CarSpecsHQ

305/40R20 vs 275/45R20

275/45R20 is a safe swap for 305/40R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.47%.

20" rim
305/40R20 29.61" · 275/45R20 29.74" · drawn to scale

Side by side

305/40R20275/45R20Difference
Overall diameter29.61"29.74"+0.14" (+0.47%)
Section width305 mm275 mm-30 mm
Sidewall4.80"4.87"+0.07"
Rim20"20"same
Circumference93.0"93.4"+0.4"
Revs per mile681678-3
Ride height——+0.07"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.3+0.3 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.3 mph

With 275/45R20 on a car calibrated for 305/40R20, the speedometer reads 59.7 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.5%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.1 mph
45 mph45.2 mph
60 mph60.3 mph
70 mph70.3 mph
80 mph80.4 mph

Other sizes close to 305/40R20

Questions

Can I replace 305/40R20 with 275/45R20?

275/45R20 is a safe swap for 305/40R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.47%.

What's the difference between 305/40R20 and 275/45R20?

275/45R20 is 0.14" taller and 30 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.07". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.3 mph.

Will 275/45R20 fit on 305/40R20 wheels?

Both use a 20" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 275 mm tire and the fender clearance.