TireSizeCheck

245/50R20 vs 265/45R20

Fitment assessment

Fitment not determined

Diameter change

−0.9%

Overall diameter changes 0.9%; section width changes 20 mm. Diameter comparison alone cannot confirm fitment. Verify the vehicle maker's approved rim width, tire load and speed ratings, and clearance at full steering lock and suspension compression. Confirm any possible ABS, traction-control, speedometer, and drivetrain effects with the vehicle maker or a qualified tire professional.

New overall diameter

29.39″

was 29.65″

True speed at an indicated 60

59.5 mph

your speedo reads high

Revolutions per mile

686

was 680, +6

Measurement 245/50R20 265/45R20 Change
Overall diameter 29.65″ 29.39″ −0.26″ (−0.9%)
Sidewall height 4.82″ (122.5 mm) 4.69″ (119.3 mm) −3.3 mm
Tread width 245 mm 265 mm +20 mm
Circumference 93.13″ 92.33″ −0.80″
Revs per mile 680 686 +6
Speedometer error baseline −0.9% reads high

Diameter overlay

245/50R20 265/45R20

Speedometer check

With 265/45R20 fitted, when the speedometer shows the indicated speed, your actual speed is:

25 mph shown

24.8 mph actual

35 mph shown

34.7 mph actual

45 mph shown

44.6 mph actual

55 mph shown

54.5 mph actual

65 mph shown

64.4 mph actual

75 mph shown

74.4 mph actual

Common questions

Will 265/45R20 fit instead of 245/50R20?
Overall diameter changes 0.9%; section width changes 20 mm. Diameter comparison alone cannot confirm fitment. Verify the vehicle maker's approved rim width, tire load and speed ratings, and clearance at full steering lock and suspension compression. Confirm any possible ABS, traction-control, speedometer, and drivetrain effects with the vehicle maker or a qualified tire professional. Overall diameter goes from 29.65″ to 29.39″, a change of −0.9%. The rule of thumb most shops use: under 3% is fine, 3 to 5% needs a clearance check, over 5% needs recalibration.
How far off will my speedometer read on 265/45R20?
At an indicated 60 mph you are really doing about 59.5 mph, a −0.9% error. The speedometer reads high, so you are going slower than it shows.
What is the difference in revolutions per mile between 245/50R20 and 265/45R20?
245/50R20 turns about 680 times per mile and 265/45R20 turns about 686, a difference of +6. Your speedometer and odometer both count rotations, so this number is what throws them off.