255/50R20 vs 255/55R20
Side-by-side comparison of overall diameter, sidewall height, speedometer error, and ride-height change.
Not recommended — Exceeds the 3% diameter limit — speedometer error and ABS/TPMS issues likely.
To scale
255/50R20
- Section width
- 255 mm
- Aspect ratio
- 50%
- Rim diameter
- 20"
- Sidewall
- 127.5 mm
- Overall diameter
- 763.0 mm
- Circumference
- 2397 mm
- Revs / mile
- 671
- Revs / km
- 417
255/55R20
- Section width
- 255 mm
- Aspect ratio
- 55%
- Rim diameter
- 20"
- Sidewall
- 140.3 mm
- Overall diameter
- 788.5 mm
- Circumference
- 2477 mm
- Revs / mile
- 650
- Revs / km
- 404
Difference
- Overall diameter
- +25.5 mm (+3.34%)
- Sidewall height
- +12.8 mm
- Tread width
- +0 mm
- Ride height (axle)
- +12.8 mm
- Speedometer error
- +3.34%
- At indicated 60 mph
- actual 62.0 mph
- At indicated 100 km/h
- actual 103.3 km/h
Will 255/55R20 fit instead of 255/50R20?
The overall diameter changes by 3.34%. Most manufacturers consider a swap acceptable when the difference stays under 3% — beyond that, you may see speedometer error, ABS/TPMS warnings, or wheel-well clearance problems. This page only covers the math; your vehicle's wheel arches, suspension geometry, and load rating still matter.
What the numbers mean
- Overall diameter — outside-to-outside height of the tire. Affects ride height, gearing, and speedometer calibration.
- Sidewall height — rubber from rim edge to tread. Lower sidewall gives sharper steering response but a harsher ride.
- Speedometer error — how far off your indicated speed will be after the swap. Positive means the speedo under-reads (actual speed is higher than shown).