245/50R20 tires have a section width of 245 millimeters (mm), an aspect ratio of 50%, radial construction, and a 20-inch wheel diameter. This size is common on SUVs, crossovers, and some larger sedans, where drivers want a blend of comfort, stable handling, and a taller sidewall than low-profile 20-inch options. Before buying tires sized 245/50R20, converting measurements into inches, comparing it with similar sizes such as 245/60R18 and 265/50R20, and understanding interchangeability helps avoid wheel-fit issues and unintended changes to speedometer accuracy.
A 245/50R20 tire has a section width of 9.65 inches (≈ 9.6") and a sidewall height of 4.82 inches (≈ 4.8"). The overall diameter of a 245/50R20 tire is 29.65 inches (≈ 29.6"), and the circumference is approximately 93.13 inches (≈ 93.1"). The typical recommended rim width range for the 245/50R20 size is 7.0 to 8.5 inches. In inches, 245/50R20 can be represented as 29.65" × 9.65" R20.
How tall and wide are 245/50R20 tires?
A 245/50R20 tire is approximately 29.65 inches (753.00 mm) tall and 9.65 inches (245 mm) wide.
Well-regarded options in 245/50R20 include:
Comparing 245/50R20 with 245/60R18 and 265/50R20 shows how changes in wheel diameter, sidewall height, and width influence overall diameter, ride comfort, and whether the swap is physically possible without changing wheels.
The main differences between 245/50R20 and 245/60R18 are the aspect ratio and rim diameter. The 245/50R20 fits a 20-inch wheel, while the 245/60R18 fits an 18-inch wheel.
The 245/50R20 has a sidewall height of 122.50 mm (≈ 4.82") and an overall diameter of 753.00 mm (≈ 29.65"). The 245/60R18 has a sidewall height of 147.00 mm (≈ 5.79") and an overall diameter of 751.20 mm (≈ 29.57").
This means the 245/60R18 has a 24.50 mm (≈ 0.96") taller sidewall, while the overall diameter difference is only 1.80 mm (≈ 0.07").
Tire Dimension | 245/50R20 (mm & in) | 245/60R18 (mm & in) | Difference (mm & in) | Percentage Difference |
Section Width | 245 mm (≈ 9.65") | 245 mm (≈ 9.65") | 0 | 0% (vs width) |
Sidewall Height | 122.50 mm (≈ 4.82") | 147.00 mm (≈ 5.79") | 24.50 mm (≈ 0.96") | ≈ 20.00% (vs sidewall) |
Overall Diameter | 753.00 mm (≈ 29.65") | 751.20 mm (≈ 29.57") | 1.80 mm (≈ 0.07") | ≈ 0.24% (vs diameter) |
Circumference | 2365.62 mm (≈ 93.13") | 2359.96 mm (≈ 92.91") | 5.65 mm (≈ 0.22") | ≈ 0.24% (vs diameter) |
Radius | 376.50 mm (≈ 14.82") | 375.60 mm (≈ 14.79") | 0.90 mm (≈ 0.04") | ≈ 0.24% (vs diameter) |
Rim Diameter | 20" | 18" | — | — |
Typical Rim Width Range | 7.0 - 8.5" | 7.0 - 8.5" | — | — |
No. A 245/60R18 tire cannot be mounted on a 20-inch rim, so it isn’t interchangeable without changing wheels. If you switch to 18-inch wheels, the overall diameter difference is only ≈ 0.24%, so speedometer accuracy and calibration remain essentially unchanged, while the taller sidewall typically improves ride comfort and impact absorption. Moving to the 18-inch setup gives you nearly an extra inch (0.97") of rubber between the road and the rim. This significantly improves the vehicle's ability to absorb impacts from potholes and cracks.
The only potential "deal-breaker" for this swap is whether the 18-inch wheels will fit over your brake calipers. Vehicles that come with 20-inch wheels sometimes have larger "performance" brakes that require the extra space inside the wheel. If your vehicle has a lower trim level that offers 18-inch wheels from the factory, the 245/60R18 setup will almost certainly fit.
The main difference between 245/50R20 and 265/50R20 is the section width. Both fit 20-inch wheels and share the same 50% aspect ratio, but the wider 265/50R20 also increases sidewall height and overall diameter.
The 245/50R20 is 245 mm wide with an overall diameter of 753.00 mm (≈ 29.65"). The 265/50R20 is 265 mm wide, has a sidewall height of 132.50 mm (≈ 5.22"), and an overall diameter of 773.00 mm (≈ 30.43").
