CarSpecsHQ

255/40R20 vs 315/35R20

315/35R20 is a safe swap for 255/40R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.32%.

20" rim
255/40R20 28.03" · 315/35R20 28.68" · drawn to scale

Side by side

255/40R20315/35R20Difference
Overall diameter28.03"28.68"+0.65" (+2.32%)
Section width255 mm315 mm+60 mm
Sidewall4.02"4.34"+0.32"
Rim20"20"same
Circumference88.1"90.1"+2.0"
Revs per mile719703-16
Ride height——+0.32"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.4+1.4 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.4 mph

With 315/35R20 on a car calibrated for 255/40R20, the speedometer reads 58.6 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.3%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.7 mph
45 mph46.0 mph
60 mph61.4 mph
70 mph71.6 mph
80 mph81.9 mph

Other sizes close to 255/40R20

Questions

Can I replace 255/40R20 with 315/35R20?

315/35R20 is a safe swap for 255/40R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.32%.

What's the difference between 255/40R20 and 315/35R20?

315/35R20 is 0.65" taller and 60 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.32". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.4 mph.

Will 315/35R20 fit on 255/40R20 wheels?

Both use a 20" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 315 mm tire and the fender clearance.