CarSpecsHQ

275/50R20 vs 285/45R21

285/45R21 is a safe swap for 275/50R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.88%.

20" → 21"
275/50R20 30.83" · 285/45R21 31.10" · drawn to scale

Side by side

275/50R20285/45R21Difference
Overall diameter30.83"31.10"+0.27" (+0.88%)
Section width275 mm285 mm+10 mm
Sidewall5.41"5.05"-0.36"
Rim20"21"+1"
Circumference96.8"97.7"+0.9"
Revs per mile654649-6
Ride height——+0.14"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.5+0.5 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.5 mph

With 285/45R21 on a car calibrated for 275/50R20, the speedometer reads 59.5 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.9%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.3 mph
45 mph45.4 mph
60 mph60.5 mph
70 mph70.6 mph
80 mph80.7 mph

Other sizes close to 275/50R20

Questions

Can I replace 275/50R20 with 285/45R21?

285/45R21 is a safe swap for 275/50R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.88%.

What's the difference between 275/50R20 and 285/45R21?

285/45R21 is 0.27" taller and 10 mm wider; the sidewall is -0.36". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.5 mph.

Will 285/45R21 fit on 275/50R20 wheels?

No — 275/50R20 needs a 20" wheel and 285/45R21 a 21" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.