TireSizeCheck

275/50R21 vs 265/60R20

Fit verdict

Good fit

Diameter change

+2.2%

Within the 3% rule — overall diameter changes only 2.2%. Speedometer calibration, ABS, traction control and gearing all stay in their intended range. Your speedometer will read lower than your true speed.

New overall diameter

32.52″

was 31.83″

True speed at an indicated 60

61.3 mph

speedometer reads low

Revolutions per mile

620

was 634 · −14

Switching from 275/50R21 to 265/60R20? Everything that changes is below — sidewall, tread width, circumference, revolutions per mile and speedometer error at road speeds.

Measurement 275/50R21 265/60R20 Change
Overall diameter 31.83″ 32.52″ +0.69″ (+2.2%)
Sidewall height 5.41″ (137.5 mm) 6.26″ (159.0 mm) +21.5 mm
Tread width 275 mm 265 mm −10 mm
Circumference 99.99″ 102.16″ +2.18″
Revs per mile 634 620 −14
Speedometer error baseline +2.2% reads low

Diameter overlay

275/50R21 265/60R20

Speedometer check

With 265/60R20 fitted, when the speedometer shows the indicated speed, your actual speed is:

25 mph shown

25.5 mph actual

35 mph shown

35.8 mph actual

45 mph shown

46.0 mph actual

55 mph shown

56.2 mph actual

65 mph shown

66.4 mph actual

75 mph shown

76.6 mph actual

Common questions

Will 265/60R20 fit instead of 275/50R21?
Good fit. Within the 3% rule — overall diameter changes only 2.2%. Speedometer calibration, ABS, traction control and gearing all stay in their intended range. Your speedometer will read lower than your true speed. Overall diameter goes from 31.83″ to 32.52″, a change of +2.2%. As a rule of thumb, under 3% is safe, 3–5% needs a clearance check, and over 5% is not recommended.
How far off will my speedometer read on 265/60R20?
At an indicated 60 mph you would actually be travelling about 61.3 mph — a +2.2% error. The speedometer reads low, so you are going faster than it shows.
What is the difference in revolutions per mile between 275/50R21 and 265/60R20?
275/50R21 turns roughly 634 revolutions per mile; 265/60R20 turns roughly 620. That is a change of −14 revolutions per mile, which is what shifts odometer and speedometer readings.