CarSpecsHQ

255/45R20 vs 295/35R21

295/35R21 is a safe swap for 255/45R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.33%.

20" → 21"
255/45R20 29.04" · 295/35R21 29.13" · drawn to scale

Side by side

255/45R20295/35R21Difference
Overall diameter29.04"29.13"+0.09" (+0.33%)
Section width255 mm295 mm+40 mm
Sidewall4.52"4.06"-0.45"
Rim20"21"+1"
Circumference91.2"91.5"+0.3"
Revs per mile695692-2
Ride height——+0.05"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.2+0.2 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.2 mph

With 295/35R21 on a car calibrated for 255/45R20, the speedometer reads 59.8 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.3%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.1 mph
45 mph45.1 mph
60 mph60.2 mph
70 mph70.2 mph
80 mph80.3 mph

Other sizes close to 255/45R20

Questions

Can I replace 255/45R20 with 295/35R21?

295/35R21 is a safe swap for 255/45R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.33%.

What's the difference between 255/45R20 and 295/35R21?

295/35R21 is 0.09" taller and 40 mm wider; the sidewall is -0.45". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.2 mph.

Will 295/35R21 fit on 255/45R20 wheels?

No — 255/45R20 needs a 20" wheel and 295/35R21 a 21" wheel. This is a plus/minus-size swap that changes wheels too.