CarSpecsHQ

255/35R21 vs 315/30R21

315/30R21 is a safe swap for 255/35R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.47%.

21" rim
255/35R21 28.03" · 315/30R21 28.44" · drawn to scale

Side by side

255/35R21315/30R21Difference
Overall diameter28.03"28.44"+0.41" (+1.47%)
Section width255 mm315 mm+60 mm
Sidewall3.51"3.72"+0.21"
Rim21"21"same
Circumference88.1"89.3"+1.3"
Revs per mile720709-10
Ride height——+0.21"
Speedometer reads 60 mph60.060.9+0.9 mph

Speedometer and odometer

020406080100120 reads 60 · actual 60.9 mph

With 315/30R21 on a car calibrated for 255/35R21, the speedometer reads 59.1 mph when you're really doing 60, and the odometer under-counts by 1.5%.

Speedo showsActual speed
30 mph30.4 mph
45 mph45.7 mph
60 mph60.9 mph
70 mph71.0 mph
80 mph81.2 mph

Other sizes close to 255/35R21

Questions

Can I replace 255/35R21 with 315/30R21?

315/30R21 is a safe swap for 255/35R21 by the usual ±3% rule: the diameter differs by +1.47%.

What's the difference between 255/35R21 and 315/30R21?

315/30R21 is 0.41" taller and 60 mm wider; the sidewall is +0.21". At an indicated 60 mph you'd actually be doing 60.9 mph.

Will 315/30R21 fit on 255/35R21 wheels?

Both use a 21" rim, so the wheel diameter matches; check the wheel's width range for a 315 mm tire and the fender clearance.