TireSizeCheck

295/35R20 vs 255/35R20

Fit verdict

Marginal fit — proceed with care

Diameter change

−3.9%

The 3.9% diameter change is between 3% and 5%. It can work, but expect noticeable speedometer error and check wheel-well clearance, scrub radius and gearing before committing. Your speedometer will read higher than your true speed.

New overall diameter

27.03″

was 28.13″

True speed at an indicated 60

57.6 mph

speedometer reads high

Revolutions per mile

746

was 717 · +29

Switching from 295/35R20 to 255/35R20? Everything that changes is below — sidewall, tread width, circumference, revolutions per mile and speedometer error at road speeds.

Measurement 295/35R20 255/35R20 Change
Overall diameter 28.13″ 27.03″ −1.10″ (−3.9%)
Sidewall height 4.06″ (103.3 mm) 3.51″ (89.3 mm) −14.0 mm
Tread width 295 mm 255 mm −40 mm
Circumference 88.37″ 84.91″ −3.46″
Revs per mile 717 746 +29
Speedometer error baseline −3.9% reads high

Diameter overlay

295/35R20 255/35R20

Speedometer check

With 255/35R20 fitted, when the speedometer shows the indicated speed, your actual speed is:

25 mph shown

24.0 mph actual

35 mph shown

33.6 mph actual

45 mph shown

43.2 mph actual

55 mph shown

52.8 mph actual

65 mph shown

62.5 mph actual

75 mph shown

72.1 mph actual

Common questions

Will 255/35R20 fit instead of 295/35R20?
Marginal fit — proceed with care. The 3.9% diameter change is between 3% and 5%. It can work, but expect noticeable speedometer error and check wheel-well clearance, scrub radius and gearing before committing. Your speedometer will read higher than your true speed. Overall diameter goes from 28.13″ to 27.03″, a change of −3.9%. 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 255/35R20?
At an indicated 60 mph you would actually be travelling about 57.6 mph — a −3.9% error. The speedometer reads high, so you are going slower than it shows.
What is the difference in revolutions per mile between 295/35R20 and 255/35R20?
295/35R20 turns roughly 717 revolutions per mile; 255/35R20 turns roughly 746. That is a change of +29 revolutions per mile, which is what shifts odometer and speedometer readings.