CarSpecsHQ

305/40R20 vs 235/55R20

235/55R20 is a safe swap for 305/40R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.93%.

20" rim
305/40R20 29.61" · 235/55R20 30.18" · drawn to scale

Side by side

305/40R20235/55R20Difference
Overall diameter29.61"30.18"+0.57" (+1.93%)
Section width305 mm235 mm-70 mm
Sidewall4.80"5.09"+0.29"
Rim20"20"same
Circumference93.0"94.8"+1.8"
Revs per mile681668-13
Ride height——+0.29"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.2+1.2 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.2 mph

With 235/55R20 on a car calibrated for 305/40R20, the speedometer reads 58.9 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.9%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.6 mph
45 mph45.9 mph
60 mph61.2 mph
70 mph71.3 mph
80 mph81.5 mph

Other sizes close to 305/40R20

Questions

Can I replace 305/40R20 with 235/55R20?

235/55R20 is a safe swap for 305/40R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.93%.

What's the difference between 305/40R20 and 235/55R20?

235/55R20 is 0.57" taller and 70 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.29". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.2 mph.

Will 235/55R20 fit on 305/40R20 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.