CarSpecsHQ

255/55R20 vs 275/55R20

275/55R20 is a safe swap for 255/55R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.79%.

20" rim
255/55R20 31.04" · 275/55R20 31.91" · drawn to scale

Side by side

255/55R20275/55R20Difference
Overall diameter31.04"31.91"+0.87" (+2.79%)
Section width255 mm275 mm+20 mm
Sidewall5.52"5.95"+0.43"
Rim20"20"same
Circumference97.5"100.2"+2.7"
Revs per mile650632-18
Ride height——+0.43"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.7+1.7 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.7 mph

With 275/55R20 on a car calibrated for 255/55R20, the speedometer reads 58.4 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.8%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.8 mph
45 mph46.3 mph
60 mph61.7 mph
70 mph72.0 mph
80 mph82.2 mph

Other sizes close to 255/55R20

Questions

Can I replace 255/55R20 with 275/55R20?

275/55R20 is a safe swap for 255/55R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.79%.

What's the difference between 255/55R20 and 275/55R20?

275/55R20 is 0.87" taller and 20 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.43". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.7 mph.

Will 275/55R20 fit on 255/55R20 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.