What is the diameter difference between 225/45R18 and 235/40R18?

225/45R18 has an overall diameter of 25.97 inches (660 mm). 235/40R18 is 25.4 inches (645 mm). That's a 0.57 inch (15 mm) difference — 235/40R18 is shorter.

Will 235/40R18 cause speedometer error on a car fitted with 225/45R18?

Swapping 225/45R18 for 235/40R18 produces a speedometer error of about 2.2%. Your speedometer will read higher than your actual speed — a 60 mph indicated reading is really 58.7 mph. Anything under 3% is usually acceptable without recalibration.

How many revolutions per mile does each size do?

225/45R18 turns 777 revs per mile. 235/40R18 turns 794 revs per mile. Taller tyres turn fewer times per mile, which lowers effective final-drive ratio.

What's the sidewall height difference?

225/45R18 has a sidewall of 101 mm (3.99 in). 235/40R18 sidewall is 94 mm (3.7 in). Lower-profile sidewalls give sharper steering response but less bump compliance.

Is 235/40R18 a safe plus-size upgrade from 225/45R18?

A plus-size upgrade is considered safe when overall diameter stays within ±3% — here the difference is 2.2%. This swap is within the typical safe range; speedometer and ABS calibration should remain close to factory.

Tire size comparison

225/45R18 vs 235/40R18

Overall diameter, sidewall, revs per mile, and speedometer error — 225/45R18 is the taller tire, with a 2.2% speedo delta when swapping.

225/45R18

25.97in

660 mm overall diameter

235/40R18

25.4in

645 mm overall diameter

Diameter Δ

0.57 in

Speedo error

2.2%

225/45R18 revs/mi

777

235/40R18 revs/mi

794

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	225/45R18	235/40R18
Section width	225 mm	235 mm
Aspect ratio	45	40
Wheel diameter	18″	18″
Sidewall height	101 mm	94 mm
Overall diameter	25.97 in (660 mm)	25.4 in (645 mm)
Circumference	81.59 in	79.8 in
Revolutions / mile	777	794

Other comparisons for these sizes

205/55R16 vs 225/45R18 215/50R17 vs 225/45R18 225/50R17 vs 225/45R18 225/45R17 vs 235/40R18 235/45R17 vs 235/40R18 215/40R18 vs 235/40R18 225/40R18 vs 235/40R18 225/40R18 vs 225/45R18 225/45R18 vs 225/40R19 225/45R18 vs 245/35R20

FAQ

Frequently asked

What is the diameter difference between 225/45R18 and 235/40R18?: 225/45R18 has an overall diameter of 25.97 inches (660 mm). 235/40R18 is 25.4 inches (645 mm). That's a 0.57 inch (15 mm) difference — 235/40R18 is shorter.
Will 235/40R18 cause speedometer error on a car fitted with 225/45R18?: Swapping 225/45R18 for 235/40R18 produces a speedometer error of about 2.2%. Your speedometer will read higher than your actual speed — a 60 mph indicated reading is really 58.7 mph. Anything under 3% is usually acceptable without recalibration.
How many revolutions per mile does each size do?: 225/45R18 turns 777 revs per mile. 235/40R18 turns 794 revs per mile. Taller tyres turn fewer times per mile, which lowers effective final-drive ratio.
What's the sidewall height difference?: 225/45R18 has a sidewall of 101 mm (3.99 in). 235/40R18 sidewall is 94 mm (3.7 in). Lower-profile sidewalls give sharper steering response but less bump compliance.
Is 235/40R18 a safe plus-size upgrade from 225/45R18?: A plus-size upgrade is considered safe when overall diameter stays within ±3% — here the difference is 2.2%. This swap is within the typical safe range; speedometer and ABS calibration should remain close to factory.