CarSpecsHQ

275/40R20 vs 235/50R20

235/50R20 is a safe swap for 275/40R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.06%.

20" rim
275/40R20 28.66" · 235/50R20 29.25" · drawn to scale

Side by side

275/40R20235/50R20Difference
Overall diameter28.66"29.25"+0.59" (+2.06%)
Section width275 mm235 mm-40 mm
Sidewall4.33"4.63"+0.30"
Rim20"20"same
Circumference90.0"91.9"+1.9"
Revs per mile704689-14
Ride height——+0.30"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.2+1.2 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.2 mph

With 235/50R20 on a car calibrated for 275/40R20, the speedometer reads 58.8 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.1%.

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 275/40R20

Questions

Can I replace 275/40R20 with 235/50R20?

235/50R20 is a safe swap for 275/40R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.06%.

What's the difference between 275/40R20 and 235/50R20?

235/50R20 is 0.59" taller and 40 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.30". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.2 mph.

Will 235/50R20 fit on 275/40R20 wheels?

Both use a 20" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 235 mm tire and the fender clearance.