CarSpecsHQ

275/40R20 vs 265/45R20

265/45R20 is a safe swap for 275/40R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.54%.

20" rim
275/40R20 28.66" · 265/45R20 29.39" · drawn to scale

Side by side

275/40R20265/45R20Difference
Overall diameter28.66"29.39"+0.73" (+2.54%)
Section width275 mm265 mm-10 mm
Sidewall4.33"4.69"+0.36"
Rim20"20"same
Circumference90.0"92.3"+2.3"
Revs per mile704686-17
Ride height——+0.36"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.5+1.5 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.5 mph

With 265/45R20 on a car calibrated for 275/40R20, the speedometer reads 58.5 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.5%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.8 mph
45 mph46.1 mph
60 mph61.5 mph
70 mph71.8 mph
80 mph82.0 mph

Other sizes close to 275/40R20

Questions

Can I replace 275/40R20 with 265/45R20?

265/45R20 is a safe swap for 275/40R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.54%.

What's the difference between 275/40R20 and 265/45R20?

265/45R20 is 0.73" taller and 10 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.36". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.5 mph.

Will 265/45R20 fit on 275/40R20 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.