225/55R16 vs 245/40R18

Switching from 225/55R16 to 245/40R18 decreases the overall diameter by 0.7 mm (0.1%). That is within the usual ±3% guideline.

225/55R16245/40R18Difference (mm / revs)
Section width225 mm245 mm+20.0
Sidewall height123.8 mm98.0 mm-25.8
Rim diameter406.4 mm457.2 mm+50.8
Overall diameter653.9 mm653.2 mm-0.7
Circumference2,054.3 mm2,052.1 mm-2.2
Revolutions487 per km487 per km+0.0

Speedometer effect

With 245/40R18 fitted on a car calibrated for 225/55R16, the real speed when the speedometer shows:

Speedometer showsActual speed
50 km/h49.9 km/h
80 km/h79.9 km/h
100 km/h99.9 km/h
120 km/h119.9 km/h

Smaller tires make the speedometer read higher than the actual speed. Most speedometers also read slightly high from the factory.

Before you change size

225/55R16 dimensions · 245/40R18 dimensions · Open in calculator