CarSpecsHQ

265/45R20 vs 305/40R20

305/40R20 is a safe swap for 265/45R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.74%.

20" rim
265/45R20 29.39" · 305/40R20 29.61" · drawn to scale

Side by side

265/45R20305/40R20Difference
Overall diameter29.39"29.61"+0.22" (+0.74%)
Section width265 mm305 mm+40 mm
Sidewall4.69"4.80"+0.11"
Rim20"20"same
Circumference92.3"93.0"+0.7"
Revs per mile686681-5
Ride height——+0.11"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.4+0.4 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.4 mph

With 305/40R20 on a car calibrated for 265/45R20, the speedometer reads 59.6 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.7%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.2 mph
45 mph45.3 mph
60 mph60.4 mph
70 mph70.5 mph
80 mph80.6 mph

Other sizes close to 265/45R20

Questions

Can I replace 265/45R20 with 305/40R20?

305/40R20 is a safe swap for 265/45R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.74%.

What's the difference between 265/45R20 and 305/40R20?

305/40R20 is 0.22" taller and 40 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.11". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.4 mph.

Will 305/40R20 fit on 265/45R20 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.