About the 235/55R18 Tire

The 235/55R18 is a common tire size for SUVs and crossovers such as Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Ford Explorer.

With a 129.3 mm sidewall (55% aspect ratio), this tire offers a balanced blend of ride comfort and handling precision — versatile for both city driving and spirited cornering.

Compared to the baseline 235/45R18, this tire's overall diameter differs by +7.0% — a speedometer calibrated for 235/45R18 would read 93.4 km/h at an actual 100 km/h.

Fitted to mid-size luxury crossover base trims and similar SUV platforms. Load index 100V or 104H reinforced. Crossover-oriented; replacement compounds are mostly grand-touring with limited UHP options.

Crossover and mid-size SUV sizes carry significantly higher loads than passenger-car sizes of similar width, so the load index — not just the speed rating — is the spec to verify on replacement. Reinforced (XL/RF) versions are commonly OE; downgrading to standard-load risks sidewall failure on cargo-laden highway runs. Tread-pattern selection (H-T vs A-T) drives most of the noise and wet-grip difference.

Tire Measurements

Tire Code235/55R18
Section Width235 mm
Aspect Ratio55%
Rim Diameter18"
Sidewall Height129.3 mm
Overall Diameter715.7 mm / 28.18"
Circumference2248.4 mm / 88.52"
Revolutions per km444.8
Revolutions per mile715.8

Adjacent Size Comparison

Tire Code OD (mm)Δ mmΔ % Speedo at 100 km/h
235/40R18 645.2 -70.5 -9.9% 110.9
235/45R18 668.7 -47.0 -6.6% 107.0
235/55R17 690.3 -25.4 -3.5% 103.7
235/55R18 (current) 715.7 100.0
255/55R18 737.7 +22.0 +3.1% 97.0
235/55R20 766.5 +50.8 +7.1% 93.4

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall diameter of a 235/55R18 tire?
The overall diameter is 715.7 mm (28.18 in), with a 129.3 mm sidewall on a 18-inch rim.
How many revolutions per kilometer does a 235/55R18 tire make?
It makes 444.8 revolutions per kilometer, with a circumference of 2248.4 mm.
What vehicles commonly use 235/55R18 tires?
The 235/55R18 is standard OEM equipment on SUVs and crossovers such as Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Ford Explorer. Always check your owner's manual or door placard before switching sizes.

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