275/35R20 vs 245/40R20

Q: Can I replace 275/35R20 with 245/40R20?

245/40R20 is a safe swap for 275/35R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.50%.

245/40R20 is a safe swap for 275/35R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.50%.

275/35R20 27.58" · 245/40R20 27.72" · drawn to scale

Side by side

	275/35R20	245/40R20	Difference
Overall diameter	27.58"	27.72"	+0.14" (+0.50%)
Section width	275 mm	245 mm	-30 mm
Sidewall	3.79"	3.86"	+0.07"
Rim	20"	20"	same
Circumference	86.6"	87.1"	+0.4"
Revs per mile	731	728	-4
Ride height	—	—	+0.07"
Speedometer reads 60 mph	60.0	60.3	+0.3 mph

Speedometer and odometer

With 245/40R20 on a car calibrated for 275/35R20, the speedometer reads 59.7 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.5%.

Speedo shows	Actual speed
30 mph	30.1 mph
45 mph	45.2 mph
60 mph	60.3 mph
70 mph	70.3 mph
80 mph	80.4 mph

Other sizes close to 275/35R20

Questions

Can I replace 275/35R20 with 245/40R20?

245/40R20 is a safe swap for 275/35R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.50%.

What's the difference between 275/35R20 and 245/40R20?

245/40R20 is 0.14" taller and 30 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.07". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.3 mph.

Will 245/40R20 fit on 275/35R20 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.