CarSpecsHQ

285/40R21 vs 285/45R20

285/45R20 is a safe swap for 285/40R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.41%.

21" → 20"
285/40R21 29.98" · 285/45R20 30.10" · drawn to scale

Side by side

285/40R21285/45R20Difference
Overall diameter29.98"30.10"+0.12" (+0.41%)
Section width285 mm285 mm0 mm
Sidewall4.49"5.05"+0.56"
Rim21"20"-1"
Circumference94.2"94.6"+0.4"
Revs per mile673670-3
Ride height——+0.06"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.2+0.2 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.2 mph

With 285/45R20 on a car calibrated for 285/40R21, the speedometer reads 59.8 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.4%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.1 mph
45 mph45.2 mph
60 mph60.2 mph
70 mph70.3 mph
80 mph80.3 mph

Other sizes close to 285/40R21

Questions

Can I replace 285/40R21 with 285/45R20?

285/45R20 is a safe swap for 285/40R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.41%.

What's the difference between 285/40R21 and 285/45R20?

285/45R20 is 0.12" taller and 0 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.56". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.2 mph.

Will 285/45R20 fit on 285/40R21 wheels?

No — 285/40R21 needs a 21" wheel and 285/45R20 a 20" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.