CarSpecsHQ

305/30R21 vs 235/45R20

235/45R20 is a safe swap for 305/30R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.43%.

21" → 20"
305/30R21 28.20" · 235/45R20 28.33" · drawn to scale

Side by side

305/30R21235/45R20Difference
Overall diameter28.20"28.33"+0.12" (+0.43%)
Section width305 mm235 mm-70 mm
Sidewall3.60"4.16"+0.56"
Rim21"20"-1"
Circumference88.6"89.0"+0.4"
Revs per mile715712-3
Ride height——+0.06"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.3+0.3 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.3 mph

With 235/45R20 on a car calibrated for 305/30R21, the speedometer reads 59.7 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 mph60.3 mph
70 mph70.3 mph
80 mph80.3 mph

Other sizes close to 305/30R21

Questions

Can I replace 305/30R21 with 235/45R20?

235/45R20 is a safe swap for 305/30R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.43%.

What's the difference between 305/30R21 and 235/45R20?

235/45R20 is 0.12" taller and 70 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.56". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.3 mph.

Will 235/45R20 fit on 305/30R21 wheels?

No — 305/30R21 needs a 21" wheel and 235/45R20 a 20" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.