Is 265/65R18 bigger than 275/70R17?

265/65R18 is 0.59 inches shorter and 10 mm narrower. In overall diameter that is −1.85%, which stays inside the ±3% rule of thumb for a substitution.

How much will 265/65R18 throw off my speedometer?

Every reading scales by 0.98151. An indicated 60 mph becomes 58.9 mph, and every 100 miles on the odometer is really 98.2 miles.

How much does 265/65R18 change ground clearance over 275/70R17?

The axle centerline moves by 0.30 inches — half the diameter change, because half the extra height sits below the hub and half above it.

Will 265/65R18 fit where 275/70R17 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.

275/70R17 vs 265/65R18

265/65R18 is −0.59″ in overall diameter and −10 mm in section width against 275/70R17 — a diameter change of −1.85%, which stays inside the ±3% substitution rule. An indicated 60 mph would really be 58.9 mph.

Within 3%

Every dimension

Difference between 275/70R17 and 265/65R18
Dimension	275/70R17 → 265/65R18	Change
Overall diameter	32.16″ → 31.56″	−0.59″ (−1.85%)
Section width	275 mm → 265 mm	−10 mm (−3.64%)
Sidewall height	192.5 mm → 172.3 mm	−20.2 mm
Rolling circumference	101.03″ → 99.16″	−1.87″
Revolutions per mile	627.2 → 639.0	+11.8
Axle height / clearance	16.08″ → 15.78″	−0.30″

275/70R17275 mm

265/65R18265 mm

275/70R17 32.16″265/65R18 31.56″

Which is taller, 275/70R17 or 265/65R18?

275/70R17 is the taller of the two, at 32.16″ against 31.56″. The gap is 0.59 inches, or 15.1 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. 275/70R17 is 275 mm wide with a 192.5 mm sidewall on a 17″ wheel; 265/65R18 is 265 mm wide with a 172.3 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	24.5 mph	−0.5 mph
40 mph	39.3 mph	−0.7 mph
55 mph	54.0 mph	−1.0 mph
60 mph	58.9 mph	−1.1 mph
70 mph	68.7 mph	−1.3 mph
80 mph	78.5 mph	−1.5 mph

Fitting 265/65R18 in place of 275/70R17 multiplies every speed and distance reading by 0.98151. Over 10,000 indicated miles the odometer is out by −185 miles.

Effective gearing moves by the same proportion. A vehicle with 3.73 axles running 275/70R17 would need 3.66 to keep the same engine speed on 265/65R18. Work it out for your own axle ratio.

Full specification of each size

275/70R17

Derived dimensions for 275/70R17
Dimension	Metric	Imperial
Section width	275.0 mm	10.83″
Sidewall height	192.5 mm	7.58″
Wheel diameter	431.8 mm	17.0″
Overall diameter	816.8 mm	32.16″
Rolling circumference	2,566.1 mm	101.03″
Revolutions per mile	389.7 / km	627.2 / mile
Measuring rim (estimate)	216 mm	8.5″

265/65R18

Derived dimensions for 265/65R18
Dimension	Metric	Imperial
Section width	265.0 mm	10.43″
Sidewall height	172.3 mm	6.78″
Wheel diameter	457.2 mm	18.0″
Overall diameter	801.7 mm	31.56″
Rolling circumference	2,518.6 mm	99.16″
Revolutions per mile	397.0 / km	639.0 / mile
Measuring rim (estimate)	203 mm	8″

Rim widths differ too: 275/70R17 is designed for 8″–9.5″ and 265/65R18 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?

Inside the ±3% rule

The diameter difference of −1.85% is within the ±3% that fitters use as the boundary for a substitution, so the speedometer, odometer and wheel-speed-derived systems stay close enough to calibration. The section width difference of −10 mm is a separate question and is the one that decides whether it rubs.

Neither figure says anything about physical fitment. Whether 265/65R18 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.