CarSpecsHQ

255/35R21 vs 275/35R21

275/35R21 is a safe swap for 255/35R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.97%.

21" rim
255/35R21 28.03" · 275/35R21 28.58" · drawn to scale

Side by side

255/35R21275/35R21Difference
Overall diameter28.03"28.58"+0.55" (+1.97%)
Section width255 mm275 mm+20 mm
Sidewall3.51"3.79"+0.28"
Rim21"21"same
Circumference88.1"89.8"+1.7"
Revs per mile720706-14
Ride height——+0.28"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.061.2+1.2 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 61.2 mph

With 275/35R21 on a car calibrated for 255/35R21, the speedometer reads 58.8 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 2.0%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.6 mph
45 mph45.9 mph
60 mph61.2 mph
70 mph71.4 mph
80 mph81.6 mph

Other sizes close to 255/35R21

Questions

Can I replace 255/35R21 with 275/35R21?

275/35R21 is a safe swap for 255/35R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.97%.

What's the difference between 255/35R21 and 275/35R21?

275/35R21 is 0.55" taller and 20 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.28". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 61.2 mph.

Will 275/35R21 fit on 255/35R21 wheels?

Both use a 21" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 275 mm tire and the fender clearance.