What is the diameter difference between 245/45R18 and 265/35R20?

245/45R18 has an overall diameter of 26.68 inches (678 mm). 265/35R20 is 27.3 inches (694 mm). That's a 0.62 inch (16 mm) difference — 265/35R20 is taller.

Will 265/35R20 cause speedometer error on a car fitted with 245/45R18?

Swapping 245/45R18 for 265/35R20 produces a speedometer error of about 2.3%. Your speedometer will read lower than your actual speed — a 60 mph indicated reading is really 61.4 mph. Anything under 3% is usually acceptable without recalibration.

How many revolutions per mile does each size do?

245/45R18 turns 756 revs per mile. 265/35R20 turns 739 revs per mile. Taller tyres turn fewer times per mile, which lowers effective final-drive ratio.

What's the sidewall height difference?

245/45R18 has a sidewall of 110 mm (4.34 in). 265/35R20 sidewall is 93 mm (3.65 in). Lower-profile sidewalls give sharper steering response but less bump compliance.

Is 265/35R20 a safe plus-size upgrade from 245/45R18?

A plus-size upgrade is considered safe when overall diameter stays within ±3% — here the difference is 2.3%. This swap is within the typical safe range; speedometer and ABS calibration should remain close to factory.

Tire size comparison

245/45R18 vs 265/35R20

Overall diameter, sidewall, revs per mile, and speedometer error — 265/35R20 is the taller tire, with a 2.3% speedo delta when swapping.

245/45R18

26.68in

678 mm overall diameter

265/35R20

27.3in

694 mm overall diameter

Diameter Δ

0.62 in

Speedo error

2.3%

245/45R18 revs/mi

756

265/35R20 revs/mi

739

Within the ±3% overall-diameter band usually considered safe for plus-sizing — speedometer and ABS calibration should stay close to factory.

Full spec

Side by side

Metric	245/45R18	265/35R20
Section width	245 mm	265 mm
Aspect ratio	45	35
Wheel diameter	18″	20″
Sidewall height	110 mm	93 mm
Overall diameter	26.68 in (678 mm)	27.3 in (694 mm)
Circumference	83.82 in	85.78 in
Revolutions / mile	756	739

Other comparisons for these sizes

225/45R18 vs 245/45R18 235/45R18 vs 245/45R18 235/50R18 vs 245/45R18 245/40R18 vs 245/45R18 245/45R18 vs 255/40R19 245/45R18 vs 245/40R19 245/45R18 vs 255/45R18 245/45R18 vs 255/40R18 255/40R19 vs 265/35R20 245/35R20 vs 265/35R20

FAQ

Frequently asked

What is the diameter difference between 245/45R18 and 265/35R20?: 245/45R18 has an overall diameter of 26.68 inches (678 mm). 265/35R20 is 27.3 inches (694 mm). That's a 0.62 inch (16 mm) difference — 265/35R20 is taller.
Will 265/35R20 cause speedometer error on a car fitted with 245/45R18?: Swapping 245/45R18 for 265/35R20 produces a speedometer error of about 2.3%. Your speedometer will read lower than your actual speed — a 60 mph indicated reading is really 61.4 mph. Anything under 3% is usually acceptable without recalibration.
How many revolutions per mile does each size do?: 245/45R18 turns 756 revs per mile. 265/35R20 turns 739 revs per mile. Taller tyres turn fewer times per mile, which lowers effective final-drive ratio.
What's the sidewall height difference?: 245/45R18 has a sidewall of 110 mm (4.34 in). 265/35R20 sidewall is 93 mm (3.65 in). Lower-profile sidewalls give sharper steering response but less bump compliance.
Is 265/35R20 a safe plus-size upgrade from 245/45R18?: A plus-size upgrade is considered safe when overall diameter stays within ±3% — here the difference is 2.3%. This swap is within the typical safe range; speedometer and ABS calibration should remain close to factory.