CarSpecsHQ

255/45R20 vs 305/40R20

305/40R20 is a safe swap for 255/45R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.97%.

20" rim
255/45R20 29.04" · 305/40R20 29.61" · drawn to scale

Side by side

255/45R20305/40R20Difference
Overall diameter29.04"29.61"+0.57" (+1.97%)
Section width255 mm305 mm+50 mm
Sidewall4.52"4.80"+0.29"
Rim20"20"same
Circumference91.2"93.0"+1.8"
Revs per mile695681-13
Ride height——+0.29"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.2+1.2 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.2 mph

With 305/40R20 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 2.0%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.6 mph
45 mph45.9 mph
60 mph61.2 mph
70 mph71.4 mph
80 mph81.6 mph

Other sizes close to 255/45R20

Questions

Can I replace 255/45R20 with 305/40R20?

305/40R20 is a safe swap for 255/45R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.97%.

What's the difference between 255/45R20 and 305/40R20?

305/40R20 is 0.57" taller and 50 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.29". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.2 mph.

Will 305/40R20 fit on 255/45R20 wheels?

Both use a 20" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 305 mm tire and the fender clearance.