215/55R18 Tire Size in Inches

Diameter, width, sidewall and the closest equivalent sizes, computed from the size code.

215/55R18
27.3" tall × 8.5" wide
On a 18-inch wheel · roughly 27.3x8.5R18 in flotation sizing
MeasurementInchesMillimetres
Overall diameter27.31694
Section width8.46215
Sidewall height4.66118.2
Wheel diameter18457
Circumference85.82179
Revolutions per mile738 (459 per km)

What 215/55R18 means

215 is the section width in millimetres (8.5 in). 55 is the aspect ratio: the sidewall is 55% as tall as the tire is wide, which works out to 118.2 mm or 4.7 in. R18 is a radial tire for a 18-inch wheel.

Overall diameter is the wheel plus two sidewalls: 18 + 2 × 4.66 = 27.3 inches. These are the nominal dimensions every maker builds to; a real 215/55R18 can measure a few tenths of an inch differently by model and inflation.

Closest equivalent sizes

Common sizes within the usual 3% of 215/55R18's overall diameter. Confirm load index, speed rating and rim width before swapping.

SizeDiameterWidthChangeSpeedometer at 60
235/45R19 new wheels 27.3 in 9.3 in +0.1% really 60.0 mph
235/50R18 27.3 in 9.3 in -0.2% really 59.9 mph
225/70R15 new wheels 27.4 in 8.9 in +0.3% really 60.2 mph
235/55R17 new wheels 27.2 in 9.3 in -0.5% really 59.7 mph
215/60R17 new wheels 27.2 in 8.5 in -0.6% really 59.7 mph
225/65R16 new wheels 27.5 in 8.9 in +0.7% really 60.4 mph

Speedometer if you switch to 235/50R18

Your speedometer stays calibrated for 215/55R18. With a shorter tire you travel slower than it shows.

Speedometer readsTrue speed
30 mph29.9 mph
45 mph44.9 mph
55 mph54.9 mph
65 mph64.9 mph
75 mph74.8 mph
Compare 215/55R18 with any size →

Shop 215/55R18 tires

Check the load index and speed rating on your door-jamb placard before you buy, especially for LT tires used for towing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

A 215/55R18 tire is 27.3 inches (694 mm) tall overall. That is the 18-inch wheel plus two sidewalls of 4.7 inches each (55% of the 215 mm section width). Expect a real tire to measure within a few tenths of an inch of this, depending on the model and inflation.

The section width is 215 mm, or 8.5 inches, measured sidewall to sidewall on the recommended rim width. The tread itself is narrower than that. In flotation sizing, 215/55R18 is roughly a 27.3x8.5R18.

235/45R19 is the closest common size, at +0.1% overall diameter (27.3 in against 27.3 in). Most makers treat about 3% as the limit for a swap without speedometer or clearance problems, but always confirm load index, speed rating and wheel width before changing size.

About 738 revolutions per mile (459 per kilometre), from its 27.3-inch rolling diameter. Real-world figures run slightly higher because a loaded tire squats. This number is what your speedometer and odometer are calibrated against.

Last updated: October 2, 2026

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Other 18-inch sizes

215/45R18 215/50R18 225/40R18 225/45R18 225/50R18 225/55R18 225/60R18 235/40R18 235/45R18 235/50R18 235/55R18 235/60R18 235/65R18 245/40R18 245/45R18 245/50R18 245/60R18 245/65R18 255/35R18 255/45R18 255/55R18 255/60R18 255/65R18 255/70R18 265/35R18 265/60R18 265/65R18 265/70R18 275/65R18 275/70R18 285/65R18 285/75R18 275/40R18 275/60R18 285/60R18 295/70R18