CarSpecsHQ

265/40R20 vs 245/50R20

245/50R20 is outside the ±3% rule as a replacement for 265/40R20: the diameter differs by +4.58%, so the speedometer, odometer and ABS calibration will be off and clearance needs checking.

20" rim
265/40R20 28.35" · 245/50R20 29.65" · drawn to scale

Side by side

265/40R20245/50R20Difference
Overall diameter28.35"29.65"+1.30" (+4.58%)
Section width265 mm245 mm-20 mm
Sidewall4.17"4.82"+0.65"
Rim20"20"same
Circumference89.1"93.1"+4.1"
Revs per mile711680-31
Ride height——+0.65"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.062.8+2.8 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 62.8 mph

With 245/50R20 on a car calibrated for 265/40R20, the speedometer reads 57.4 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 4.6%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph31.4 mph
45 mph47.1 mph
60 mph62.8 mph
70 mph73.2 mph
80 mph83.7 mph

Other sizes close to 265/40R20

Questions

Can I replace 265/40R20 with 245/50R20?

245/50R20 is outside the ±3% rule as a replacement for 265/40R20: the diameter differs by +4.58%, so the speedometer, odometer and ABS calibration will be off and clearance needs checking.

What's the difference between 265/40R20 and 245/50R20?

245/50R20 is 1.30" taller and 20 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.65". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 62.8 mph.

Will 245/50R20 fit on 265/40R20 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.