CarSpecsHQ

265/45R21 vs 265/50R20

265/50R20 is a safe swap for 265/45R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.14%.

21" → 20"
265/45R21 30.39" · 265/50R20 30.43" · drawn to scale

Side by side

265/45R21265/50R20Difference
Overall diameter30.39"30.43"+0.04" (+0.14%)
Section width265 mm265 mm0 mm
Sidewall4.69"5.22"+0.52"
Rim21"20"-1"
Circumference95.5"95.6"+0.1"
Revs per mile664663-1
Ride height——+0.02"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.1+0.1 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.1 mph

With 265/50R20 on a car calibrated for 265/45R21, the speedometer reads 59.9 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.1%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.0 mph
45 mph45.1 mph
60 mph60.1 mph
70 mph70.1 mph
80 mph80.1 mph

Other sizes close to 265/45R21

Questions

Can I replace 265/45R21 with 265/50R20?

265/50R20 is a safe swap for 265/45R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.14%.

What's the difference between 265/45R21 and 265/50R20?

265/50R20 is 0.04" taller and 0 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.52". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.1 mph.

Will 265/50R20 fit on 265/45R21 wheels?

No — 265/45R21 needs a 21" wheel and 265/50R20 a 20" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.