275/60R20 vs 275/65R20
275/65R20 is 1.08 in (27.5 mm) taller than 275/60R20 (+3.28%). Ground clearance at the axle changes by about +0.54 in. At an indicated 60 mph you would really be going 62.0 mph. That is more than a 3% change in diameter, so check clearance, gearing and speedometer calibration.
Side by side
Solid blue = 275/60R20, dashed orange = 275/65R20. Drawn to scale.
| Measurement | A275/60R20 | B275/65R20 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter | 32.99 in838.0 mm | 34.07 in865.5 mm | +1.08 in+27.5 mm+3.28% |
| Section width | 10.83 in275.0 mm | 10.83 in275.0 mm | 0.00 in0.0 mm0.00% |
| Sidewall height | 6.50 in165.0 mm | 7.04 in178.8 mm | +0.54 in+13.8 mm+8.33% |
| Circumference | 103.65 in2632.7 mm | 107.05 in2719.0 mm | +3.40 in+86.4 mm+3.28% |
| Aspect ratio | 60.0% | 65.0% | +5.0 pts |
| Revolutions per mile | 611.3 | 591.9 | -19.4-3.18% |
Open this comparison in the calculator to change either size.
Speedometer error
| Speedometer shows | Actual speed | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 20 mph | 20.7 mph | +0.7 mph |
| 30 mph | 31.0 mph | +1.0 mph |
| 40 mph | 41.3 mph | +1.3 mph |
| 50 mph | 51.6 mph | +1.6 mph |
| 60 mph | 62.0 mph | +2.0 mph |
| 70 mph | 72.3 mph | +2.3 mph |
| 80 mph | 82.6 mph | +2.6 mph |
What changes
Both are the same width, so the difference is all in the sidewall. Both mount on a 20 in wheel.
Each mile, 275/60R20 turns about 611 times and 275/65R20 about 592 times. Fewer turns per mile means the speedometer and odometer read low by roughly 3.3% unless they are recalibrated, and the effective final drive ratio gets taller, which can feel like slightly less acceleration.
These figures are calculated from the size alone. Actual tires vary by brand and model, and fitment depends on your wheels and suspension, so check with a tire shop before buying.