What is the diameter difference between 225/45R17 and 225/40R18?

225/45R17 has an overall diameter of 24.97 inches (634 mm). 225/40R18 is 25.09 inches (637 mm). That's a 0.11 inch (3 mm) difference — 225/40R18 is taller.

Will 225/40R18 cause speedometer error on a car fitted with 225/45R17?

Swapping 225/45R17 for 225/40R18 produces a speedometer error of about 0.5%. Your speedometer will read lower than your actual speed — a 60 mph indicated reading is really 60.3 mph. Anything under 3% is usually acceptable without recalibration.

How many revolutions per mile does each size do?

225/45R17 turns 808 revs per mile. 225/40R18 turns 804 revs per mile. Taller tyres turn fewer times per mile, which lowers effective final-drive ratio.

What's the sidewall height difference?

225/45R17 has a sidewall of 101 mm (3.99 in). 225/40R18 sidewall is 90 mm (3.54 in). Lower-profile sidewalls give sharper steering response but less bump compliance.

Is 225/40R18 a safe plus-size upgrade from 225/45R17?

A plus-size upgrade is considered safe when overall diameter stays within ±3% — here the difference is 0.5%. This swap is within the typical safe range; speedometer and ABS calibration should remain close to factory.

Tire size comparison

225/45R17 vs 225/40R18

Overall diameter, sidewall, revs per mile, and speedometer error — 225/40R18 is the taller tire, with a 0.5% speedo delta when swapping.

225/45R17

24.97in

634 mm overall diameter

225/40R18

25.09in

637 mm overall diameter

Diameter Δ

0.11 in

Speedo error

0.5%

225/45R17 revs/mi

808

225/40R18 revs/mi

804

Within the ±3% overall-diameter band usually considered safe for plus-sizing — speedometer and ABS calibration should stay close to factory.

Full spec

Side by side

Metric	225/45R17	225/40R18
Section width	225 mm	225 mm
Aspect ratio	45	40
Wheel diameter	17″	18″
Sidewall height	101 mm	90 mm
Overall diameter	24.97 in (634 mm)	25.09 in (637 mm)
Circumference	78.45 in	78.81 in
Revolutions / mile	808	804

Other comparisons for these sizes

215/50R17 vs 225/45R17 225/50R17 vs 225/45R17 225/45R17 vs 235/40R18 225/45R17 vs 245/35R19 225/45R17 vs 235/45R17 225/45R17 vs 245/45R17 215/40R18 vs 225/40R18 225/40R18 vs 235/35R19 225/40R18 vs 225/35R19 225/40R18 vs 235/40R18

FAQ

Frequently asked

What is the diameter difference between 225/45R17 and 225/40R18?: 225/45R17 has an overall diameter of 24.97 inches (634 mm). 225/40R18 is 25.09 inches (637 mm). That's a 0.11 inch (3 mm) difference — 225/40R18 is taller.
Will 225/40R18 cause speedometer error on a car fitted with 225/45R17?: Swapping 225/45R17 for 225/40R18 produces a speedometer error of about 0.5%. Your speedometer will read lower than your actual speed — a 60 mph indicated reading is really 60.3 mph. Anything under 3% is usually acceptable without recalibration.
How many revolutions per mile does each size do?: 225/45R17 turns 808 revs per mile. 225/40R18 turns 804 revs per mile. Taller tyres turn fewer times per mile, which lowers effective final-drive ratio.
What's the sidewall height difference?: 225/45R17 has a sidewall of 101 mm (3.99 in). 225/40R18 sidewall is 90 mm (3.54 in). Lower-profile sidewalls give sharper steering response but less bump compliance.
Is 225/40R18 a safe plus-size upgrade from 225/45R17?: A plus-size upgrade is considered safe when overall diameter stays within ±3% — here the difference is 0.5%. This swap is within the typical safe range; speedometer and ABS calibration should remain close to factory.