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33x12.50R18 vs 35x12.50R20

35x12.50R20 is +2.00″ in overall diameter and 0 mm in section width against 33x12.50R18 — a diameter change of +6.06%, which breaks the ±3% substitution rule. An indicated 60 mph would really be 63.6 mph.

Outside 3%

Every dimension

Difference between 33x12.50R18 and 35x12.50R20
Dimension33x12.50R1835x12.50R20Change
Overall diameter33.00″ → 35.00″+2.00″ (+6.06%)
Section width318 mm → 318 mm0 mm (0.00%)
Sidewall height190.5 mm → 190.5 mm+0.0 mm
Rolling circumference103.67″ → 109.96″+6.28″
Revolutions per mile611.2 → 576.2−34.9
Axle height / clearance16.50″ → 17.50″+1.00″
33x12.50R18318 mm
35x12.50R20318 mm
Scale drawing comparing 33x12.50R18 and 35x12.50R20, both standing on the same ground line
33x12.50R18 33.00″35x12.50R20 35.00″

Which is taller, 33x12.50R18 or 35x12.50R20?

35x12.50R20 is the taller of the two, at 35.00″ against 33.00″. The gap is 2.00 inches, or 50.8 mm.

One of these is a flotation size, which states its overall diameter on the sidewall, while the metric size only implies one — so the comparison is between a stated height and a derived one. 33x12.50R18 is 317.5 mm wide with a 190.5 mm sidewall on a 18 wheel; 35x12.50R20 is 317.5 mm wide with a 190.5 mm sidewall on a 20 wheel.

What the speedometer will read

Indicated versus actual speed after the size change
Speedometer readsActual speedError
25 mph26.5 mph+1.5 mph
40 mph42.4 mph+2.4 mph
55 mph58.3 mph+3.3 mph
60 mph63.6 mph+3.6 mph
70 mph74.2 mph+4.2 mph
80 mph84.8 mph+4.8 mph

Fitting 35x12.50R20 in place of 33x12.50R18 multiplies every speed and distance reading by 1.06061. Over 10,000 indicated miles the odometer is out by +606 miles.

Effective gearing moves by the same proportion. A vehicle with 3.73 axles running 33x12.50R18 would need 3.96 to keep the same engine speed on 35x12.50R20. Work it out for your own axle ratio.

Full specification of each size

33x12.50R18

Derived dimensions for 33x12.50R18
DimensionMetricImperial
Section width317.5 mm12.50″
Sidewall height190.5 mm7.50″
Wheel diameter457.2 mm18.0″
Overall diameter838.2 mm33.00″
Rolling circumference2,633.3 mm103.67″
Revolutions per mile379.8 / km611.2 / mile
Measuring rim (estimate)254 mm10″

35x12.50R20

Derived dimensions for 35x12.50R20
DimensionMetricImperial
Section width317.5 mm12.50″
Sidewall height190.5 mm7.50″
Wheel diameter508.0 mm20.0″
Overall diameter889.0 mm35.00″
Rolling circumference2,792.9 mm109.96″
Revolutions per mile358.1 / km576.2 / mile
Measuring rim (estimate)254 mm10″

Rim widths differ too: 33x12.50R18 is designed for 9″11″ and 35x12.50R20 for 9″11″. They share a measuring rim, so one wheel can usually carry either.

Can you swap one for the other?

Outside the ±3% rule

The diameter difference of +6.06% exceeds the ±3% rule of thumb. Expect a speedometer error of about 3.6 mph at an indicated 60, and an odometer that is off by the same proportion. It is a common swap even so — it just needs the instruments recalibrated to stay honest.

Neither figure says anything about physical fitment. Whether 35x12.50R20 clears the strut, the fender liner and the steering stops depends on wheel offset and suspension geometry that a size code does not encode. For maintenance rather than sizing, Car Basics covers tire care.

33x12.50R18 vs 35x12.50R20: common questions

Is 35x12.50R20 bigger than 33x12.50R18?
35x12.50R20 is 2.00 inches taller and 0 mm wider. In overall diameter that is +6.06%, which exceeds the ±3% rule of thumb for a substitution.
How much will 35x12.50R20 throw off my speedometer?
Every reading scales by 1.06061. An indicated 60 mph becomes 63.6 mph, and every 100 miles on the odometer is really 106.1 miles.
How much does 35x12.50R20 change ground clearance over 33x12.50R18?
The axle centerline moves by 1.00 inches — half the diameter change, because half the extra height sits below the hub and half above it.
Will 35x12.50R20 fit where 33x12.50R18 fits?
Nothing derived from the size code can answer that. Clearance depends on wheel offset, suspension travel and body dimensions that no tire size contains. This page tells you exactly what changes dimensionally, which is the part that can be calculated.

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