255/55R18 vs 265/60R18
New overall diameter
30.52″
was 29.04″
True speed at an indicated 60
63.1 mph
your speedo reads low
Revolutions per mile
661
was 694, −34
| Measurement | 255/55R18 | 265/60R18 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter | 29.04″ | 30.52″ | +1.48″ (+5.1%) |
| Sidewall height | 5.52″ (140.3 mm) | 6.26″ (159.0 mm) | +18.8 mm |
| Tread width | 255 mm | 265 mm | +10 mm |
| Circumference | 91.24″ | 95.88″ | +4.64″ |
| Revs per mile | 694 | 661 | −34 |
| Speedometer error | baseline | +5.1% | reads low |
Diameter overlay
255/55R18 265/60R18
Speedometer check
With 265/60R18 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 265/60R18 fit instead of 255/55R18?
- 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 29.04″ to 30.52″, 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 265/60R18?
- 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 255/55R18 and 265/60R18?
- 255/55R18 turns about 694 times per mile and 265/60R18 turns about 661, a difference of −34. Your speedometer and odometer both count rotations, so this number is what throws them off.