285/50R18 vs 275/55R17 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

285/50R18: 29.22″ (742 mm) tall, 11.22″ (285 mm) wide, sidewall 5.61″ (143 mm) — 690 revolutions per mile.

Well within tolerance

−1.06% diameter

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

  • Needs 17″ wheels: this tire does not fit your 18″ rims.
  • 10 mm narrower: check the tire is approved for your rim width.

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Measurement285/50R18275/55R17Diff%
Overall diameter29.22″742 mm28.91″734 mm−0.31″−1.1%
Section width285.0 mm275.0 mm−10.0 mm−3.5%
Sidewall height142.5 mm151.3 mm+8.8 mm+6.1%
Rim diameter18″17″−1″−5.6%
Circumference91.80″2332 mm90.82″2307 mm−0.98″−1.1%
Revolutions per mileturns per distance; drives the odometer690429 /km698433 /km+7+1.1%
Ride height change——−0.16″ −4.0 mm

Speedometer reading

Speedo shows
60mph
97 km/h
Actual speed
59.4mph
96 km/h

Overlay

285/50R18275/55R17

Plus sizing: 285/50R18 on smaller or bigger wheels

Sizes fitted to cars that keep the overall diameter within 3% of 285/50R18 on a rim one inch smaller or up to two inches bigger, closest first.

RimSizeDiameterChangeCompare
R17 (−1) 255/60R17 29.05″ −0.6% Compare
275/55R17 28.91″ −1.1% Compare
R19 (+1) 285/45R19 29.10″ −0.4% Compare
295/45R19 29.45″ +0.8% Compare
R20 (+2) 295/40R20 29.29″ +0.2% Compare
285/40R20 28.98″ −0.8% 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 285/50R18