225/40R18 vs 215/45R18
215/45R18 is taller than 225/40R18 by 2.12% — a diameter difference of 0.53″.
What changes between 225/40R18 and 215/45R18
Switching from 225/40R18 to 215/45R18 changes overall diameter by +2.12%, a taller tire by 0.53 inches. This lands inside the ±3% fitment safe zone, so most vehicles will accept the swap without rubbing, speedometer recalibration, or ABS/TPMS complications. Section width moves by -0.40″ (225mm → 215mm), which affects contact patch and fender-well clearance. Sidewall height shifts by +0.27″: a taller sidewall softens ride quality and adds off-road bump protection, with some loss of steering crispness. Revs per mile moves by -17, which translates directly to speedometer error — at an indicated 65 mph, actual speed becomes 66.4 mph. Both sizes share the same 18″ rim, so no wheel change is required — this is a pure tire-only swap.
| Spec | 225/40R18 | 215/45R18 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter | 25.09″ | 25.62″ |
| Section width | 8.86″ (225 mm) | 8.46″ (215 mm) |
| Sidewall height | 3.54″ (40%) | 3.81″ (45%) |
| Rim diameter | 18″ | 18″ |
| Circumference | 78.81″ | 80.48″ |
| Revs per mile | 804 | 787 |
Interactive comparison
275/65R18 or "33" for inch aliases225/40R18
- Diameter
- 25.09″ / 637.2mm
- Section Width
- 8.86″
- Sidewall
- 3.54″ / 90mm
- Circumference
- 78.81″
- Revs/Mile
- 804
215/45R18
- Diameter
- 25.62″ / 650.7mm
- Section Width
- 8.46″
- Sidewall
- 3.81″ / 96.75mm
- Circumference
- 80.48″
- Revs/Mile
- 787
Speedometer & Diameter Impact
At an indicated 60 mph, your actual speed is 61.27 mph (98.61 km/h). Your speedometer reads 2.12% low versus actual speed.