CarSpecsHQ

255/40R20 vs 265/40R20

265/40R20 is a safe swap for 255/40R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.12%.

20" rim
255/40R20 28.03" · 265/40R20 28.35" · drawn to scale

Side by side

255/40R20265/40R20Difference
Overall diameter28.03"28.35"+0.31" (+1.12%)
Section width255 mm265 mm+10 mm
Sidewall4.02"4.17"+0.16"
Rim20"20"same
Circumference88.1"89.1"+1.0"
Revs per mile719711-8
Ride height——+0.16"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.7+0.7 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.7 mph

With 265/40R20 on a car calibrated for 255/40R20, the speedometer reads 59.3 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.1%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.3 mph
45 mph45.5 mph
60 mph60.7 mph
70 mph70.8 mph
80 mph80.9 mph

Other sizes close to 255/40R20

Questions

Can I replace 255/40R20 with 265/40R20?

265/40R20 is a safe swap for 255/40R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.12%.

What's the difference between 255/40R20 and 265/40R20?

265/40R20 is 0.31" taller and 10 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.16". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.7 mph.

Will 265/40R20 fit on 255/40R20 wheels?

Both use a 20" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 265 mm tire and the fender clearance.