 5.1% is past the 5% mark, which is where this stops being a tire choice and starts being a project. Expect rubbing, meaningful speedometer error, and extra load on ABS, stability control and the drivetrain. Recalibration is the usual fix. Your speedometer will read low, so you are going faster than it says. Overall diameter goes from 30.03″ to 31.56″, a change of +5.1%. 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 265/65R18?
- At an indicated 60 mph you are really doing about 63.1 mph, a +5.1% error. The speedometer reads low, so you are going faster than it shows.
- What is the difference in revolutions per mile between 235/65R18 and 265/65R18?
- 235/65R18 turns about 672 times per mile and 265/65R18 turns about 639, a difference of −33. Your speedometer and odometer both count rotations, so this number is what throws them off.