CarSpecsHQ

255/35R21 vs 245/40R21

245/40R21 is a safe swap for 255/35R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.46%.

21" rim
255/35R21 28.03" · 245/40R21 28.72" · drawn to scale

Side by side

255/35R21245/40R21Difference
Overall diameter28.03"28.72"+0.69" (+2.46%)
Section width255 mm245 mm-10 mm
Sidewall3.51"3.86"+0.34"
Rim21"21"same
Circumference88.1"90.2"+2.2"
Revs per mile720702-17
Ride height——+0.34"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.5+1.5 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.5 mph

With 245/40R21 on a car calibrated for 255/35R21, the speedometer reads 58.6 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.5%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.7 mph
45 mph46.1 mph
60 mph61.5 mph
70 mph71.7 mph
80 mph82.0 mph

Other sizes close to 255/35R21

Questions

Can I replace 255/35R21 with 245/40R21?

245/40R21 is a safe swap for 255/35R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +2.46%.

What's the difference between 255/35R21 and 245/40R21?

245/40R21 is 0.69" taller and 10 mm narrower; the sidewall is +0.34". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.5 mph.

Will 245/40R21 fit on 255/35R21 wheels?

Both use a 21" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 245 mm tire and the fender clearance.