CarSpecsHQ

255/50R20 vs 275/50R20

275/50R20 is a safe swap for 255/50R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.62%.

20" rim
255/50R20 30.04" · 275/50R20 30.83" · drawn to scale

Side by side

255/50R20275/50R20Difference
Overall diameter30.04"30.83"+0.79" (+2.62%)
Section width255 mm275 mm+20 mm
Sidewall5.02"5.41"+0.39"
Rim20"20"same
Circumference94.4"96.8"+2.5"
Revs per mile671654-17
Ride height——+0.39"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.6+1.6 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.6 mph

With 275/50R20 on a car calibrated for 255/50R20, the speedometer reads 58.5 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.6%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.8 mph
45 mph46.2 mph
60 mph61.6 mph
70 mph71.8 mph
80 mph82.1 mph

Other sizes close to 255/50R20

Questions

Can I replace 255/50R20 with 275/50R20?

275/50R20 is a safe swap for 255/50R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.62%.

What's the difference between 255/50R20 and 275/50R20?

275/50R20 is 0.79" taller and 20 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.39". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.6 mph.

Will 275/50R20 fit on 255/50R20 wheels?

Both use a 20" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 275 mm tire and the fender clearance.