265/50R20 vs 265/45R21
New overall diameter
30.39″
was 30.43″
True speed at an indicated 60
59.9 mph
speedometer reads high
Revolutions per mile
664
was 663 · +1
Switching from 265/50R20 to 265/45R21? Everything that changes is below — sidewall, tread width, circumference, revolutions per mile and speedometer error at road speeds.
| Measurement | 265/50R20 | 265/45R21 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter | 30.43″ | 30.39″ | −0.04″ (−0.1%) |
| Sidewall height | 5.22″ (132.5 mm) | 4.69″ (119.3 mm) | −13.3 mm |
| Tread width | 265 mm | 265 mm | +0 mm |
| Circumference | 95.61″ | 95.47″ | −0.14″ |
| Revs per mile | 663 | 664 | +1 |
| Speedometer error | baseline | −0.1% | reads high |
Diameter overlay
265/50R20 265/45R21
Speedometer check
With 265/45R21 fitted, when the speedometer shows the indicated speed, your actual speed is:
25 mph shown
25.0 mph actual
35 mph shown
35.0 mph actual
45 mph shown
44.9 mph actual
55 mph shown
54.9 mph actual
65 mph shown
64.9 mph actual
75 mph shown
74.9 mph actual
Common questions
- Will 265/45R21 fit instead of 265/50R20?
- Good fit. Within the 3% rule — overall diameter changes only 0.1%. Speedometer calibration, ABS, traction control and gearing all stay in their intended range. Your speedometer will read higher than your true speed. Overall diameter goes from 30.43″ to 30.39″, a change of −0.1%. As a rule of thumb, under 3% is safe, 3–5% needs a clearance check, and over 5% is not recommended.
- How far off will my speedometer read on 265/45R21?
- At an indicated 60 mph you would actually be travelling about 59.9 mph — a −0.1% error. The speedometer reads high, so you are going slower than it shows.
- What is the difference in revolutions per mile between 265/50R20 and 265/45R21?
- 265/50R20 turns roughly 663 revolutions per mile; 265/45R21 turns roughly 664. That is a change of +1 revolutions per mile, which is what shifts odometer and speedometer readings.