235/60R18 vs 235/65R18 tire size

A 235/65R18 is 0.93 inches (24 mm) taller than a 235/60R18, and the same width. Fit them in place of 235/60R18 tires and the speedometer reads low: at 60 mph on it you’re doing 61.9 mph, 3.2% faster, and the vehicle sits 0.46 inches (12 mm) higher.

Sources checked

Dimension235/60R18235/65R18Change
Overall diameter29.10 in (739 mm)30.03 in (763 mm)+0.93 in (+24 mm)
Section width9.25 in (235 mm)9.25 in (235 mm)0.00 in (0 mm)
Sidewall height5.55 in (141 mm)6.01 in (153 mm)+0.46 in (+12 mm)
Aspect ratio60%65%
Rim diameter18 in18 in
Circumference91.4 in (2,322 mm)94.3 in (2,396 mm)+2.9 in
Revolutions per mile693672−21
Revolutions per km431417−14

Check another speed or size

Metric, LT and flotation

As printed on the sidewall: 265/70R17, LT285/75R16, 33x12.50R15.

Leave it empty to see one size on its own.

mph

Set for your tire size.

Speed unit

At 60 mph on the speedometer you’re doing

61.9mph

+3.2% · the speedometer reads low

Height
+0.93 in (+24 mm)
Width
0.00 in (0 mm)
Ground clearance
+0.46 in (+12 mm)
Each side, same wheel
0.00 in (0 mm)

235/60R18 and 235/65R18 side by side

Dimension235/60R18235/65R18Change
Overall diameter29.10 in (739 mm)30.03 in (763 mm)+0.93 in (+24 mm)
Section width9.25 in (235 mm)9.25 in (235 mm)0.00 in (0 mm)
Sidewall height5.55 in (141 mm)6.01 in (153 mm)+0.46 in (+12 mm)
Aspect ratio60%65%
Rim diameter18 in18 in
Circumference91.4 in94.3 in+2.9 in
Revolutions per mile693672−21
Revolutions per km431417−14

The working

  1. 235/60R18: sidewall = 235 mm × 60% = 141.0 mm = 5.55 in.
  2. Diameter = rim + 2 × sidewall = 18 + 2 × 5.55 = 29.10 in (739 mm).
  3. Circumference = π × 29.10 = 91.4 in; revolutions per mile = 63,360 ÷ 91.4 = 693.
  4. 235/65R18: sidewall = 235 mm × 65% = 152.8 mm = 6.01 in.
  5. Diameter = rim + 2 × sidewall = 18 + 2 × 6.01 = 30.03 in (763 mm).
  6. Circumference = π × 30.03 = 94.3 in; revolutions per mile = 63,360 ÷ 94.3 = 672.
  7. Speedometer. True speed = what it shows × new diameter ÷ old = 60 × 30.03 ÷ 29.10 = 61.9 mph.
  8. Ground clearance. Half the change in diameter: (30.03 − 29.10) ÷ 2 = +0.46 in.

Speedometer

A 235/65R18 turns 672 times a mile against the 235/60R18’s 693. With a speedometer set for 235/60R18, true speed is what it shows × 30.03 ÷ 29.10:

Speedometer showsTrue speedDifference
25 mph25.8 mph+0.8 mph
35 mph36.1 mph+1.1 mph
45 mph46.4 mph+1.4 mph
55 mph56.7 mph+1.7 mph
65 mph67.1 mph+2.1 mph
75 mph77.4 mph+2.4 mph

Clearance

  • Ground clearance: +0.46 in (+12 mm), half the change in diameter.
  • Top of the tread: +0.46 in (+12 mm), so that much less room under the fender.
  • Each side, on the same wheel: no change.

A new wheel with a different width or offset moves the tire again. The sidewall goes from 5.55 to 6.01 inches.

What tire makers publish

Inflated on the maker’s measuring rim; the percentage is against the arithmetic.

TireSize as printedDiameterWidthRevs per mile
Toyo Extensa A/S II235/60R1829.1 in (0.0%)9.4 in714
Toyo Open Country A/T III235/60R1829.1 in (0.0%)9.4 in714
Toyo Extensa A/S II235/65R1830 in (−0.1%)9.4 in692
Toyo Open Country A/T III235/65R1830 in (−0.1%)9.4 in692

Each size on its own

Other comparisons

Questions

Can I fit 235/65R18 tires instead of 235/60R18?

They fit the same 18-inch wheels. A 235/65R18 is 0.93 inches (24 mm) taller than a 235/60R18, and the same width, so check three things first: that your wheels are within the 235/65R18’s approved rim width range, which tire makers list for each size; that it clears the fenders and suspension at full lock and full travel; and that its load index meets what your door-jamb placard asks for.

How far off is the speedometer with 235/65R18 tires?

With a speedometer set for 235/60R18, the speedometer reads low: at 60 mph on it you’re doing 61.9 mph, 3.2% faster. The odometer is off the same way: over 1,000 miles driven it shows 969.2.

Does 235/65R18 change the ground clearance?

By +0.46 inches (+12 mm), half the change in diameter, at the axles and at the lowest point under them. The width doesn’t change.

Sources

  1. Bridgestone Americas: Determining tire size: P-metric, Euro-metric, LT-metric, C-type and flotation sizes, and what each number means (checked October 28, 2026)
  2. Toyo Tires: Extensa A/S II sizes and specifications: inflated overall diameter and width, revolutions per mile (checked October 28, 2026)
  3. Toyo Tires: Proxes Sport A/S sizes and specifications: inflated overall diameter and width, revolutions per mile (checked October 28, 2026)
  4. Toyo Tires: Open Country A/T III sizes and specifications: P-metric, LT-metric and flotation sizes, with revolutions per mile (checked October 28, 2026)
  5. Nitto Tire: Trail Grappler M/T sizes and specs: inflated overall diameter and width, LT-metric and flotation sizes (checked October 28, 2026)

Spotted a number that doesn’t match your manual or a source? Tell us; corrections are logged on the sources page.