Question 1

Which tire is taller, 255/50 R20 or 265/40 R21?

Accepted Answer

255/50 R20 is taller by 17.6 mm (2.31%) compared with 265/40 R21.

Question 2

What is the diameter difference between 255/50 R20 and 265/40 R21?

Accepted Answer

255/50 R20 measures 763 mm overall diameter, 265/40 R21 measures 745 mm — a difference of 17.6 mm (2.31%).

Question 3

How much speedometer error does this change create?

Accepted Answer

Switching from 255/50 R20 to 265/40 R21 changes the speedometer reading by -2.31%. At an indicated 100 km/h, your true speed becomes about 97.7 km/h.

Question 4

Is 265/40 R21 a safe replacement for 255/50 R20?

Accepted Answer

Within ±3% diameter — generally considered a safe replacement from a speedometer-error standpoint, provided wheel offset, rim width and clearance also match your vehicle.

Question 5

What else should I check before changing tire size?

Accepted Answer

Beyond diameter and speedometer error, verify wheel offset (ET), rim width, hub bore, load index, brake and suspension clearance, and your vehicle's manufacturer specification. Local regulations may also limit how far you can deviate from OEM.

Metric	255/50 R20	265/40 R21	Difference
Overall diameter	763.0 mm	745.4 mm	-17.6 mm (-2.31%)
Sidewall height	127.5 mm	106.0 mm	-21.5 mm
Circumference	2.397 m	2.342 m	-55.3 mm
Revs / km	417.2	427.0	+9.9
Ground clearance	reference	-8.8 mm	-8.8 mm
Speedometer @ 100 km/h	100.0 km/h	97.7 km/h	-2.31 km/h

255/50 R20 vs 265/40 R21

Detailed comparison

Verdict: excellent

Related comparisons

Frequently asked questions