CarSpecsHQ

235/50R20 vs 285/45R20

285/45R20 is a safe swap for 235/50R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.89%.

20" rim
235/50R20 29.25" · 285/45R20 30.10" · drawn to scale

Side by side

235/50R20285/45R20Difference
Overall diameter29.25"30.10"+0.85" (+2.89%)
Section width235 mm285 mm+50 mm
Sidewall4.63"5.05"+0.42"
Rim20"20"same
Circumference91.9"94.6"+2.7"
Revs per mile689670-19
Ride height——+0.42"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.7+1.7 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.7 mph

With 285/45R20 on a car calibrated for 235/50R20, the speedometer reads 58.3 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.9%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.9 mph
45 mph46.3 mph
60 mph61.7 mph
70 mph72.0 mph
80 mph82.3 mph

Other sizes close to 235/50R20

Questions

Can I replace 235/50R20 with 285/45R20?

285/45R20 is a safe swap for 235/50R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.89%.

What's the difference between 235/50R20 and 285/45R20?

285/45R20 is 0.85" taller and 50 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.42". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.7 mph.

Will 285/45R20 fit on 235/50R20 wheels?

Both use a 20" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 285 mm tire and the fender clearance.