235/55R19 vs 255/45R20
Fitting 255/45R20 in place of 235/55R19 changes rolling diameter by −0.5%, which is inside the 3% tolerance the industry treats as a safe substitution. The tyre is shorter and 20 mm wider, so you need roughly 1.8 mm of extra room at the top of the arch and at the strut. Speedometer error stays small enough that most drivers never notice it, and ABS and traction control will continue to work from calibration.
- Diameter change
- −0.49%
- −3.6 mm
- Ride height
- −1.8 mm
- half the diameter change
- Tread width
- +20 mm
- 255 mm section
- Speedo at 60
- 59.7
- true mph when the dial reads 60
Side by side
| Measure | 235/55R19 | 255/45R20 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter | 29.18″ | 29.04″ | −0.49% |
| Section width | 235 mm | 255 mm | +20 mm |
| Sidewall height | 129.3 mm | 114.8 mm | −14.5 mm |
| Rim diameter | 19″ | 20″ | +1″ |
| Revolutions / mile | 691 | 695 | +3 |
Questions about this swap
›Can I fit 255/45R20 instead of 235/55R19?
Yes, in most cases. The −0.5% diameter change is inside the 3% tolerance for a safe substitution, provided load index and speed rating match or exceed the original.
›How much will my speedometer be out with 255/45R20 instead of 235/55R19?
By about 0.5%. At an indicated 60 mph you would actually be doing 59.7 mph, so the dial over-reads your true speed.
›Does fitting 255/45R20 change ride height from 235/55R19?
Yes, by roughly 1.8 mm. Rolling radius is half the diameter change, so the axle sits that much lower and you need the same amount of extra room above the tyre.
›Will my odometer read differently on 255/45R20 rather than 235/55R19?
It will read 0.5% high. Over 10,000 recorded miles that is about 49 miles of difference against the true distance travelled.
Want to try other sizes? Open the calculator.