Steering feel
Sharper steering response
Short sidewall loads the contact patch fast — quick turn-in and confident on-center feel.
Tire size meaning
245/35 R18
What the numbers on a 245/35 R18 tire actually mean — width, sidewall, construction and rim — explained in plain language with real-world driving context.
Direct answer
What does 245/35 R18 mean?
245/35 R18 is a metric tire size: 245 mm wide, a sidewall 35% of that width (86 mm), radial construction, fitted to a 18-inch wheel. Overall diameter ≈ 629 mm.
- 245
- Section width in mm (sidewall to sidewall).
- 35
- Aspect ratio — sidewall is 35% of width (86 mm).
- R
- Radial construction — the modern layered build.
- 18
- Wheel rim diameter in inches (457 mm).
Ø 629 mm · 24.75″ · 506 revs/km
Dimensional breakdown
- Section width
- 245 mm
- Aspect ratio
- 35%
- Sidewall height
- 85.8 mm
- Rim diameter
- 18″ (457.2 mm)
- Overall diameter
- 629 mm
- Circumference
- 1.975 m
- Revs per km
- 506
- Construction
- Radial (R)
What 245/35 R18 feels like on the road
A 245/35 R18 tire is an ultra-low-profile performance tire. With a sidewall of 86 mm, it delivers very sharp steering response but transmits more road imperfections into the cabin and is more exposed to pothole damage.
The 245 mm contact width delivers maximum contact patch for high-performance and SUV applications. Combined with a 18-inch wheel, this size is most commonly found on mid-size sedans, sport trims and modern crossovers.
At highway speed each tire completes about 506 revolutions per kilometre — the figure your speedometer and ABS were calibrated against if 245/35 R18 is the OEM specification.
Common alternatives to 245/35 R18
Sizes within ±3% overall diameter — generally safe swaps for speedometer accuracy and clearance. Click any size to open a full side-by-side comparison.
Driver feel · telemetry
What 245/35 R18 usually feels like
A driver-perspective read on this size — steering, comfort, highway stability and rough-road behavior.
Ride comfort
Firmer over rough pavement
Short sidewall transmits more imperfections and increases wheel-damage risk on potholes.
Highway stability
Planted at highway speed
Wider contact patch resists crosswinds and tramlining — strong straight-line confidence.
Pothole comfort
Less margin against pothole damage
Run wider arc around potholes — short sidewall means the rim takes more of the hit.
Sporty vs OEM tone
Aggressive performance setup
A performance fingerprint — sharp, planted, low and committed.
Sidewall86 mm
Ø629 mm
Width245 mm
Revs/km506
Related tire sizes for 245/35 R18
Explore neighbouring sizes by intent — similar, wider, lower-profile, OEM-safe, or aggressive. Each link opens a full side-by-side comparison.