Question 1

Which tire is taller, 305/40 R22 or 265/50 R20?

Accepted Answer

305/40 R22 is taller by 29.8 mm (3.71%) compared with 265/50 R20.

Question 2

What is the diameter difference between 305/40 R22 and 265/50 R20?

Accepted Answer

305/40 R22 measures 803 mm overall diameter, 265/50 R20 measures 773 mm — a difference of 29.8 mm (3.71%).

Question 3

How much speedometer error does this change create?

Accepted Answer

Switching from 305/40 R22 to 265/50 R20 changes the speedometer reading by -3.71%. At an indicated 100 km/h, your true speed becomes about 96.3 km/h.

Question 4

Is 265/50 R20 a safe replacement for 305/40 R22?

Accepted Answer

Between 3% and 5% diameter difference — speedometer drift is noticeable. Consider recalibration and confirm clearance with your vehicle's manufacturer specification.

Question 5

What else should I check before changing tire size?

Accepted Answer

Beyond diameter and speedometer error, verify wheel offset (ET), rim width, hub bore, load index, brake and suspension clearance, and your vehicle's manufacturer specification. Local regulations may also limit how far you can deviate from OEM.

Metric	305/40 R22	265/50 R20	Difference
Overall diameter	802.8 mm	773.0 mm	-29.8 mm (-3.71%)
Sidewall height	122.0 mm	132.5 mm	+10.5 mm
Circumference	2.522 m	2.428 m	-93.6 mm
Revs / km	396.5	411.8	+15.3
Ground clearance	reference	-14.9 mm	-14.9 mm
Speedometer @ 100 km/h	100.0 km/h	96.3 km/h	-3.71 km/h

305/40 R22 vs 265/50 R20

Detailed comparison

Verdict: warning

Related comparisons

Frequently asked questions