This means the 265/50R20 is 20 mm wider, has a 10.00 mm (≈ 0.39") taller sidewall, and is 20.00 mm (≈ 0.79") larger overall.
Tire Dimension | 245/50R20 (mm & in) | 265/50R20 (mm & in) | Difference (mm & in) | Percentage Difference |
Section Width | 245 mm (≈ 9.65") | 265 mm (≈ 10.43") | 20 mm (≈ 0.79") | ≈ 8.16% (vs width) |
Sidewall Height | 122.50 mm (≈ 4.82") | 132.50 mm (≈ 5.22") | 10.00 mm (≈ 0.39") | ≈ 8.16% (vs sidewall) |
Overall Diameter | 753.00 mm (≈ 29.65") | 773.00 mm (≈ 30.43") | 20.00 mm (≈ 0.79") | ≈ 2.66% (vs diameter) |
Circumference | 2365.62 mm (≈ 93.13") | 2428.45 mm (≈ 95.61") | 62.83 mm (≈ 2.47") | ≈ 2.66% (vs diameter) |
Radius | 376.50 mm (≈ 14.82") | 386.50 mm (≈ 15.22") | 10.00 mm (≈ 0.39") | ≈ 2.66% (vs diameter) |
Rim Diameter | 20" | 20" | — | — |
Typical Rim Width Range | 7.0 - 8.5" | 7.5 - 9.5" | — | — |
Yes, in many cases, this is typically within tolerance, because the overall diameter increase is ≈ 2.66% (generally inside the commonly cited ±3% guideline). Your speedometer would read slightly slow (you’d be traveling a bit faster than indicated), and the vehicle would sit about 0.39" higher due to the larger radius. The car’s computer can typically adapt without triggering error codes or "limp mode."
The bigger practical consideration is width: you must confirm your wheel width is appropriate (265/50R20 often prefers wider rims up to 9.5 ‘’) and that there’s enough clearance at full steering lock and suspension compression. On a 7.0-inch rim, the tire may "pinch" too much, leading to poor handling and uneven wear.
If you plan to switch to 265/50R20 instead of 245/50R20, well-regarded options in this size include:
245/50R20 tires have a section width of 245 millimeters (mm), an aspect ratio of 50%, radial construction, and a 20-inch wheel diameter. This size is common on SUVs, crossovers, and some larger sedans, where drivers want a blend of comfort, stable handling, and a taller sidewall than low-profile 20-inch options. Before buying tires sized 245/50R20, converting measurements into inches, comparing it with similar sizes such as 245/60R18 and 265/50R20, and understanding interchangeability helps avoid wheel-fit issues and unintended changes to speedometer accuracy.
A 245/50R20 tire has a section width of 9.65 inches (≈ 9.6") and a sidewall height of 4.82 inches (≈ 4.8"). The overall diameter of a 245/50R20 tire is 29.65 inches (≈ 29.6"), and the circumference is approximately 93.13 inches (≈ 93.1"). The typical recommended rim width range for the 245/50R20 size is 7.0 to 8.5 inches. In inches, 245/50R20 can be represented as 29.65" × 9.65" R20.
How tall and wide are 245/50R20 tires?
A 245/50R20 tire is approximately 29.65 inches (753.00 mm) tall and 9.65 inches (245 mm) wide.
Well-regarded options in 245/50R20 include:
Comparing 245/50R20 with 245/60R18 and 265/50R20 shows how changes in wheel diameter, sidewall height, and width influence overall diameter, ride comfort, and whether the swap is physically possible without changing wheels.
The main differences between 245/50R20 and 245/60R18 are the aspect ratio and rim diameter. The 245/50R20 fits a 20-inch wheel, while the 245/60R18 fits an 18-inch wheel.
The 245/50R20 has a sidewall height of 122.50 mm (≈ 4.82") and an overall diameter of 753.00 mm (≈ 29.65"). The 245/60R18 has a sidewall height of 147.00 mm (≈ 5.79") and an overall diameter of 751.20 mm (≈ 29.57").
This means the 245/60R18 has a 24.50 mm (≈ 0.96") taller sidewall, while the overall diameter difference is only 1.80 mm (≈ 0.07").
