Comparison
235/60 R18 vs 265/60 R18
Stepping from 235/60 R18 to 265/60 R18 keeps the 18-inch wheel but widens the section by 30 mm. This sizing approach moves rolling diameter well outside the usual OEM tolerance.
Indicated speed will drift far enough that recalibration is worth considering. More tread on the ground tends to improve dry grip and stance, with a small fuel-economy and clearance tradeoff. Diameter delta falls in the cautious 3–5% range, where speedometer recalibration and a careful clearance check are worth doing.
TakeUseful when extra dry grip and stance matter more than a small fuel-economy hit.
Quick math: 265/60 R18 is 36.0 mm taller than 235/60 R18, shifting the speedometer by +4.87%.
Current Tire
New Tire
Ground line · scaled comparison
Slight Difference
Within ±5% — usable, recalibration recommended
Diameter change
+36.0 mm
4.87%
Speedometer at 100
104.9 km/h
+4.87% error
Ground clearance
+18.0 mm
ride height delta
Sidewall change
+18.0 mm
revs/km: 410.6
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/compare/235-60-r18-vs-265-60-r18Detailed comparison
| Metric | 235/60 R18 | 265/60 R18 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter | 739.2 mm | 775.2 mm | +36.0 mm (+4.87%) |
| Sidewall height | 141.0 mm | 159.0 mm | +18.0 mm |
| Circumference | 2.322 m | 2.435 m | +113.1 mm |
| Revs / km | 430.6 | 410.6 | -20.0 |
| Ground clearance | reference | +18.0 mm | +18.0 mm |
| Speedometer @ 100 km/h | 100.0 km/h | 104.9 km/h | +4.87 km/h |
Verdict: warning
Between 3% and 5% — noticeable speedometer drift; recalibration may be advisable.
Speedometer impact
At a true 100 km/h, your dashboard will read 104.9 km/h after switching to 265/60 R18 — a +4.87% offset. Use the speedometer error calculator to recheck for other indicated speeds, and the speedometer error guide for the full background.
Ground clearance change
The new tire's half-diameter changes ride height by +18.0 mm. Small differences are absorbed by suspension travel, but anything beyond ±10 mm can affect headlight aim, fender clearance and bump-stop margin. See the plus-sizing guide before committing.
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235/60 R18
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265/60 R18
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