TireSizeCheck

285/50R20 vs 245/50R20

Fit verdict

Too big a jump

Diameter change

−5.0%

5.0% is past the 5% mark, which is where this stops being a tire choice and starts being a project. Expect rubbing, meaningful speedometer error, and extra load on ABS, stability control and the drivetrain. Recalibration is the usual fix. Your speedometer will read high, so you are going slower than it says.

New overall diameter

29.65″

was 31.22″

True speed at an indicated 60

57.0 mph

your speedo reads high

Revolutions per mile

680

was 646, +34

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?
5.0% is past the 5% mark, which is where this stops being a tire choice and starts being a project. Expect rubbing, meaningful speedometer error, and extra load on ABS, stability control and the drivetrain. Recalibration is the usual fix. Your speedometer will read high, so you are going slower than it says. Overall diameter goes from 31.22″ to 29.65″, a change of −5.0%. 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 245/50R20?
At an indicated 60 mph you are really doing 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 about 646 times per mile and 245/50R20 turns about 680, a difference of +34. Your speedometer and odometer both count rotations, so this number is what throws them off.