TireSizeCheck

265/65R18 vs 265/60R18

Fit verdict

Borderline. Check clearance first

Diameter change

−3.3%

At 3.3% 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 high, so you are going slower than it says.

New overall diameter

30.52″

was 31.56″

True speed at an indicated 60

58.0 mph

your speedo reads high

Revolutions per mile

661

was 639, +22

Measurement 265/65R18 265/60R18 Change
Overall diameter 31.56″ 30.52″ −1.04″ (−3.3%)
Sidewall height 6.78″ (172.3 mm) 6.26″ (159.0 mm) −13.3 mm
Tread width 265 mm 265 mm +0 mm
Circumference 99.16″ 95.88″ −3.28″
Revs per mile 639 661 +22
Speedometer error baseline −3.3% reads high

Diameter overlay

265/65R18 265/60R18

Speedometer check

With 265/60R18 fitted, when the speedometer shows the indicated speed, your actual speed is:

25 mph shown

24.2 mph actual

35 mph shown

33.8 mph actual

45 mph shown

43.5 mph actual

55 mph shown

53.2 mph actual

65 mph shown

62.9 mph actual

75 mph shown

72.5 mph actual

Common questions

Will 265/60R18 fit instead of 265/65R18?
At 3.3% 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 high, so you are going slower than it says. Overall diameter goes from 31.56″ to 30.52″, a change of −3.3%. 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 58.0 mph, a −3.3% error. The speedometer reads high, so you are going slower than it shows.
What is the difference in revolutions per mile between 265/65R18 and 265/60R18?
265/65R18 turns about 639 times per mile and 265/60R18 turns about 661, a difference of +22. Your speedometer and odometer both count rotations, so this number is what throws them off.