Raised White Letter Tires 18 Inch | Available Options & Buying Guide

Finding a set of raised white letter tires for your 18-inch wheels isn’t like picking up a standard blackwall set. The selection is narrower, focused on trucks, SUVs, and classic builds. But the good news is the options that exist are proven, durable, and look fantastic. Whether you’re outfitting a lifted truck or a retro SUV, here’s what’s actually available and how to choose the right size.

What 18-Inch Raised White Letter Tires Are Available?

The most well-documented and popular 18-inch RWL tire is the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 in the 35X12.50R18/E size. This is a serious light-truck tire with raised white lettering, designed for off-road traction and durability. In the 18-inch market, the white-letter offerings lean heavily into all-terrain and light-truck categories rather than standard passenger car tires. A common alternative is the BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A, which is available in 18-inch sizes like 265/65R18 and offers a more road-friendly all-season tread with a 60,000-mile warranty—though its sidewall styling varies by specific model number.

How to Choose the Right 18-Inch White Letter Tire for Your Vehicle

Start by verifying your vehicle’s required wheel diameter and wheel width—never buy based on the white-letter look alone. The “18” in the tire size refers to the rim diameter, not the tire’s outer size or width. Next, check the section width and overall diameter to ensure the tire clears your suspension and bodywork without rubbing. For trucks and SUVs, matching the tire’s load index and load range to your vehicle’s actual weight is critical—the BFGoodrich KO2 35X12.50R18/E, for example, carries a max load of 3,415 lbs at 65 psi. See our full roundup of the best white letter 18-inch tire options for a side-by-side comparison of current models.

Common Mistakes When Buying White Letter Tires

Mistake #1: Ignoring the sidewall descriptor. Listings use RWL (raised white letter), OWL (outlined white letter), and “white lettering” interchangeably, but they are not identical. RWL has raised, white rubber protruding from the black sidewall; OWL is a white band molded flush with the sidewall. Always confirm the specific sidewall style before ordering.

Mistake #2: Confusing 18-inch diameter with tire width. A 265/65R18 tire has an 18-inch wheel diameter, but its section width is 265 millimeters—a completely different measurement. Many first-time buyers mistakenly think the ’18’ controls the tire’s outer size.

Mistake #3: Assuming all white-letter tires are the same price. Specialty and classic-focused white-letter tires often carry a price premium over standard blackwall tires. Budget accordingly, especially for larger LT sizes.

Fitment, Safety, and Compatibility Caveats

White-letter tires in 18 inches are largely specialty products for lifted trucks, off-road builds, and retro-styled SUVs. Compatibility depends entirely on your exact vehicle fitment and wheel specs. For truck applications, always pay attention to load range and maximum load at specified psi—the BFGoodrich KO2 example above is an E-rated tire carrying over 3,400 lbs per tire. For passenger-class retro tires, the standard load ratings are materially different. BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A 265/65R18 spec sheet shows a 114 load index for passenger-rated loads. If you’re building a lifted truck or heavy SUV, stick with LT-rated white-letter tires to stay safe.