275/65R20 vs 285/55R20
New overall diameter
32.34″
was 34.07″
True speed at an indicated 60
56.9 mph
speedometer reads high
Revolutions per mile
624
was 592 · +32
Switching from 275/65R20 to 285/55R20? Everything that changes is below — sidewall, tread width, circumference, revolutions per mile and speedometer error at road speeds.
| Measurement | 275/65R20 | 285/55R20 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter | 34.07″ | 32.34″ | −1.73″ (−5.1%) |
| Sidewall height | 7.04″ (178.8 mm) | 6.17″ (156.8 mm) | −22.0 mm |
| Tread width | 275 mm | 285 mm | +10 mm |
| Circumference | 107.05″ | 101.61″ | −5.44″ |
| Revs per mile | 592 | 624 | +32 |
| Speedometer error | baseline | −5.1% | reads high |
Diameter overlay
275/65R20 285/55R20
Speedometer check
With 285/55R20 fitted, when the speedometer shows the indicated speed, your actual speed is:
25 mph shown
23.7 mph actual
35 mph shown
33.2 mph actual
45 mph shown
42.7 mph actual
55 mph shown
52.2 mph actual
65 mph shown
61.7 mph actual
75 mph shown
71.2 mph actual
Common questions
- Will 285/55R20 fit instead of 275/65R20?
- Not recommended. A 5.1% diameter change exceeds the 5% rule. Expect significant speedometer error, potential clearance and rubbing issues, and stress on ABS, stability control and drivetrain components. Your speedometer will read higher than your true speed. Overall diameter goes from 34.07″ to 32.34″, a change of −5.1%. 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 285/55R20?
- At an indicated 60 mph you would actually be travelling about 56.9 mph — a −5.1% error. The speedometer reads high, so you are going slower than it shows.
- What is the difference in revolutions per mile between 275/65R20 and 285/55R20?
- 275/65R20 turns roughly 592 revolutions per mile; 285/55R20 turns roughly 624. That is a change of +32 revolutions per mile, which is what shifts odometer and speedometer readings.