CarSpecsHQ

305/50R20 vs 265/60R20

265/60R20 is a safe swap for 305/50R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.60%.

20" rim
305/50R20 32.01" · 265/60R20 32.52" · drawn to scale

Side by side

305/50R20265/60R20Difference
Overall diameter32.01"32.52"+0.51" (+1.60%)
Section width305 mm265 mm-40 mm
Sidewall6.00"6.26"+0.26"
Rim20"20"same
Circumference100.6"102.2"+1.6"
Revs per mile630620-10
Ride height——+0.26"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.0+1.0 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.0 mph

With 265/60R20 on a car calibrated for 305/50R20, the speedometer reads 59.1 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.6%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.5 mph
45 mph45.7 mph
60 mph61.0 mph
70 mph71.1 mph
80 mph81.3 mph

Other sizes close to 305/50R20

Questions

Can I replace 305/50R20 with 265/60R20?

265/60R20 is a safe swap for 305/50R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.60%.

What's the difference between 305/50R20 and 265/60R20?

265/60R20 is 0.51" taller and 40 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.26". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.0 mph.

Will 265/60R20 fit on 305/50R20 wheels?

Both use a 20" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 265 mm tire and the fender clearance.