Is 255/60R18 bigger than 235/60R18?

255/60R18 is 0.94 inches taller and 20 mm wider. In overall diameter that is +3.25%, which exceeds the ±3% rule of thumb for a substitution.

How much will 255/60R18 throw off my speedometer?

Every reading scales by 1.03247. An indicated 60 mph becomes 61.9 mph, and every 100 miles on the odometer is really 103.2 miles.

How much does 255/60R18 change ground clearance over 235/60R18?

The axle centerline moves by 0.47 inches — half the diameter change, because half the extra height sits below the hub and half above it.

Will 255/60R18 fit where 235/60R18 fits?

Nothing derived from the size code can answer that. Clearance depends on wheel offset, suspension travel and body dimensions that no tire size contains. This page tells you exactly what changes dimensionally, which is the part that can be calculated.

235/60R18 vs 255/60R18

255/60R18 is +0.94″ in overall diameter and +20 mm in section width against 235/60R18 — a diameter change of +3.25%, which breaks the ±3% substitution rule. An indicated 60 mph would really be 61.9 mph.

Outside 3%

Every dimension

Difference between 235/60R18 and 255/60R18
Dimension	235/60R18 → 255/60R18	Change
Overall diameter	29.10″ → 30.05″	+0.94″ (+3.25%)
Section width	235 mm → 255 mm	+20 mm (+8.51%)
Sidewall height	141.0 mm → 153.0 mm	+12.0 mm
Rolling circumference	91.43″ → 94.40″	+2.97″
Revolutions per mile	693.0 → 671.2	−21.8
Axle height / clearance	14.55″ → 15.02″	+0.47″

235/60R18235 mm

255/60R18255 mm

235/60R18 29.10″255/60R18 30.05″

Which is taller, 235/60R18 or 255/60R18?

255/60R18 is the taller of the two, at 30.05″ against 29.10″. The gap is 0.94 inches, or 24.0 mm.

Both are metric sizes, so neither states its height directly. Both figures below are derived from the section width, aspect ratio and wheel diameter in the code. 235/60R18 is 235 mm wide with a 141.0 mm sidewall on a 18″ wheel; 255/60R18 is 255 mm wide with a 153.0 mm sidewall on a 18″ wheel.

What the speedometer will read

Indicated versus actual speed after the size change
Speedometer reads	Actual speed	Error
25 mph	25.8 mph	+0.8 mph
40 mph	41.3 mph	+1.3 mph
55 mph	56.8 mph	+1.8 mph
60 mph	61.9 mph	+1.9 mph
70 mph	72.3 mph	+2.3 mph
80 mph	82.6 mph	+2.6 mph

Fitting 255/60R18 in place of 235/60R18 multiplies every speed and distance reading by 1.03247. Over 10,000 indicated miles the odometer is out by +325 miles.

Effective gearing moves by the same proportion. A vehicle with 3.73 axles running 235/60R18 would need 3.85 to keep the same engine speed on 255/60R18. Work it out for your own axle ratio.

Full specification of each size

235/60R18

Derived dimensions for 235/60R18
Dimension	Metric	Imperial
Section width	235.0 mm	9.25″
Sidewall height	141.0 mm	5.55″
Wheel diameter	457.2 mm	18.0″
Overall diameter	739.2 mm	29.10″
Rolling circumference	2,322.3 mm	91.43″
Revolutions per mile	430.6 / km	693.0 / mile
Measuring rim (estimate)	178 mm	7″

255/60R18

Derived dimensions for 255/60R18
Dimension	Metric	Imperial
Section width	255.0 mm	10.04″
Sidewall height	153.0 mm	6.02″
Wheel diameter	457.2 mm	18.0″
Overall diameter	763.2 mm	30.05″
Rolling circumference	2,397.7 mm	94.40″
Revolutions per mile	417.1 / km	671.2 / mile
Measuring rim (estimate)	203 mm	8″

Rim widths differ too: 235/60R18 is designed for 6.5″–8″ and 255/60R18 for 7.5″–9″. Their measuring rims differ, so the same wheel will not be ideal for both.

Can you swap one for the other?

Outside the ±3% rule

The diameter difference of +3.25% exceeds the ±3% rule of thumb. Expect a speedometer error of about 1.9 mph at an indicated 60, and an odometer that is off by the same proportion. It is a common swap even so — it just needs the instruments recalibrated to stay honest.

Neither figure says anything about physical fitment. Whether 255/60R18 clears the strut, the fender liner and the steering stops depends on wheel offset and suspension geometry that a size code does not encode. For maintenance rather than sizing, Car Basics covers tire care.