Tire Dimension | 245/50R20 (mm & in) | 245/60R18 (mm & in) | Difference (mm & in) | Percentage Difference |
Section Width | 245 mm (≈ 9.65") | 245 mm (≈ 9.65") | 0 | 0% (vs width) |
Sidewall Height | 122.50 mm (≈ 4.82") | 147.00 mm (≈ 5.79") | 24.50 mm (≈ 0.96") | ≈ 20.00% (vs sidewall) |
Overall Diameter | 753.00 mm (≈ 29.65") | 751.20 mm (≈ 29.57") | 1.80 mm (≈ 0.07") | ≈ 0.24% (vs diameter) |
Circumference | 2365.62 mm (≈ 93.13") | 2359.96 mm (≈ 92.91") | 5.65 mm (≈ 0.22") | ≈ 0.24% (vs diameter) |
Radius | 376.50 mm (≈ 14.82") | 375.60 mm (≈ 14.79") | 0.90 mm (≈ 0.04") | ≈ 0.24% (vs diameter) |
Rim Diameter | 20" | 18" | — | — |
Typical Rim Width Range | 7.0 - 8.5" | 7.0 - 8.5" | — | — |
No. A 245/60R18 tire cannot be mounted on a 20-inch rim, so it isn’t interchangeable without changing wheels. If you switch to 18-inch wheels, the overall diameter difference is only ≈ 0.24%, so speedometer accuracy and calibration remain essentially unchanged, while the taller sidewall typically improves ride comfort and impact absorption. Moving to the 18-inch setup gives you nearly an extra inch (0.97") of rubber between the road and the rim. This significantly improves the vehicle's ability to absorb impacts from potholes and cracks.
The only potential "deal-breaker" for this swap is whether the 18-inch wheels will fit over your brake calipers. Vehicles that come with 20-inch wheels sometimes have larger "performance" brakes that require the extra space inside the wheel. If your vehicle has a lower trim level that offers 18-inch wheels from the factory, the 245/60R18 setup will almost certainly fit.
The main difference between 245/50R20 and 265/50R20 is the section width. Both fit 20-inch wheels and share the same 50% aspect ratio, but the wider 265/50R20 also increases sidewall height and overall diameter.
The 245/50R20 is 245 mm wide with an overall diameter of 753.00 mm (≈ 29.65"). The 265/50R20 is 265 mm wide, has a sidewall height of 132.50 mm (≈ 5.22"), and an overall diameter of 773.00 mm (≈ 30.43").
This means the 265/50R20 is 20 mm wider, has a 10.00 mm (≈ 0.39") taller sidewall, and is 20.00 mm (≈ 0.79") larger overall.
Tire Dimension | 245/50R20 (mm & in) | 265/50R20 (mm & in) | Difference (mm & in) | Percentage Difference |
Section Width | 245 mm (≈ 9.65") | 265 mm (≈ 10.43") | 20 mm (≈ 0.79") | ≈ 8.16% (vs width) |
Sidewall Height | 122.50 mm (≈ 4.82") | 132.50 mm (≈ 5.22") | 10.00 mm (≈ 0.39") | ≈ 8.16% (vs sidewall) |
Overall Diameter | 753.00 mm (≈ 29.65") | 773.00 mm (≈ 30.43") | 20.00 mm (≈ 0.79") | ≈ 2.66% (vs diameter) |
Circumference | 2365.62 mm (≈ 93.13") | 2428.45 mm (≈ 95.61") | 62.83 mm (≈ 2.47") | ≈ 2.66% (vs diameter) |
Radius | 376.50 mm (≈ 14.82") | 386.50 mm (≈ 15.22") | 10.00 mm (≈ 0.39") | ≈ 2.66% (vs diameter) |
Rim Diameter | 20" | 20" | — | — |
Typical Rim Width Range | 7.0 - 8.5" | 7.5 - 9.5" | — | — |
Yes, in many cases, this is typically within tolerance, because the overall diameter increase is ≈ 2.66% (generally inside the commonly cited ±3% guideline). Your speedometer would read slightly slow (you’d be traveling a bit faster than indicated), and the vehicle would sit about 0.39" higher due to the larger radius. The car’s computer can typically adapt without triggering error codes or "limp mode."
The bigger practical consideration is width: you must confirm your wheel width is appropriate (265/50R20 often prefers wider rims up to 9.5 ‘’) and that there’s enough clearance at full steering lock and suspension compression. On a 7.0-inch rim, the tire may "pinch" too much, leading to poor handling and uneven wear.
If you plan to switch to 265/50R20 instead of 245/50R20, well-regarded options in this size include: