CarSpecsHQ

245/45R21 vs 255/45R21

255/45R21 is a safe swap for 245/45R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.19%.

21" rim
245/45R21 29.68" · 255/45R21 30.04" · drawn to scale

Side by side

245/45R21255/45R21Difference
Overall diameter29.68"30.04"+0.35" (+1.19%)
Section width245 mm255 mm+10 mm
Sidewall4.34"4.52"+0.18"
Rim21"21"same
Circumference93.2"94.4"+1.1"
Revs per mile679671-8
Ride height——+0.18"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.7+0.7 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.7 mph

With 255/45R21 on a car calibrated for 245/45R21, the speedometer reads 59.3 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.2%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.4 mph
45 mph45.5 mph
60 mph60.7 mph
70 mph70.8 mph
80 mph81.0 mph

Other sizes close to 245/45R21

Questions

Can I replace 245/45R21 with 255/45R21?

255/45R21 is a safe swap for 245/45R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.19%.

What's the difference between 245/45R21 and 255/45R21?

255/45R21 is 0.35" taller and 10 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.18". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.7 mph.

Will 255/45R21 fit on 245/45R21 wheels?

Both use a 21" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 255 mm tire and the fender clearance.