TireSizeCheck

305/60R18 vs 305/50R20

Fit verdict

Good fit

Diameter change

−1.2%

Within the 3% rule — overall diameter changes only 1.2%. Speedometer calibration, ABS, traction control and gearing all stay in their intended range. Your speedometer will read higher than your true speed.

New overall diameter

32.01″

was 32.41″

True speed at an indicated 60

59.3 mph

speedometer reads high

Revolutions per mile

630

was 622 · +8

Switching from 305/60R18 to 305/50R20? Everything that changes is below — sidewall, tread width, circumference, revolutions per mile and speedometer error at road speeds.

Measurement 305/60R18 305/50R20 Change
Overall diameter 32.41″ 32.01″ −0.40″ (−1.2%)
Sidewall height 7.20″ (183.0 mm) 6.00″ (152.5 mm) −30.5 mm
Tread width 305 mm 305 mm +0 mm
Circumference 101.82″ 100.56″ −1.26″
Revs per mile 622 630 +8
Speedometer error baseline −1.2% reads high

Diameter overlay

305/60R18 305/50R20

Speedometer check

With 305/50R20 fitted, when the speedometer shows the indicated speed, your actual speed is:

25 mph shown

24.7 mph actual

35 mph shown

34.6 mph actual

45 mph shown

44.4 mph actual

55 mph shown

54.3 mph actual

65 mph shown

64.2 mph actual

75 mph shown

74.1 mph actual

Common questions

Will 305/50R20 fit instead of 305/60R18?
Good fit. Within the 3% rule — overall diameter changes only 1.2%. 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 32.41″ to 32.01″, a change of −1.2%. 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 305/50R20?
At an indicated 60 mph you would actually be travelling about 59.3 mph — a −1.2% error. The speedometer reads high, so you are going slower than it shows.
What is the difference in revolutions per mile between 305/60R18 and 305/50R20?
305/60R18 turns roughly 622 revolutions per mile; 305/50R20 turns roughly 630. That is a change of +8 revolutions per mile, which is what shifts odometer and speedometer readings.