235/45R21 vs 235/50R20 tire size comparison

Change either size and everything below updates.

Start from your car make, model, year
Current tire size
/R
xR
New tire size
/R
xR

Width in mm · aspect = sidewall height as a % of width · rim in inches

Flotation (LT) sizes, all in inches: overall diameter × section width, then rim

235/45R21: 29.33″ (745 mm) tall, 9.25″ (235 mm) wide, sidewall 4.16″ (106 mm) — 688 revolutions per mile.

Well within tolerance

−0.26% diameter

The overall diameter changes by less than 1.5%, so speedometer error is negligible and ride height barely moves.

  • Needs 20″ wheels: this tire does not fit your 21″ rims.

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Measurement235/45R21235/50R20Diff%
Overall diameter29.33″745 mm29.25″743 mm−0.07″−0.3%
Section width235.0 mm235.0 mm0.0 mm0.0%
Sidewall height105.8 mm117.5 mm+11.8 mm+11.1%
Rim diameter21″20″−1″−4.8%
Circumference92.13″2340 mm91.90″2334 mm−0.24″−0.3%
Revolutions per mileturns per distance; drives the odometer688427 /km689428 /km+2+0.3%
Ride height change——−0.04″ −1.0 mm

Speedometer reading

Speedo shows
60mph
97 km/h
Actual speed
59.8mph
96 km/h

Overlay

235/45R21235/50R20

Plus sizing: 235/45R21 on smaller or bigger wheels

Sizes fitted to cars that keep the overall diameter within 3% of 235/45R21 on a rim one inch smaller or up to two inches bigger, closest first.

RimSizeDiameterChangeCompare
R20 (−1) 235/50R20 29.25″ −0.3% Compare
265/45R20 29.39″ +0.2% Compare
R22 (+1) 265/35R22 29.30″ −0.1% Compare
225/40R22 29.09″ −0.8% Compare

How to use the tire size calculator

Put your current tire size — width, aspect ratio and rim diameter — into the first form, then your desired size into the second. You’ll get the difference between the new and the old size, plus the speedometer reading difference and your actual speed on the new set. Both metric and flotation (LT inch) sizes are supported.

The calculator helps you decide whether a set of tires and wheels will fit your car. To compare tires by brand and model instead, use our tire comparison tool; to look up factory sizes, browse by car make.

Changing wheels too? The wheel offset calculator shows how far a new wheel width and offset move the tire toward the suspension and the fender.

Reading a tire size

225/45R17
225
Section width in millimetres
45
Aspect ratio — sidewall height as a % of width
R
Radial construction
17
Rim diameter in inches

Full guide to the tire sidewall →

Sizes often compared with 235/45R21