CarSpecsHQ

275/50R20 vs 255/55R20

255/55R20 is a safe swap for 275/50R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.70%.

20" rim
275/50R20 30.83" · 255/55R20 31.04" · drawn to scale

Side by side

275/50R20255/55R20Difference
Overall diameter30.83"31.04"+0.22" (+0.70%)
Section width275 mm255 mm-20 mm
Sidewall5.41"5.52"+0.11"
Rim20"20"same
Circumference96.8"97.5"+0.7"
Revs per mile654650-5
Ride height——+0.11"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.4+0.4 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.4 mph

With 255/55R20 on a car calibrated for 275/50R20, the speedometer reads 59.6 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 0.7%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.2 mph
45 mph45.3 mph
60 mph60.4 mph
70 mph70.5 mph
80 mph80.6 mph

Other sizes close to 275/50R20

Questions

Can I replace 275/50R20 with 255/55R20?

255/55R20 is a safe swap for 275/50R20 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +0.70%.

What's the difference between 275/50R20 and 255/55R20?

255/55R20 is 0.22" taller and 20 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.11". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.4 mph.

Will 255/55R20 fit on 275/50R20 wheels?

Both use a 20" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 255 mm tire and the fender clearance.