285/50R20 vs 245/50R20
New overall diameter
29.65″
was 31.22″
True speed at an indicated 60
57.0 mph
speedometer reads high
Revolutions per mile
680
was 646 · +34
Switching from 285/50R20 to 245/50R20? Everything that changes is below — sidewall, tread width, circumference, revolutions per mile and speedometer error at road speeds.
| Measurement | 285/50R20 | 245/50R20 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter | 31.22″ | 29.65″ | −1.57″ (−5.0%) |
| Sidewall height | 5.61″ (142.5 mm) | 4.82″ (122.5 mm) | −20.0 mm |
| Tread width | 285 mm | 245 mm | −40 mm |
| Circumference | 98.08″ | 93.13″ | −4.95″ |
| Revs per mile | 646 | 680 | +34 |
| Speedometer error | baseline | −5.0% | reads high |
Diameter overlay
285/50R20 245/50R20
Speedometer check
With 245/50R20 fitted, when the speedometer shows the indicated speed, your actual speed is:
25 mph shown
23.7 mph actual
35 mph shown
33.2 mph actual
45 mph shown
42.7 mph actual
55 mph shown
52.2 mph actual
65 mph shown
61.7 mph actual
75 mph shown
71.2 mph actual
Common questions
- Will 245/50R20 fit instead of 285/50R20?
- Not recommended. A 5.0% diameter change exceeds the 5% rule. Expect significant speedometer error, potential clearance and rubbing issues, and stress on ABS, stability control and drivetrain components. Your speedometer will read higher than your true speed. Overall diameter goes from 31.22″ to 29.65″, a change of −5.0%. 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 245/50R20?
- At an indicated 60 mph you would actually be travelling about 57.0 mph — a −5.0% error. The speedometer reads high, so you are going slower than it shows.
- What is the difference in revolutions per mile between 285/50R20 and 245/50R20?
- 285/50R20 turns roughly 646 revolutions per mile; 245/50R20 turns roughly 680. That is a change of +34 revolutions per mile, which is what shifts odometer and speedometer readings.