CarSpecsHQ

235/45R20 vs 315/30R21

315/30R21 is a safe swap for 235/45R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.40%.

20" → 21"
235/45R20 28.33" · 315/30R21 28.44" · drawn to scale

Side by side

235/45R20315/30R21Difference
Overall diameter28.33"28.44"+0.11" (+0.40%)
Section width235 mm315 mm+80 mm
Sidewall4.16"3.72"-0.44"
Rim20"21"+1"
Circumference89.0"89.3"+0.4"
Revs per mile712709-3
Ride height——+0.06"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.2+0.2 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.2 mph

With 315/30R21 on a car calibrated for 235/45R20, the speedometer reads 59.8 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.4%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.1 mph
45 mph45.2 mph
60 mph60.2 mph
70 mph70.3 mph
80 mph80.3 mph

Other sizes close to 235/45R20

Questions

Can I replace 235/45R20 with 315/30R21?

315/30R21 is a safe swap for 235/45R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.40%.

What's the difference between 235/45R20 and 315/30R21?

315/30R21 is 0.11" taller and 80 mm wider; the sidewall is -0.44". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.2 mph.

Will 315/30R21 fit on 235/45R20 wheels?

No — 235/45R20 needs a 20" wheel and 315/30R21 a 21" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.