CarSpecsHQ

275/45R20 vs 235/55R20

235/55R20 is a safe swap for 275/45R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.46%.

20" rim
275/45R20 29.74" · 235/55R20 30.18" · drawn to scale

Side by side

275/45R20235/55R20Difference
Overall diameter29.74"30.18"+0.43" (+1.46%)
Section width275 mm235 mm-40 mm
Sidewall4.87"5.09"+0.22"
Rim20"20"same
Circumference93.4"94.8"+1.4"
Revs per mile678668-10
Ride height——+0.22"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.9+0.9 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.9 mph

With 235/55R20 on a car calibrated for 275/45R20, the speedometer reads 59.1 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.5%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.4 mph
45 mph45.7 mph
60 mph60.9 mph
70 mph71.0 mph
80 mph81.2 mph

Other sizes close to 275/45R20

Questions

Can I replace 275/45R20 with 235/55R20?

235/55R20 is a safe swap for 275/45R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.46%.

What's the difference between 275/45R20 and 235/55R20?

235/55R20 is 0.43" taller and 40 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.22". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.9 mph.

Will 235/55R20 fit on 275/45R20 wheels?

Both use a 20" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 235 mm tire and the fender clearance.