CarSpecsHQ

255/45R20 vs 265/45R20

265/45R20 is a safe swap for 255/45R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.22%.

20" rim
255/45R20 29.04" · 265/45R20 29.39" · drawn to scale

Side by side

255/45R20265/45R20Difference
Overall diameter29.04"29.39"+0.35" (+1.22%)
Section width255 mm265 mm+10 mm
Sidewall4.52"4.69"+0.18"
Rim20"20"same
Circumference91.2"92.3"+1.1"
Revs per mile695686-8
Ride height——+0.18"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.7+0.7 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.7 mph

With 265/45R20 on a car calibrated for 255/45R20, the speedometer reads 59.3 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.2%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.4 mph
45 mph45.5 mph
60 mph60.7 mph
70 mph70.9 mph
80 mph81.0 mph

Other sizes close to 255/45R20

Questions

Can I replace 255/45R20 with 265/45R20?

265/45R20 is a safe swap for 255/45R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.22%.

What's the difference between 255/45R20 and 265/45R20?

265/45R20 is 0.35" taller and 10 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.18". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.7 mph.

Will 265/45R20 fit on 255/45R20 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.