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Tire Size Comparison

255/55R18 vs 255/50R19

Switching from 255/55R18 to 255/50R19 changes overall diameter by -0.01% (29.04 in → 29.04 in).

-0.01%Safe swap — speedometer error is minor

Speedometer error

With a speedometer calibrated to 255/55R18, fitting 255/50R19 makes it read as follows:

Speedo showsTrue speedSpeedo showsTrue speed
40 km/h40.0 km/h25 mph25 mph
60 km/h60.0 km/h37 mph37 mph
80 km/h80.0 km/h50 mph50 mph
100 km/h100.0 km/h62 mph62 mph
120 km/h120.0 km/h75 mph75 mph

Full comparison

255/55R18
Overall diameter737.7 mm · 29.04 in
Section width255 mm · 10.04 in
Sidewall height140.3 mm · 5.52 in
Circumference2317.6 mm · 91.2 in
Revolutions per mile694
Revolutions per km431
255/50R19
Overall diameter737.6 mm · 29.04 in
Section width255 mm · 10.04 in
Sidewall height127.5 mm · 5.02 in
Circumference2317.2 mm · 91.2 in
Revolutions per mile695
Revolutions per km432
Original tire
New tire
-0.01%Safe swap — speedometer error is minor
2929
Original
Overall diameter737.7 mm · 29.04 in
Sidewall height140.3 mm
Circumference2,317.6 mm
Revolutions / mile694.4
New
Overall diameter737.6 mm · 29.04 in
Sidewall height127.5 mm
Circumference2,317.2 mm
Revolutions / mile694.5
Speedometer & odometer error

The new tire changes overall diameter by -0.01%. With a speedometer calibrated to the original tire, that same percentage is how far the speedometer and odometer read off — a taller tire means your true speed is higher than indicated and the odometer under-counts distance.

Speedo showsTrue speedSpeedo showsTrue speed
40 km/h40 km/h25 mph25 mph
60 km/h60 km/h37 mph37 mph
80 km/h80 km/h50 mph50 mph
100 km/h100 km/h62 mph62 mph
120 km/h120 km/h75 mph75 mph

See individual specs: 255/55R18 · 255/50R19. A change this size can affect ABS/speed calibration — see wheel-speed codes if a light appears.