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275/55R20 vs 325/60R20

325/60R20 is +3.44″ in overall diameter and +50 mm in section width against 275/55R20 — a diameter change of +10.80%, which breaks the ±3% substitution rule. An indicated 60 mph would really be 66.5 mph.

Outside 3%

Every dimension

Difference between 275/55R20 and 325/60R20
Dimension275/55R20325/60R20Change
Overall diameter31.91″ → 35.35″+3.44″ (+10.80%)
Section width275 mm → 325 mm+50 mm (+18.18%)
Sidewall height151.3 mm → 195.0 mm+43.8 mm
Rolling circumference100.25″ → 111.07″+10.82″
Revolutions per mile632.0 → 570.5−61.6
Axle height / clearance15.95″ → 17.68″+1.72″
275/55R20275 mm
325/60R20325 mm
Scale drawing comparing 275/55R20 and 325/60R20, both standing on the same ground line
275/55R20 31.91″325/60R20 35.35″

Which is taller, 275/55R20 or 325/60R20?

325/60R20 is the taller of the two, at 35.35″ against 31.91″. The gap is 3.44 inches, or 87.5 mm.

Both are metric sizes, so neither states its height directly. Both figures below are derived from the section width, aspect ratio and wheel diameter in the code. 275/55R20 is 275 mm wide with a 151.3 mm sidewall on a 20 wheel; 325/60R20 is 325 mm wide with a 195.0 mm sidewall on a 20 wheel.

What the speedometer will read

Indicated versus actual speed after the size change
Speedometer readsActual speedError
25 mph27.7 mph+2.7 mph
40 mph44.3 mph+4.3 mph
55 mph60.9 mph+5.9 mph
60 mph66.5 mph+6.5 mph
70 mph77.6 mph+7.6 mph
80 mph88.6 mph+8.6 mph

Fitting 325/60R20 in place of 275/55R20 multiplies every speed and distance reading by 1.10796. Over 10,000 indicated miles the odometer is out by +1,080 miles.

Effective gearing moves by the same proportion. A vehicle with 3.73 axles running 275/55R20 would need 4.13 to keep the same engine speed on 325/60R20. Work it out for your own axle ratio.

Full specification of each size

275/55R20

Derived dimensions for 275/55R20
DimensionMetricImperial
Section width275.0 mm10.83″
Sidewall height151.3 mm5.95″
Wheel diameter508.0 mm20.0″
Overall diameter810.5 mm31.91″
Rolling circumference2,546.3 mm100.25″
Revolutions per mile392.7 / km632.0 / mile
Measuring rim (estimate)216 mm8.5″

325/60R20

Derived dimensions for 325/60R20
DimensionMetricImperial
Section width325.0 mm12.80″
Sidewall height195.0 mm7.68″
Wheel diameter508.0 mm20.0″
Overall diameter898.0 mm35.35″
Rolling circumference2,821.2 mm111.07″
Revolutions per mile354.5 / km570.5 / mile
Measuring rim (estimate)254 mm10″

Rim widths differ too: 275/55R20 is designed for 8″9.5″ and 325/60R20 for 9.5″11″. Their measuring rims differ, so the same wheel will not be ideal for both.

Can you swap one for the other?

Outside the ±3% rule

The diameter difference of +10.80% exceeds the ±3% rule of thumb. Expect a speedometer error of about 6.5 mph at an indicated 60, and an odometer that is off by the same proportion. It is a common swap even so — it just needs the instruments recalibrated to stay honest.

Neither figure says anything about physical fitment. Whether 325/60R20 clears the strut, the fender liner and the steering stops depends on wheel offset and suspension geometry that a size code does not encode. For maintenance rather than sizing, Car Basics covers tire care.

275/55R20 vs 325/60R20: common questions

Is 325/60R20 bigger than 275/55R20?
325/60R20 is 3.44 inches taller and 50 mm wider. In overall diameter that is +10.80%, which exceeds the ±3% rule of thumb for a substitution.
How much will 325/60R20 throw off my speedometer?
Every reading scales by 1.10796. An indicated 60 mph becomes 66.5 mph, and every 100 miles on the odometer is really 110.8 miles.
How much does 325/60R20 change ground clearance over 275/55R20?
The axle centerline moves by 1.72 inches — half the diameter change, because half the extra height sits below the hub and half above it.
Will 325/60R20 fit where 275/55R20 fits?
Nothing derived from the size code can answer that. Clearance depends on wheel offset, suspension travel and body dimensions that no tire size contains. This page tells you exactly what changes dimensionally, which is the part that can be calculated.

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