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Tire Size Comparison

255/60R18 vs 265/65R17

Switching from 255/60R18 to 265/65R17 changes overall diameter by +1.72% (30.05 in → 30.56 in).

+1.72%Safe swap — speedometer error is minor

Speedometer error

With a speedometer calibrated to 255/60R18, fitting 265/65R17 makes it read as follows:

Speedo showsTrue speedSpeedo showsTrue speed
40 km/h40.7 km/h25 mph25 mph
60 km/h61.0 km/h37 mph38 mph
80 km/h81.4 km/h50 mph51 mph
100 km/h101.7 km/h62 mph63 mph
120 km/h122.1 km/h75 mph76 mph

Full comparison

255/60R18
Overall diameter763.2 mm · 30.05 in
Section width255 mm · 10.04 in
Sidewall height153.0 mm · 6.02 in
Circumference2397.7 mm · 94.4 in
Revolutions per mile671
Revolutions per km417
265/65R17
Overall diameter776.3 mm · 30.56 in
Section width265 mm · 10.43 in
Sidewall height172.3 mm · 6.78 in
Circumference2438.8 mm · 96.0 in
Revolutions per mile660
Revolutions per km410
Original tire
New tire
+1.72%Safe swap — speedometer error is minor
3030.6
Original
Overall diameter763.2 mm · 30.05 in
Sidewall height153 mm
Circumference2,397.7 mm
Revolutions / mile671.2
New
Overall diameter776.3 mm · 30.56 in
Sidewall height172.3 mm
Circumference2,438.8 mm
Revolutions / mile659.9
Speedometer & odometer error

The new tire changes overall diameter by +1.72%. 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/h40.7 km/h25 mph25 mph
60 km/h61 km/h37 mph38 mph
80 km/h81.4 km/h50 mph51 mph
100 km/h101.7 km/h62 mph63 mph
120 km/h122.1 km/h75 mph76 mph

See individual specs: 255/60R18 · 265/65R17. A change this size can affect ABS/speed calibration — see wheel-speed codes if a light appears.