CarSpecsHQ

255/45R20 vs 245/50R20

245/50R20 is a safe swap for 255/45R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.10%.

20" rim
255/45R20 29.04" · 245/50R20 29.65" · drawn to scale

Side by side

255/45R20245/50R20Difference
Overall diameter29.04"29.65"+0.61" (+2.10%)
Section width255 mm245 mm-10 mm
Sidewall4.52"4.82"+0.31"
Rim20"20"same
Circumference91.2"93.1"+1.9"
Revs per mile695680-14
Ride height——+0.31"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.3+1.3 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.3 mph

With 245/50R20 on a car calibrated for 255/45R20, the speedometer reads 58.8 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.1%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.6 mph
45 mph45.9 mph
60 mph61.3 mph
70 mph71.5 mph
80 mph81.7 mph

Other sizes close to 255/45R20

Questions

Can I replace 255/45R20 with 245/50R20?

245/50R20 is a safe swap for 255/45R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.10%.

What's the difference between 255/45R20 and 245/50R20?

245/50R20 is 0.61" taller and 10 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.31". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.3 mph.

Will 245/50R20 fit on 255/45R20 wheels?

Both use a 20" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 245 mm tire and the fender clearance.