235/65R16 vs 255/50R18 tire size comparison

Change either size and everything below updates.

Start from your car make, model, year
Current tire size
/R
xR
New tire size
/R
xR

Width in mm · aspect = sidewall height as a % of width · rim in inches

Flotation (LT) sizes, all in inches: overall diameter × section width, then rim

235/65R16: 28.03″ (712 mm) tall, 9.25″ (235 mm) wide, sidewall 6.01″ (153 mm) — 720 revolutions per mile.

Well within tolerance

+0.04% diameter

The overall diameter changes by less than 1.5%, so speedometer error is negligible and ride height barely moves.

  • Needs 18″ wheels: this tire does not fit your 16″ rims.
  • 20 mm wider: check inner clearance and that your rims are wide enough.

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Measurement235/65R16255/50R18Diff%
Overall diameter28.03″712 mm28.04″712 mm+0.01″+0.0%
Section width235.0 mm255.0 mm+20.0 mm+8.5%
Sidewall height152.8 mm127.5 mm−25.3 mm−16.5%
Rim diameter16″18″+2″+12.5%
Circumference88.05″2236 mm88.09″2237 mm+0.04″+0.0%
Revolutions per mileturns per distance; drives the odometer720447 /km719447 /km−0−0.0%
Ride height change——+0.01″ +0.1 mm

Speedometer reading

Speedo shows
60mph
97 km/h
Actual speed
60.0mph
97 km/h

Overlay

235/65R16255/50R18

Plus sizing: 235/65R16 on smaller or bigger wheels

Sizes fitted to cars that keep the overall diameter within 3% of 235/65R16 on a rim one inch smaller or up to two inches bigger, closest first.

RimSizeDiameterChangeCompare
R15 (−1) 235/70R15 27.95″ −0.3% Compare
205/80R15 27.91″ −0.4% Compare
R17 (+1) 235/60R17 28.10″ +0.3% Compare
255/55R17 28.04″ +0.1% Compare
R18 (+2) 255/50R18 28.04″ 0.0% Compare
235/55R18 28.18″ +0.5% Compare

How to use the tire size calculator

Put your current tire size — width, aspect ratio and rim diameter — into the first form, then your desired size into the second. You’ll get the difference between the new and the old size, plus the speedometer reading difference and your actual speed on the new set. Both metric and flotation (LT inch) sizes are supported.

The calculator helps you decide whether a set of tires and wheels will fit your car. To compare tires by brand and model instead, use our tire comparison tool; to look up factory sizes, browse by car make.

Changing wheels too? The wheel offset calculator shows how far a new wheel width and offset move the tire toward the suspension and the fender.

Reading a tire size

225/45R17
225
Section width in millimetres
45
Aspect ratio — sidewall height as a % of width
R
Radial construction
17
Rim diameter in inches

Full guide to the tire sidewall →

Sizes often compared with 235/65R16